Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the vehicle burst into flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact did not mention if there were any injuries. The fire department confirmed that cause of the fire was electrical. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the fire and filed a complaint. The contact was concerned that the fire could have caused serious injuries. The failure mileage was 23,000.
1998 Ford Explorer electrical complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 114, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl. The contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated while sleeping the contact heard a loud bomb. The contact looked out the window and the vehicle burst into flames. The contact called the fire dept. To put out the fire. No one was injured nor was any property damage. The contact called the manufacturer regarding any recalls and the manufacturer informed the contact the vehicle has no outstanding recalls. The fire dept. Determined the fire was started by a electrical component on the driver side. The contact stated someone could have been seriously injured due to the fire. The failure mileage was 150,000. Jo
Cigarette lighter caused wiring harness to burn. Smoke filled the cabin when lighter stuck and immediately turned off vehicle. Afterward several exterior and interior lights stayed on. The rear wipers were also activated.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that the turn signals were inoperable. The dealer replaced the directional control arm yet the failure recurred within a year. The directional control arm was replaced a second time by the dealer. He also noticed that the wires were discolored and stated that the vehicle needed several additional repairs. The contact declined to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the control arm did not need an additional replacement but suggested replacing the fuse. On a separate occasion, while using the turn signals, the turn signal switch inside began smoking. There were no additional repairs made to the vehicle or related recalls. The manufacturer stated that since there were no recalls, they would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 112,000 and the current was 191,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While trying to use the lighter in the vehicle, it began to smoke. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and no action was taken. The current and failure mileages were not available.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers in the vehicle would randomly stop working. This causes dangerous driving conditions in rainy weather. A mechanic stated that the electronic module in the wiper/washermotor was defective. The contact found the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v072000, the federal safety agency action number pe99049 (electrical system:fuses and circuit breakers) on the federal safety agency website. He called the manufacturer and was informed that his VIN was not included in the recall. The contact believes that his vehicle should be included because the failures were identical. The current and failure mileages were 42,000. Updated 09/01/09. *lj updated 09/04/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact was awakened in the early morning hours because his vehicle caught fire while parked. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the flames were coming from under the hood on the driver's side, next to the wheel well. A couple of minutes later, the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police and fire report were filed. The fire department determined that the fire was caused by electrical failure under the hood. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed to call his insurance company to have them file a complaint against ford. The insurance company stated that because the contact only had liability insurance, they could not file a complaint against the ford manufacturer. The insurance company advised the contact to have the vehicle inspected by an electrical engineer to determine the cause of the failure. The engineer stataed that the cost to inspect the vehicle would be $250 per hour. The vehicle has not yet been inspected. The failure mileage was 147,000.
Last night I pulled into my driveway after coming home from work, my family had dinner and I was sitting down in the living room to play with my 2 year old son. I heard a popping sound and asked my wife what was that noise, she looked out the window and yelled your car is on fire ! My car burned to the ground!!!
Ford explorer 1998 date 8-3-06 I have had this car for three years. I have never had any major or minor problems. I have regular required maintenance done (example) fluid changes and brakes. Early february. I noticed around november 2005, my cruise control stopped working. I didn't take it to be checked; I didn't think it was a big issue. I noticed when starting my car, the battery sounded weak. I took the car to ntb to have the battery checked. The battery was bad and was replaced with the exide 72 month battery. I had never the battery replaced. Ntb installed the new battery on february 5, 2006. I drive this car to and from work regularly, about 12 miles. On february 28, 2006, leaving work heading home, I stopped at the grocery store about 1 mile from my house. I left the store and went home. After turning the engine off approximately 5 minutes later standing on my porch, I noticed heavy white smoke coming from under my hood behind the battery area. I ran to my car and opened the door and released the hood. When I raised the hood, I saw the heavy smoke coming from what appeared to be near the wiring in front of the master cylinder. I ran in the house to call 911 and get a fire extinguisher. When I went back to the car under hood area was fully involved in flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. After hearing and reading the reports about the cruise control switch, I really think this is exactly what happened to my vehicle.
1998 ford explorer parked in garage had spontaneous fire in engine compartment department put out fire. This was a cruise control deactivation switch fire. It may have been reported to you by police, insurance, or fire dept. If so, just let me know you have the information.
1998 ford explorer equipped with dual media (am/fm/cassette/cd) radio; there is a failure of the graphics display (I.e. Time, station identity). The display sporadically lights up briefly for a few seconds every few months. Also dashboard lights do not work at gas gauge.
Ford explorer 1998 date 8-3-06 I've had this car for three years. I've never had any major or minor problems. I have regular required maintenance done (example) fluid changes and brakes. Early february. I noticed around november 2005, my cruise control stopped working. I didn't take it to be checked; I didn't think it was a big issue. I noticed when starting my car, the battery sounded weak. I took the car to ntb to have the battery checked. The battery was bad and was replaced with the exide 72 month battery. I had never the battery replaced. Ntb installed the new battery on february 5, 2006. I drive this car to and from work regularly, about 12 miles. On february 28, 2006, leaving work heading home, I stopped at the grocery store about 1 mile from my house. I left the store and went home. After turning the engine off approximately 5 minutes later standing on my porch, I noticed heavy white smoke coming from under my hood behind the battery area. I ran to my car and open the door and released the hood. When I raised the hood, I saw the heavy smoke coming from what appeared to be near are in front of the wiring in front of the master cylinder. I ran in the house to call 911 and get a fire extinguisher. When I went back to the car under hood area was fully involved in flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. After hearing and reading the reports about the cruise control switch, I really think this is exactly what happened to my vehicle.
1. My 1998 ford explorer xlt burst into flames with absolutely no warning while parked at my daughter's high school parking lot. 2. The vehicle was consumed by flames and is a total loss. The local fire department brought two units to put the fire out. 3. After filing my insurance claim, I researched the problem and found that the ford explorer poses a big fire risk. 4. Specifically, my cruise control stopped working 3 months ago and just as been documented by the federal safety agency, the defective cruise control caused the electrical fire. 5. I thank my lucky stars nobody was hurt....but if my explorer had been parked inside my apartment building this incident would have burned down my building. Pls let me know if you require additional documentation or photos.
1998 ford explorer, 5.0, sn [xxx], speed control after learning about the fires caused by the speed control on other ford vehicles I check the '98. Voltage is measured at the speed control disengage switch located on master cylinder. Using a voltage meter I measured 12 volts to this switch with the ignition switch in the off position with the key removed. This indicates that the switch is hot 100% of the time. I have not had a failure yet, but am concerned that this represents a possible failure in the future causing the vehicle to urn up. I have noted that there have been 16 failures and fires on 1998 ford explorers do to this problem. *jb updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
We returned home from a concert at approximately 11 pm on january 21,2006. This was the last time the vehicle was driven. On s january 22 2006 at approximately 8:30 am we were awakened by our fire department concerning 1998 ford explorer limited was in flames. No investigation was done , but they said it was an apparent electrical fire. Exploded front tires, busted windshield ,hood and grill demolished, engine compartment destroyed, both front fenders burnt , gas and brake pedals melted, dashboard damaged it is basically a total loss.
Dt: the contact stated the key did not unlock the doors. It still worked on the ignition and the rear door. The vehicle has not been to a dealership for a diagnosis. But according to the dealership the computer chip in the key failed. The dealership stated they could make a new key for the doors, but if it was put in the ignition it could damage the ignition.
