1998 Ford Explorer: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Electrical · 134,000 miles · CA · fire

My explorer had been parked in my driveway for well over 15 hours when I heard my neighbor screaming. The SUV was fully ignited into flames.just out of no where. I was able to get the fire out with my water hoses before the gotta department showed up but the entire vehicle is ruined and half my garage as well. The fire started down by the brakes and the entire vehicle was engolfed within seconds. Obviously it was electrical. Upon further investigation I believe it was the cruise control switch malfunction. My SUV had 134,000 miles on it and kept in immaculate condition. I will download the fire departments report once to get it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Acceleration · 96,160 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when the engine caught on fire. The fire department appeared on the scene to extinguish the fire. The contact was informed that the fire was electrical and originated near the cruise control switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 96,160. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Acceleration, Airbags · 50,000 miles · NV · crash · 2 injuries

1998 ford explorer VIN#[xxx] registered to the state of nevada; original owner: [xxx]...registered because of disability reasons to wife [xxx]...we were involved in a car crash accident...resulting to a total loss at baker, california because of the vehicle cruise control recall which could cause the tire to be treaded...pushing the car to be out of control..while the brake fluid leaking...and the air bag safety failed to develop (open). I think ford motor company is the primary responsible of the mechanical failure of the workmanship and the car design. I got in touch with their legal department: product recall & liability. The accident report# [xxx] ncic#[xxx]. The injured driver [xxx]; passenger and the permanent disabled passenger were taken to barstow community hospital emergency room. I need your help in removing all 1998 ford explorer from the road; this car could cause major & fatal injuries to the public at large. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 13, 2010 · Acceleration · 113,000 miles · AZ · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when it suddenly caught fire. The fire department was called but a neighbor extinguished the fire. The vehicle was still drivable. The vehicle had not been inspected to find the cause of the fire. The contact believed the failure was caused by the cruise control when he researched recall 09v399000 (vehicle speed control) which was related. The contact had not spoken with the dealer nor the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 113,000.

Filed Jan 20, 2010 · Acceleration · 220,000 miles · AL · fire

1998 ford explorer. Parked at restaurant, shut off vehicle, went inside. Approximately 10 minutes later someone yelled fire. Went outside to discover smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. Fire department called and responded quickly. Fire extinguished, but vehicle totaled. No injuries, no other property damage except burned hedges that were in front of the vehicle where it was parked. Tow truck driver remarked that it appeared possible that it was one of those cruise control caused fires as it is evident that the fire originated on or near the brake master cylinder. I am the original owner, my son was using the truck when the fire occurred and I am relating his recollection of the events. Vehicle was towed immediately afterwards to a holding yard and subsequently to my home where it is presently.

Filed Dec 29, 2009 · Acceleration · 160,000 miles · FL · fire

After sitting in the driveway for aprox 9 hours, the engine area caught on fire at 4am. Speculation is the cruise control switch ignited and caused the fire. The front end of the vehicle is completely destroyed, as is the interior with smoke damage.

Filed Feb 19, 2009 · Acceleration · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v286000 (vehicle speed control), but did not take the vehicle to the dealer for repair. She was awakened by a neighbor informing her that the vehicle was on fire. The entire front wiring system was melted. An investigator from the fire department speculated that the cruise control was the cause of the failure. The contact has pictures of the failed incident and she is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

Filed Dec 7, 2008 · Acceleration · 107,800 miles · CA · fire

1998 ford explorer spontaneously caught fire in engine compartment 8am, 12/02/08. Car was previously driven 12 hours prior to incident. Engine was not running. Doors were locked. No signs of entry prior to incident. Fire engulfed engine and spread to passenger compartment before alameda fire department extinguished vehicle. Insurance company has claimed vehicle as totaled and is investigating. Suspected cause is cruise control shutoff switch, subject to ford recall 05s28.

Filed Apr 26, 2008 · Acceleration · 153,000 miles · IN · fire

Fire in engine bay originating at the cruise control deactivation switch.

Filed Mar 7, 2008 · Acceleration · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact received a ford recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control switch in august of 2006. She called the dealer in august of 2007 and they stated that the parts would be unavailable until november. She called the dealer every other month and they stated that the parts would be unavailable until august of 2008. The contact refused to have the cruise control switch disconnected. The vehicle has not caught fire and there had been no failure to date. The transmission type, recall number, and powertrain were unknown. The current mileage was 105,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2007 · Acceleration · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact received a recall notice in august of 2007 for the vehicle speed cruise control switch. He called to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired and was informed that the parts would be unavailable until october. The contact called again and was informed that the parts would remain unavailable until march of 2008. He filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 101,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2007 · Seats · 150,000 miles · MN

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving 40 MPH, the driver's seat reclined towards the rear seat. The dealer stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v281000 (seats:front assembly:recliner). The dealer refuses to make the repair until the contact pays $400 to have another mechanism of the seat recliner repaired. The ford manufacturer stated that they knew nothing about technical issues and that the dealer would make the final decision. The seat has not been repaired. The vehicle does not have cruise control. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 176,000.