55 of the
1,737 complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer are about the
lighting — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
96,206 miles.
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE ELECTRIC TO GO HAYWIRE. THE OVERHEAD LAMP CLICKS ON AND OFF THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. SOME OF MY GAUGES WILL DECIDE NOT TO WORK SOMETIMES AND THEN OTHER TIMES WE'LL BE FINE. MY RADIO CLOCK DOES NOT WORK. ALL HAPPENS THE SAME WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR NOT WHETHER I'M PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING IT'S CAUSING THIS
NHTSA complaint #11385724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 280,000 milesLodi, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE ELECTRICAL ON MY VEHICLE IS BAD. MY RADIO LIGHTS FLASH, NONE OF MY DOORS OPEN FROM TE INSIDE AND ONLY ROLL DOWN WINDOWS FROM DIVER SWITCTH; GAS GAYGE ONLY READS EMPRY ALTHOUGH I J UST PUT 30 DOLLARS IN THE TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10870925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesPort Chester, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE WERE SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. TO BE EXACT, FROM "HAZARDS BUTTON" ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN BEHIND STEERING. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT ONLY FEW SECONDS AND STOP. MY GARAGE MECHANIC CHANGED ASSEMBLY WITH "TURN SIGNAL WIPER SWITCH" AND I THINK FIXED IT. IT IS SCARY SINCE IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10308672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,113 milesSummerfield, NCFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE UTILIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V072000 AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSUME LIABILITY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 93,113.
NHTSA complaint #10277626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,493 milesOzark, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED FOR TEN SECONDS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,493. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10216301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,455 milesLewisburg, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BLINKED FOUR TIMES AND THEN BECAME STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,475 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,455.
NHTSA complaint #10201967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,300 milesWoburn, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DEACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 11/09/06.
NHTSA complaint #10168350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,300 milesWoburn, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DEACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 11/09/06.
NHTSA complaint #10168350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,725 milesFairmont, WV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL BLINKED 3 TIMES THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE EMERGENCY BLINKER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL BECAME A STEADY LIGHT. I PLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED IT BACK ON, SAME THING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, IF I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS DAY AND HAS NOT REPEATED. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS TO REPEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10159243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL BLINKED 3 TIMES THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE EMERGENCY BLINKER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL BECAME A STEADY LIGHT. I PLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED IT BACK ON, SAME THING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, IF I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS DAY AND HAS NOT REPEATED. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS TO REPEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10159243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,725 milesFairmont, WV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, BLINKER FLASHED 3 TIMES THEN WENT STEADY, UPON GOING STEADY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. UPON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION SMOKE STOPS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IS MY VEHICLE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE? WAS THERE A RECALL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF?
NHTSA complaint #10159250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, BLINKER FLASHED 3 TIMES THEN WENT STEADY, UPON GOING STEADY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. UPON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION SMOKE STOPS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IS MY VEHICLE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE? WAS THERE A RECALL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF?
NHTSA complaint #10159250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DT: CONTACT STATES THE INSIDE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE GENERIC ELECTRIC MODULE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10124461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT: CONTACT STATES THE INSIDE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE GENERIC ELECTRIC MODULE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10124461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesDenver, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
AFTER SITTING IN A TURN LANE FOR 2-3 MINUTES WITH TURN SIGNAL ON, WISPS OF SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. UPON REPEATING THE SCENARIO IN DRIVEWAY SAME WISPS OF SMOKE WERE OBSERVED, AND ORANGE GLOW COULD BE SEEN INSIDE STEERING COLUMN WHEN LOOKING THROUGH CRACKS AROUND HAZARD WARNING FLASHER BUTTON. IN BOTH INSTANCES, TURN SIGNALS BEING TURNED OFF STOPPED THE SMOKE BEFORE ANY DAMAGE COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND TURN SIGNAL MODULE WAS REPLACED. OLD PART WAS NOT RETURNED TO ME. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE MODULE HAD SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10118538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesLittleton, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE ENTIRE WINDOW, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WAIT UNTIL THE TURN WAS MADE BEFORE GOING OFF. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SOMETHING MAY HAVE COME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED A GAS LEAK WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE WIPER AND TURN SIGNAL UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10089275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THE TURN SIGNAL SHIFT POPPED UP WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS USED.
