Problems with 1999 Ford Explorer 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.

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. *tr

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 *jb

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.

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. *jb

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. *jb

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? *jb

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.*ak

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 *nm

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.*ak

The turn signal shift popped up when the turn signal was used. *jb

Turn signal failed to work. smoke coming from steering column. possible fire risk? dt

When putting on turn signal signal started to smoke and caught on fire. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak

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

When using left turn signal there is smoke coming from switch. vehicle not taken to dealer yet. *ak

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.*ak

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.

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

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)

There were no warning lights on the dash when consumer turned on turning signal switch and steering column started smoking, and smoke was coming out of the hazard lights switch. consumer stated smoke stopped when turning signal was turned off.*ak

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.

When sitting at stop with turn signal engaged windshield wipers start without engaging switch. *ak

Pe00020, orginial equipment with 1999 ford explorer, tire size p23575r15. while driving the front end shakes very hard, and on all tires there are lumps forming and making a whistling noise. *ak there was a constant noise in the front of the vehicle, dealer has replaced the following to remedy the problem: drivesahft, lower control arms, left upper ball joint, lower steering shaft on two occasions, front shaft, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, power steering pump and rack, left upper ball joint and finally the arm bushing that was hitting the frame. brakes were pulsating, dealer machined the front rotors. there was a delay in starting the vehicle, dealer stated this was normal. radio had no display lights, dealer installed a new radio. the rear brake light burnt out, dealer replaced the bulb. the parking brake sometimes would not release, dealer could not duplicate the problem. the check engine light illuminated. the rear wiper was not cleaning, dealer replaced the wiper arm and blade. *slc

Turn signals will not operate when steering wheel is in tilt position . *ak

Winshield wipers sometimes go on when turn signal is used. this is distracting and could potentially cause an accident. *ak

While driving on highway approximately 55mph and when the turn signal is on the windshield wipers run. windshield wipers will come on if vehicle hits a bump in the road. contacted dealer and manufacturer. *ak

While driving windshield wipers are inadvertently working.this also happens when trying to use turn signals. *ak

Windshield wipers are inoperable. when the turn signal is activated the wipers will activate. the dealer has been notified. *ak

Multi-turn function turn signal/ windshield washer, intermittent wiper and high-beam malfunctions. washers fails to activate when stalk is "pushed in" for washer request (eventually washer will function after several "pushes" washer pump not broken), activating turn signal(s) activates windshield wiper (activating turn signal should not turn your wipers on), wipers turn on without user intervention (wipers turn on by themself) *ak

The new headlight which the vehicle is equipped, the low bea light is too bright and blinds other drivers. this may result in a crash. the high beam is way too bright. please provide further information and vin#. *ak

Whenever truck is driven there is a tapping noise coming from the engine. the explorer was taken to the dealership 3 times for this problem. the first time dealer stated that the condition was a normal condtion. second time the exhaust bolts were replaced. the third time the egr valve was replaced. the truck is still being serviced for the condition. windshield wipers come on by themselves due to electrical short in the multi-function switch. *ak

Brake lights do not stay on when brakes are applied. lights come on, but go back out while brakes are still being applied. dealer has seen vehicle, and said that it is normal. *ak brake switch has been replaced 6 times and power booster has been replaced with no remedies, brake pedal makes a popping noise when released. message center, miles per gallon, is inaccurate and has been replaced, however consumer states it still does not work. rear suspension squeaks and groans over bumps, consumer states there is too much roll stiffness built into suspension, alignment checked and toe set due to vehicle wandering. water leaks inside door frames. automatic transmission is reluctant to downshift unless the accelerator is pressed flat to the floor. inside rear view mirrow mounted too low. consumer states squeaks and rattles show up all the time in the interior of the vehicle, rattles in dash, drivers door area, and b pillar. cd changer jammed twice. limited emblem replaced twice. speedometer reads too fast. *slc

Brake lights are unreliable and could lead to a collision. in particular, the brake lights may not work during gentle braking or when stopped with foot still on brake pedal. free pedal height is 4.75 inches, brake lights come on at 4.625 inches, go off when any pressure is released above 4 inches. as you can see, anytime the brake pedal comes up between 4 and 4.625 inches, such as when letting up slightly to make a smooth stop, the brake lights are off. i often find myself sitting at stops with my foot on the brake and no brake lights, a very hazardous condition. dealer has replaced switch twice, all three switches exhibit same behavior. on last replacement, dealer said they checked several other explorers, they all do the same.

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

Windshield wipers would go on or off on by themselves. would sometimes stop in middle of operation. vehicle would fail to start if steering wheel is not in correct position. the signal lever will not operate properly if the wheels are slightly turned. *ak