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1992 FORD EXPLORER — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

fire · 277155 · 2001-02-18

Vehicle

Make
FORD
Model
EXPLORER
Year
1992
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Component
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Speed
20 mph

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
0
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
No
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, BLUE SMOKE WITH A SMELL OF BURNED WIRING POURED THROUGH INTERIOR DASH VENTS. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE; WE WERE IN A POOR PLACE TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE CAR; ALL I COULD DO WAS LOWER THE WINDOWS AND CONTINUE DRIVING ABOUT 15-30 SECONDS IN REDUCED VISIBILITY (AND BREATHABILITY) UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER AND GET OUT. IT OCCURS TO ME THAT A HEATER FIRE SHOULD NOT BE AN EXPECTED OCCURRENCE IN A WELL-CARED-FOR VEHICLE WITH UNDER 30,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FORD EXPLORER HEATER FIRES. I THINK FORD SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $401.55 THAT I SPENT ON REPAIRS. CAN YOU ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO?

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
741090
Machine
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