1998 FORD EXPLORER Vehicle Speed Control Problems

SPEED CONTROL GETS HOT TO TOUCH. ALL TOP FACING HAS MELTED OFF FROM HEAT. I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. MY SEAT WAS REPAIRED AFTER RECALL YEARS AGO. IT CONTINUES TO DROP LOW TO FLOOR.

GAS PEDAL BRACKET WELDING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND GAS PEDAL IS NOW JUST DANGLING - CHECKED ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING - SHOULD BE A RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE HOME WITH CAUTION. THE DEALER (PHIL LONG FORD AT CHAPEL HILLS, 1565 AUTO MALL LOOP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920, (719) 387-1099) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN THAT IF THE PART WERE REPLACED, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

REAR END ROARS AND SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING

WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, I LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO ROLL OR COAST VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE IN A DANGEROUS POSITION IN TRAFFIC WHEN I COULD COAST NO FURTHER. THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF THE FIREWALL AND WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. THE BRACKET HAD BEEN ATTACHED BY THREE SPOT WELDS. SOME OTHER PEOPLE STOPPED TRAFFIC AND PUSHED ME TO A SAFE PLACE TO PARK. THE FORD DEALER PARTS' DEPARTMENT HAS NO PARTS TO FIX IT AND SUGGESTED WE BUY SOME BOLTS SOMEWHERE AND REATTACH IT OURSELVES SOMEHOW. TO COMPLETELY LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! THANK GOD I WAS IN A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION AND NOT TURNING LEFT ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR IT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT MUCH WORSE. READING ONLINE BLOGS AND COMMENTS SHOWS THIS PROBLEM OF...

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE BRACKET THAT SUSPENDS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE FREE FROM THE FIREWALL (IT WAS TACK WELDED IN SEVERAL SPOTS). THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE WITH NO TRAFFIC BEHIND. IF I HAD BEEN ACCELERATING VIA ON RAMP TO HIGHWAY WITH VEHICLES RIGHT BEHIND ME MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY. LOCAL GARAGE REPAIRED ($47.50) BY DRILLING HOLES AND REATTACHING WITH BOLTS. ACCORDING TO "SERIOUS EXPLORATIONS" USERS GROUP, NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. *TR

GAS PEDAL AND BRACKET HOLDING GAS PEDAL BROKE FREE OF IT'S MOUNTING LOCATION ON THE FIREWALL. 3 SPOT WELDS FAILED COMPLETELY. GAS PEDAL IS NOW DANGLING FROM ITS CABLE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. *TR

THE EXPLORER BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE . THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . IN A FEW SECONDS , THE TRUCK WAS IN FLAMES. POLICE AND FIREMEN WERE CALLED TO THE LOCATION . THEY PUT THE FIRE OUT IN A FEW MINUTES . *TR

WHEN BACKING UP AT 5MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED WENT UP CURB AND HIT GUARDRAIL. AFTER 2-3- SECONDS VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. *TR

I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MAX, AND COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE AS SOON AS I COULD. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE DAMAGED AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNOCCUPIED OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WHEN IT BURST INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/23/11

1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE PARKED UNDER MY CARPORT. 1/6/11 @ 14:00HRS. *TR

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...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE OPENING A CASE ON HER BEHALF TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

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.

ON JULY 17, 2010 THE ACCELERATOR TO MY 1998 EXPLORER (EDDIE BAUER) STUCK WHEN I WAS TRYING TO BACK A LITTLE WAYS DOWN MY DRIVE WAY. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND JUMPED THE STREET HITTING MY NEIGHBOR PORCH DAMAGING THE PORCH AND NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE POLICE CAME AND COMPLETED AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE FORD EXPLORER WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. I TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 1998 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OF PARKING SPACE AT HOME, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT TOWNHOME ACROSS THE STREET. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP (01/12/2010). *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER, 4.0L V6 WITH ALMOST 110K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON 2/24/10 I ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY, DETACHED FROM THE FIRE WALL AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE SPOT WIELDS. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO IMMEDIATE VEHICLE DECELERATION. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS NOW ONLY "ATTACHED" TO THE CAR VIA THE THROTTLE CABLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BY BASICALLY PULLING THE THROTTLE CABLE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I HAD USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL WHILE BENDING DOWN TO PULL THE CABLE. I WAS JUST ABLE TO SEE OVER THE DASH. I WAS TOLD BY SANTA MARGARITA FORD IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA, THAT IT'S NOT OF THEIR CONCERN SINCE THEY DON'T "FIX" PARTS BUT REPLACE THEM. THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO "REPLACE" THE PART. SO NO FIX HAS BEEN DONE TO MY...

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. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED HE SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES UNDERNEATH OF THE HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND HE WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED ; WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE THEN RECEIVED A LETTER FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WILL CONTACT HIM WITH A RESPONSE WITHIN A FIFTEEN DAY PERIOD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155000.

