# 1992 FORD EXPLORER — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `277155` · 2001-02-18 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** EXPLORER
- **Year:** 1992
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
- **Speed:** 20 mph
## 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?
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*