# 1998 FORD EXPLORER — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
> NHTSA complaint `387166` · 2002-12-31 · 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:** 1998
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- **Speed:** 50 mph
## Narrative
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN.  WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT, DRIVE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND STEERING COLUMN WAS GLOWING AND SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC.  WIRING HARNESS, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH MELTED. NO AFTER MARKET ADD ON OR MODIFICATIONS MADE TO VEHICLE. TS
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*