# 1998 FORD EXPLORER — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `398188` · 2003-03-17 · 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
- **Miles at failure:** 81,884
- **Speed:** 55 mph
## Narrative
I WAS DRIVING WHILE TOWING A TRAILER AND HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, AND FOG LIGHTS WENT OUT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN.  AFTER COOLING OFF, I DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOLDING THE DIMMER SWITCH BACK TOWARDS ME FOR 2-AND-A-HALF HOURS.   *NLM
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*