Investigation PE96066: 1993–1994 Ford Explorer

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Nov 22, 1996

Closed

May 15, 1997

Model years

1993–1994

Subject

Driver door electrical fire

Component: Electrical system

Summary

The contact assembly for the remote power mirror control switch may develop a short circuit between the switch positive pad and chassis ground pad as a result of water intrusion.excess current flow resulting from the short circuit condition may overheat the remote power mirror control switch circuit board and cause a fire in the driver's door.ford has indicated that current in excess of 15 amps can overheat the circuit board enough to cause a fire.circuit protection is provided by a 30 amp fuse.ford is recalling all 1993-94 4-door explorer vehicles equipped with the subject electronic option combination to install an in-line 10 amp fuse in the positive battery feed to the remote power mirror control switch assembly.no 2-door explorer vehicles were built with the subject components.according to ford, vehicles built prior to the recall production range were equipped with lower capacity circuit boards for the subject switch assembly that would fail from an open circuit if a similar short occurred.a new switch assembly with 10 amp fuse protection was introduced beginning with the 1995 model year explorer.mazda will conduct a parallel compaign (97v-083.002) to remedy the subject condition in approximately 14,000 navajo vehicles.the navajo vehicles were available in only the 2-door version which, unlike the explorer vehicles, did use the subject option combination in that body style.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 1994 Ford Explorer1,207 complaints
• 1993 Ford Explorer939 complaints