Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1992 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 38 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 38, in the owner's own words
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT PARKING LOT WHEN I TRIED STARTING IT UP AFTER MY GIRLS AND I GOT BACK IN CAR AFTER BEING AT MALL FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS FLAMES COMING OUT FROM BOTTOM AND TOP OF ENGINE AND FRONT DASH. THANK GOD WE GOT OUT IN TIME. MY CARS ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR EVERYTHING IS MELTED AND IM UNSURE HOW MUCH MORE IS DAMAGED SINCE IM NOT A MECHANIC. *TR
WENT TO FORD DEALER 3 MONTHS AGO ABOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID OXYGEN SENSOR OR COLD WEATHER IT BE FINE ON MY WAY HOME SUNDAY IT HAD A BAD MISS THEN FIRE SHOT THROUGH MY FLOOR BOARD AND DASH ALL MY DOORS INSTANTLY LOCKED I BARELY MADE IT OUT OF MY VEHICLE IF WIFE AND CHILDREN HAD BEEN IN PROB WOULDN'T BE HERE AT THE SECOND I MADE IT OUT OF MY CAR I TURNED AND WATCHED THE STEERING WHEEL HIT THE SEAT I OWN I 1992 FORD EXPLORER I CAN BE REACHED I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY LOCALLY. *TR
AT 5:30 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2006, I AWOKE TO A LOUD EXPLOSION. I WENT TO LOOK OUT MY KITCHEN WINDOW AND UNDER THE CARPORT OUR FORD EXPLORER HAD FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. AS I WAS TALKING TO 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE I HEARD ANOTHER EXPLOSION. HUNG UP QUICKLY TO GO AND GET ALL OF OUR 4 CHILDREN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND AS WE WERE GOING OUT HEARD ANOTHER EXPLOSION. THANK GOD WE ALL GOT OUT AND THE FIRE DEPT. GOT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE THE HOUSE WENT WITH THE FIRE. WE COULD SEE AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS BLOWN OFF AND THE BATTERY WAS BLOWN UP AS WELL AS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. WE WANT FORD TO BE NOTIFIED SO THAT NO ONE HAS TO ENDURE A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE AND GOD FORBID LOOSE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS! *JB
DT:THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THEN PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 20 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME; HOWEVER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIRE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE OR FAULTY WIRING. THE DASHBOARD AREA AND UNDER THE HOOD WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND DUE TO THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM BEING DOWN, THEY COULD NOT TELL HE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS FIRE. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - *NM
I BOUGHT A 1992 FORD EXPLORER ON 2-16-2005 FROM A PRIVITE PARTY THRU THE NEWPAPER. ON 04-16-05 I WAS DRIVING TO SOFTBALL PRACVICE ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN A GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME IN HIS OWN VEHICLE YELLED GET OUT OF YOUR CAR IT IS ON FIRE. HE LET ME TURN IN FRONT OF HIM AND I PULLED IN TO A PARKING SPACE AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR. WITHIN 3 TO 4 MINUTES THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPELETLY IN FLAMES. ALL THE WIDOWS BROKE AND THE TIRES POPPED. THE SEAT I WAS SITTING IN ONLY MINUTES BEFORE WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BY THEN MY FORD EXPLORER WAS TOTLED. I WAS VERY LUCKY I DID NOT HAVE MY STEPCHILDREN WITH ME THAT DAY AND I WAS TOLD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN TIME FOR MYSELF NOT TO HAVE BEEN HURT. I ONLY HAD LIABILTIY INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS WERE BURNT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE THAT CAN CAUSE SMOKE AND FIRE.I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THEY SAID THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE SITUATION. I RECIEVED A GENERIC LETTER FROM THEM SAYING THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. I FEEL VERY LUCKY IN A SENCE THAT I DID NOT LOSE MY LIFE THAT DAY, BUT ALSO VERY VIOLATED THAT I NOW HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR AND REPLACE BELONGINGS THAT WERE DESTROYED.
I BOUGHT A 1992 FORD EXPLORER ON 2-16-05 FROM A PRIVITE PARTY THRU THE NEWSPAPER. ON 04-16-05 I WAS DRIVING TO SOFTBALL PRACTICE ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN A GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME IN HIS OWN VEHICLE YELLED GET OUT OF YOUR CAR IT IS ON FIRE. HE LET ME TURN IN FRONT OF HIM AND I PULLED IN TO A PARKING SPACE AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR. WITHIN 3 TO 4 MINUTES THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETLY IN FLAMES. ALL THE WINDOWS BROKE AND THE TIRE POPPED. THE SEAT I WAS SITTING IN ONLY MINUTES BEFORE WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BY THEN MY FORD EXPLORER WAS TOTLED. I WAS VERY LUCKY I DID NOT HAVE MY STEPCHILDREN WITH ME THAT DAY AND I WAS TOLD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN TIME FOR MYSELF NOT TO HAVE BEEN HURT. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND MY BELONGINGS WERE BURNT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE THAT CAN CAUSE SMOKE AND FIRE. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPEND THEY SAID THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE SITUATION. I RECEIVED A GENERIC LETTER FROM THEM YESTERDAY SAYING THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. I FEEL VERY LUCKY IN A SENCE THAT I DID NOT LOSE MY LIFE THAT DAY, BUT ALSO VERY VIOLATED THAT I NOW HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR AND REPLACE BELONGINGS THAT WERE DESTROYED.
MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE NEXT STREET OVER WHEN MY 1992 FORD EXPLORER STARTED SMOKING IN THE CAB AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DASHBOARD, GLOVE COMPARTMENT BURNED, AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE HEAT . THE HOOD GOT SCORCHED, AND THE HEAD LINER MELTED, DROPPING THE MELTED LINER ONTO MY SEATS. TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO COST AT THIS TIME.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER PUT THE GEAR IN PARK. SHE WAS THEN TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A POP. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. FOUND THAT IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM. *AK
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD SINCE I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER. SINCE NOVEMBER OF 1992, I HAVE HAD 3 BATTERIES SHORT OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS (IF WAS FRIED). I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE A/C, HEATER BLOWER SWITCH ALONG WITH A FUSE BOX THAT TIES INTO THIS SYSTEM. WHEN THE TRUCK IS RUNNING ALL OF THE LIGHTS FLICKER AND NOTICE THE ALTENATOR GAUGE FLUXUATING. WHEN REVIEWING THIS SITE, I NOTICED THE NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE EXPLORER, ALONG WITH THE NUMBER OF FIRES. I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF I SHOULD BE CONCERNED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM.*AK
ON 21 JANUARY 2001, WHILE IDLING, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING CABON MONOXIDE TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, KILLING MY SON. THE FIRE THEN ENTERED AND SLIGHTLY BURNED HIS BODY BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AND FORD MOTOR CO. SUPPOSEDLY INVESTIGATED BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPORT FROM EITHER AGENCY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER WENT IMMEDIATELY TO A PARKING SPACE. TOOK TO DEALER , AND DEALER SAID MODULE NEAR THE BATTERY HAD DIRT IN IT. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DUST IN CITY. DEALER PUT IN THE MODULE. CONSUMER SAID WHEN VEHICLE CUT OFF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING/ BRAKES, EVERYTHING STOPPED. *AK THE OWNER IS SAYS THAT SUCH SENSITIVE PART SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLACED NEXT TO THE BATTERY IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *YH
THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES ON ACCELLERATION, AND REPEATEDLY THE ENGINE STALLS (HOWEVER, RADIO ETC STAYS ON) CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKE POWER, ETC. THIS OCCURS IN ALL SEASONS AND AT ALL SPEEDS BUT, SEEMS MORE PREVELANT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. THIS STALLING HAS RESULTED IN 10 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS WHILE ATTEMPTING U-TURNS AND LEFT TURNS IN TRAFFIC , AND WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH +). I HAVE REPOTED THIS TO THE DEALER SO MANY TIMES THEY DON'T EVEN TRACK IT ANYMORE. THE RESPONSE DURING THE "SERVICE" CHECKS HAS RANGED FROM, "WE CAN'T GET IT TO CREATE THE SYMPTOMS" TO "IT'S A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR." IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE WIRING HARNESS, OR THE COMPUTER. I KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT LIMITED TO THE "EXPLORER" AS A WORK ASSOCIATE HAD THE SAME OCCURRANCES WITH HIS AEROSTAR VAN. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE WILL BE APPRECIATED.
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK.ET.
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AFTER TRYING TO START IT 3 TIMES. STARTING SOUNDED FUNNY AND SMOKE BEGIN TO BILLOW. COULD NOT GET THE HOOD OPEN IN TIME TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *AK
WHILE TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD, I SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSANGER WHEELWELL. THE FIRE COMPLETELY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE FRONT PASS. SIDE, FROM A WIRING HARNESS OR A/C UNIT. NOBODY WOULD HELP, EVEN AFTER OTHER OWNERS HAD TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME 2 ITEMS ON THEIR EXPLORERS. VELDE FORD OR FO MO CO WOULD NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFO, OR PROVIDE ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER.
REPORTED PREVIOUSLY THAT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. FOUND THAT CIRCUIT BOARD SHORTED DUE TO LACK OF FUSES OR FUSABLE LINKS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS AJACENT TO THE IGNITION SWITCH.
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY LEAKS OIL, REPLACED ENGINE, HOWEVER STILL LEAKS.
4-WHEEL DRIVE NOT WORKING, REPLACED FRONT HUBS.
IGNITION FAILURE.
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE POSSIBLY DUE TO IGNITION. UNABLE TO DETERMINE EXACT CAUSE. *AK
DUE TO A CORRODED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, POWER WENT OUT, CD CHANGER FAILED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE BURSTED.
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START TRUCK, IT WOULDN'T START, TOOK IT TO THE A DEALER, THE POWER CABLE WAS BURNED OUT, TRUCK WOULDN'T START . PLEASE DESCRIBE .**AK
ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 35 DEGREES. *DH
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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