After vehicle was parked for four hours a fire started under the hood. The fire was put out. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
To whom it may concern: I purchased a used 1998 ford explorer 13 months ago. On aug 15,2005 I started my truck up and I could not roll my windows down then I went on to testing the wind shield wipers ( front & back ) they did not work (this is a safety hazzard ) I tried the interior lights they did not work and as well as the 4x4 system. I had to get home so when as I was driving ( luckily it was not raining ) I randomly tested everything again still nothing worked, so I left the switches on and every now and then everything would come on for a split second. When I got home I was baffled and started looking through my owners manual, no info that could help me figure out what the problem could be. So I went online and did some research on ford explorers and its electronics. My search brought me to the recall sights and when I looked on that sight I noticed that I had found the same excact problems I am having as the 1999 & 2000 ford explorer recalls as well as 1999 & 2000 mercury mountainers which is by the ford company. They are under the title - component: electrical system, fuses, and circuit breakers and the federal safety agency recall # 00v072000 and the remedy for this problem is that the dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit. I called ford company and they are not willing to help me with this problem because my truck is not on the recall list and I feel that it should be and that someone needs to understand that if this problem is happening to the 1999 & 2000' s then it is happening to the 1998 as well, they are the same truck made with the same materials and only updated with more physical features or omitted out dated physical features. Unfortunatly I can't drive my truck now unless I know the weather is going to be clear of rain or other bad weather. I am not able to get it fixed because I can't afford it so I am stuck at the moment if anyone can help or advise it would be greatly appreciated - thank you david stansbury
At about 6:00 pm on saturday 13 aug 2005 I went into my garage to get something and noticed it was full of smoke. I saw smoke coming from under the hood of my 1998 ford explorer. When I raised the hood, flames rolled from beneath it. I immediately extinguished the fire and then disconnected the negative battery terminal. My wife had already called 911 by this time. The fire fighters determined the source of the electrical fire to be a connector on the brake master cylinder. I was very lucky to have caught the fire in time. If this had happened when we were sleeping we might not be alive now. I have not received a notice of recall for this. I am sending the vehicle to the dealership on monday, if this is not a recall part I will have to pay for the repairs. I think that people should know about this problem and probably not park their ford in the garage.
Dt: the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department checked it and concluded fire came from driver's front side around the battery. This happened on june 30, 2005. The vehicle was parked about 6 or 7 hours before it caught in fire. Contacted ford, they sent a letter saying sorry, but they didn't have any recalls on this type of vehicle.
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The engine caught on fire while the car was sitting there. This did happened on july 27, 2005. The firemen could not determine what started the fire. The vehicle had been sitting for approximately four hours before it caught on fire. The vehicle had not been driving any different before this happened.
My wife had the ford explorer parked outside the curves gym where she and her mother work out. When they were finished they were talking outside when her mother noticed smoke coming out othe the SUV. The explorer then caught on fire and burned.
5-5-05 3:30 a.m. Licking county fire department was called due to fire 0f my 1998 ford exployer. It had set for two days before the fire. Its not clear what caused the fire. Co-counsel, lieff cabraser representing owners of ford vechicles claims ford speed control deactivation switches. Also known as "brake pressure switch," powered by the battery and is mounted above flamable flammable reservoires of brake fluid. If certain conditions occur, a fire can break out, even when the engine had been turned off and, in some cases, idle for days.
Dt: on june 17, 2005 caller's vehicle caught on fire. This happened while vehicle was in the driveway turned off for about an hour. Caller said a passerby noticed the fire and warned her. Caller's fiance put the fire out and suffered smoke inhalation. He did not go to the hospital. Vehicle was totaled. No report was filed with fire department.
Fire started in vehicle in the garage of our home
I have a 1998 ford explorer, 5 liter, automatic, with cruise control. The safety disengage switch is on the master cylinder. With the ignition switch turned off there is still 12 volts going to that switch. The switch has a red body. My local ford dealer advises tht this is not a problem and there is not recall on this vehicle. This appears to be the same type switch setup as that in the ford vehicles that have caught on fire. Please advise if I have cause for concern. Presently I am disconnecting the switch when I park the vehicle in the garage.
On may 15, 2004, I was fishing in a local bass tournament. I parked my 1998 ford explorer beside one of my fishing friends chevy truck and boat trailer. After launching my partner for the days boat, I parked his truck and trailer on the other side of my explorer. Approximately 4 hours later, my partner and I were approched by another friend and told us we were needed back at the parking lot that my explorer had burned to the ground, burned the chevy with the trailer to the ground and scorched paint and melted parts of my partners truck. The chevy truck and my explorer were total losses and I lost a lot of personal items that insurance did not pay for. State farm claim # 18-1010-243
Hard to get vehicle out of park into drive for several days prior to the fire. About 2 hours after the vehicle had been parked, and engine turned off, a fire started under the hood, and destroyed the vehicle.
Vehicle was parked for an hour or more when it caught fire under the hood on the driver side. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was not determined at this time. The manufacturer was notified.
Vehicle was parked outside of the home and a few minutes later it caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
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