# 1999 FORD EXPLORER — VISIBILITY
> NHTSA complaint `855302` · 2011-05-09 · 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:** VISIBILITY
- **Miles at failure:** 150,000
- **Speed:** 35 mph
## Narrative
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE INVOLUNTARILY TWO OR THREE TIMES. DURING THE FAILURES, SMOKE WOULD BEGIN TO RISE FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WOULD ONLY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*