# 1996 FORD EXPLORER — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
> NHTSA complaint `669787` · 2008-05-14 · 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:** 1996
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
- **Miles at failure:** 143,000
## Narrative
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER.  THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE HEATER.  HE WALKED TO HIS MAILBOX AND RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE.  ALL OF A SUDDEN, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE CONSOLE.  HE RETRIEVED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO DOUSE THE FIRE.  THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND UNDERNEATH CAUGHT FIRE AND HE BELIEVED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASHBOARD MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.  HE DID NOT CONTACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FIRE, BUT HE DID CONTACT HIS INSURANCE COMPANY.  THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,000.   UPDATED 07/29/08  *BF  UPDATED 07/29/08. *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*