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE GAS PEDAL SNAPPED OFF AND FELL TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHERE IT HAPPENED. ONCE STOPPED WE DISCOVERED THAT THE WELDS THAT HELD THE PETAL TO THE FIRE-WALL (I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT THE MECHANIC LATER CALLED IT) HAD BROKEN. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO BOLT THE PEDAL BACK ON. WHILE THERE WERE NO INJURIES, OR IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FAR MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS WE WERE HEADED FOR A BUSY HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. WE FEEL FORD SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS INCIDENT, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR, AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA 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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE SPEED CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE COLUMN, WHICH CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG, WAS MELTED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER WITH THE REPORT FROM THE MECHANIC. THE DEALER DENIED THE FREE REPAIR REQUEST AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2,500 TO REPLACE THE WIRING, AIR BAGS, AND THE PART USED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A FAMILY MEMBER SAFELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE COMPONENT ALREADY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2008, SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

I HAD A 1998 2DR FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO REASON AT MY JOB ON JUNE 17, 2008. IT WAS A UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. I ARRIVED AT WORK AT 8:26 A.M. A COUPLE OF MINUTES AFTER 11:00 A.M. IS WHEN THE BUILDING MANAGER KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AND TOLD ME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING FOR ME BECAUSE MY TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR ENDED UP BEING A TOTAL LOSS. EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE WAS SEVERELY SMOKE DAMAGED. MY RADIO MELTED AND I LOSS CERTAIN PAPER WORK THAT I HAD IN MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. MY HEATER CORD WAS LEFT ON THE GROUND ALONG WITH SOME OTHER WIRES AFTER THE TOW TRUCK TOWED MY TRUCK AWAY. THAT'S HOW BURNED UP MY TRUCK WAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S JOB, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL PERTAINING TO HIS VIN; THEREFORE, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CORRECT INCIDENT DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149,382.

FIRE IN ENGINE BAY ORIGINATING AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKING HIS VEHICLE (2 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY WIFE'S 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY KID'S SCHOOL, SHE DROVE FOR 1 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP MY KID, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BURN IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AROUND THE BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND ACCORDING TO THE BURN MARKS ON THE HOOD LOOKS LIKE IT WAS THERE WHERE IT BURNED THE HOTTEST, THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AND LUCKILY THE FIRE DPTM IS REAL CLOSE SO IT DIDN'T BURN COMPLETELY. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT IS LOCATED BY THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT CAN RESULT ON FIRE, SO I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS INCIDENT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THIS...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO THE GARAGE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND THE DEALER ASKED IF ANY FAILURES HAD OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A SERVICE CHARGE OF $100. WHEN THE DEALER WAS TOLD TO ONLY SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL, THEY STATED THAT THE $100 SERVICE FEE WOULD STILL APPLY. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL, HOWEVER HE WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO SALE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S ENTIRE REAR END IS DAMAGED, THE TRAILER IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND THE BOAT THAT WAS PARKED IN HIS YARD NOW HAS A HOLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

ON MARCH 29, 2007, MY WIFE DROVE OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AT 9:00 A.M. AND THEN TO HER WORK LOCATION. AT 9:36 A.M., MY WIFE PARKED THE EXPLORER, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WENT INTO WORK. AT 10:50 A.M, MY WIFE WAS NOTIFIED BY AN EMPLOYEE FROM ANOTHER BUSINESS THAT THE EXPLORER WAS SMOKING. AT THAT TIME, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT STARTED BURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SUMMONED TO THE SCENE. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE AND THERE WAS A CLOUD OF DARK HEAVY SMOKE. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND CONFINE THE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT WAS SATURATED WITH SMOKE. THE COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED US THAT SIMILAR SPONTANEOUS ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS HAVE...

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!!! *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD BEEN SITTING FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT STUCK. CONSTANT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL WILL RELEASE IT, BUT IN THE PROCESS THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WITH GREAT FORCE. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 -THE VEHICEL WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. *NM

1998 EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE TO A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY, FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO DO SO AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. THE CONTACT NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WERE NHTSA RECALLS #06V286000, #00V422000, AND #99V062001 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. A RECALL LETTER WAS NEVER RECEIVED AND PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

CONSUMER IS OUT OF TOWN AND WILL RESPOND TO COMPLAINT CONCERNING 1998 EXPLORER WHEN SHE RETURN. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. *JB

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT WAS NOT RUNNING AND IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 3 HOURS. *NM

PROCEEDING SLOWLY AT IDLE SPEED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. AUTO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY REQUIRING MUCH HARDER BRAKING TO STOP. HAPPENED TWO TIMES WITHIN 10 MINUTE SPAN. SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND WAS FIXED BY FORD DEALER. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. *JB

ROUTINE TRAVEL, COMING TO INTERSECTION WHEN THROTTLE STUCK AND VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH INTERSECTION. BRAKES APPLIED, BUT DUE TO THE HIGH ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. ONCE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS, EVERYTHING RESUMED AS USUAL. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE, THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS IN RECALL NUMBERS: 00S58 & 99S09. *NM

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR IT HAD TO BE GIVEN MORE GAS BECAUSE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STICKING. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE THROTTLE CONTINUES TO STICK CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. *NM

WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACE THE GEAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THROTTLE STICKS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONAL FORCE IS REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE THROTTLE, WHICH RESULTS IN TH VEHICLE LURCHING. THE STICKING THROTTLE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THERE VEHICLE IN TIGHT SPOTS SUCH AS PARKING AREAS. FORD DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT SAID THE VEHICLE WAS PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN BETWEEN 30000-35000 MILES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *TC

WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER REAR-ENDED A HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING,VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAS ABLE TO COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC RECALL NUMBER(99V062001) WAS FOR THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE PROBLEM WITH DRIVER VEHICLE. ALSO THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THE IS RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE DOWN TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN FULL THROTTLE WHEN BRAKES WAS RELEASED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM