# 1999 FORD EXPLORER — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
> NHTSA complaint `323937` · 2001-11-20 · 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:** 1999
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
## Narrative
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
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*