NHTSA complaint #10019432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK. SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK? DT
NHTSA complaint #768654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY ONLY BY OTHER VEHICLE LIGHTS. POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH AUTO LAMP SWITCH IN VEHICLE. AFTER VEHICLE SAT FOR A WHILE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND DASH SWITCH AND TURN ON LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK AT 65 MPH. MR
NHTSA complaint #767843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm City, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
WHEN PUTTING ON TURN SIGNAL SIGNAL STARTED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8012992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, MACrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
CONSUMER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN, CONSUMER BEGAN HEARING AN ODD N OISE IN AUGUST 2000, AND IN APRIL 2001, AT THAT TIME DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP HOWEVER DID REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY, AND THE JOINT ASSEMBLY SPINDLE-ARM, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE OUTER TIE-ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED, LOWER STEERING SHAFT WHICH WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK AND PINION, ALSO PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8003482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearl, MS
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, ( THIS PROBABLY HAPPENS DURING THE DAY ALSO BUT ISN'T AS NOTICABLE) DASH LIGHTS, DOOR PANEL LIGHTS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS GO OUT FREQUENTLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE "UNABLE" TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND KNOW OF NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS HAVE SO FAR QUICKLY COME BACK ON. HOWEVER EACH TIME THEY GO OUT, THEY STAY OUT A LITTLE LONGER.
NHTSA complaint #754855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lilburn, GAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE FLASHER TURNED ON SOLID (NO LONGER FLASHING) AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE EMERGENCY FLASHER BUTTON. SMOKE STOPPED WHEN I RETURNED THE SWITCH TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. RIGHT TURN POSITION NOT AFFECTED. I REPLACED THE SWITCH ON MY OWN - PART COST APPROXIMATELY $60.00 AND NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THESE WERE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON (SHORT/ELECTRICAL FIRE) THAT I EXPERIENCED. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #754721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHEN USING LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM SWITCH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.
NHTSA complaint #897405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hurst, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
WHEN SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND SMOKE BEGINS TO RISE FROM A SMALL OPENING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. RETURNING THE SWITCH TO THE NUETRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. SOME 1999 EXPLORERS ARE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBERS 00S04 & 00B40 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITH IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE TIME OF MY VIN OR THAT USE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm BAY, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED TO DEALER THAT STEERING WHEEL SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL. STEERING MAKES DASHBOARD RUMBLE LIKE FRONT END HAS HYDRAULICS. TURNING VEHICLE RIGHT OR LEFT, STEERING SHUTTERS HARD. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF POWER STEERING ONCE A WEEK. DEALER FOUND POWER STEERING LEAKING, AND REPLACED RACK AND PINION AND REALIGNED VEHICLE. ON 6-29-01, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. *AK THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE BRAKES SQUEAK AND THE DEALER TREATED THE PADS WITH AN ANTI SQUEAK SOLUTION, THE A/C BLOWS OUT WARM AIR DUE TO A LEAKY COMPRESSOR AND O-RING, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP, PASSENGER SIDE GOODYEAR TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE SHAKES WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #894373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hurst, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
WHEN SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND SMOKE BEGINS TO RISE FROM A SMALL OPENING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. RETURNING THE SWITCH TO THE NUETRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. SOME 1999 EXPLORERS ARE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBERS 00S04 & 00B40 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITH IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE TIME OF MY VIN OR THAT USE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levelland, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN TILT POSITION .
NHTSA complaint #885205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Custer, SD
INTERIOR LIGHTING
BACK UP LIGHT ON RADIO FLICKER ON/OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER FEARS THAT IT MAY BE A SHORT THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. FORD HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK ALSO, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON SOMETIMES. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS OVER THE REAR SEAT FAILED. THE CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #882183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE USING MY TURN SIGNALS TURNING LEFT I NOTICED THE FLASHER ON THE DASH HAD FROZEN AND THAT SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON AND ALSO OUT OF THE BASE OF THE TURN SIGNAL STEM. THIS CAN BE REPEATED ALMOST EVERY TIME I USE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THE DEALSHIP WILL BE LOOKING AT IT ON 10/27/2000.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHL)
NHTSA complaint #735228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.