2000 Ford Explorer Lights Problems

ON THIS DATE I EXAMINED THE 2000 FORD EXPLORER INTERIOR LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD IS A TWO LIGHT ASSEMBLY. ONE OF THE LIGHTS WAS OPERATIONAL, WHILE THE SECOND WOULD ONLY OPERATE WHEN THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS JIGGLED, GOING FROM OFF TO ON, TO DIM. THE CONTACT POINTS FOR THE LIGHTS IS A THIN COPPER STRIP WHICH ENCOMPASSES EACH LIGHT. THE STRIP IS FRAGILE AND THE HEAT FROM THE LIGHTS CAUSED THE COPPER STRIP TO SEPARATE AND MELTED THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY TO MELT INTO THE LIGHT FIXTURE AND CAUSING FAILURE IN BOTH LIGHTS. THIS RESULTED IN FAILURE OF ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING EXCEPT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DIFFICULTY IN LOCATING SEAT BELTS, LOCATING DROPPED KEYS, INSURING SAFETY OF PASSENGERS. HAVING PASSENGER READ DIRECTIONS OR MAPS AFTER DARK IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT A FLASHLIGHT. *TR

2000 FORD EXPLORER HAD SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS. *NJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. *JB

MULTISWITCH IN 2000 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AND GAVE OFF SMOKE, AFRAID OF FIRE. *TR

WHEN I TURNED ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT DOESN'T BLINK. IT JUST FREEZES AND SMOKE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ONCE I TURNED OFF THE TURN SIGNAL IT STOPPED SMOKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN SHE ENGAGED THE SIGNAL SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN SHE ENGAGED THE SIGNAL SWITCH. AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,347. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT ACCASIONALLY FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND SMOKE ARISES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE AND I WAS AFRAID I MIGHT NOT NOTICE AND MY CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. UPON TAKING IT TO FORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED HOPING IT WAS SOME TYPE OF RECALL I MISSED, BUT IT WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER REVIEWING A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT JEOPARDIZES SAFETY THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.

WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, FLASHING PAUSES, THEN SMOKE DRIFTS UP FROM THE AREA OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH OPENING. WITH SO FEW COMPLAINTS, I ASSUME THE REMEDY IS TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE AND FILE SUIT AGAINST FORD. WOULD SEEM MORE REASONABLE FOR FORD TO INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE THEIR QUALITY ISSUE.

THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD REMAINED ON AND CAUSED SMOKE TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A FIRE.*AK THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO RELEASE THE TURN SIGNAL AND STOP ELECTRICAL SMOKE. *BF *NM

WHEN TURNING ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND SMOKE ARISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL/HAZARD LIGHTS BUTTON. I TOOK IT TO FORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THEY WERE ESTIMATING A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS IN CHARGES, AND CONSIDERED IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINS ON THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEBSITE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *AK

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASION THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES YOU COULD SMELL THE PLASTIC BURNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM . THIS VEHICLE WA SNOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

THIS IS FOR A 2000 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHEN I TURN THE LEFT SIGNAL ON, EVERY FEW DAYS, THE SIGNAL LIGHT WILL STICK AND SMOKE WILL COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE HAZARD SWITCH. FORD REFUSES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A FAULT IN THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WHICH WAS RECALLED ON SEVERAL EXPLORERES (JUST NOT SPECIFICALLY MINE).*AK

THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS WILL NOT UNLOCK ONCE BUCKLE IS LATCHED. ALSO,THE TAIL LIGHT LENSES CONTINUED TO FILL WITH WATER, CAUSING THE BULBS TO EXPLODE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS OR THE TAIL LIGHTS WITHOUT THE CONSUMER PAYING FOR THE PARTS OR LABOR.*AK

*NOTE* PROBLEMS AROSE WHEN VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT* VEHICLE BUCKS WHILE IN OD. ALSO VEHICLE MAKES A TICKING/HISSING NOISE. DEALER CANNOT LOCATE NOISE. OD LIGHT FLASHES. REAR RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN FROM INSIDE, CONSUMER MUST PULL LATCH TO EXTREME POINT TO OPEN, ALSO WHEN OPEN, AFTER CLOSED DOME AND DOOR AJAR LIGHTS STAY ON. FORD REFUSES TO FIX. LIGHTER WHILE IN USE WAS PUSHED THROUGH DASH, UNIT AND ALL. PLASTICS MELTED. VEHICLE ALSO GETS 7 MPG HIGHWAY, BUT IS SUPPOSED TO GET 14. EFI CLEANED, HIGHER GRADE FUEL USED, ECT. AND STLL GETS BAD MILEAGE. - UPDATE- TRANSMISSION BUCKING CAUSED VEHICLE TO HIT PARKED CAR BEHIND VEHICLE WHEN ACCELARATOR STUCK. SHOULDER DISLOCATED. REAR ENTERTAINMENT HEADPHONE JACK 1 BROKEN WHEN BOUGHT, DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE. ON OCCASION WHILE TURN SIGNALS ARE IN USE, SMOKE OMITTS FROM HAZARD SWITCH ON STEERING CONSOLE. VEHICLE'S REAR WIPER ARM SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE IN USE. IF THIS IS THE BEST FORD CAN BUILD, HENRY FORD MUST BE SPINNING IN HIS GRAVE! *PR. *AK

BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC ,AND WAS TOLD THAT BULBS WER FINE, BUT SHE WILL HAVE TO BRING IT BACK IN BECAUSE MECHANIC MAY HAVE TO CHANGE THE SWITCH, AND IF THAT DOES NOT WORK, SHE MAY HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER/MECHANIC. *AK

THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED WHILE BACKING UP. *NLM.

THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON UNDER LIGHT BRAKING, DEALER SHOWED ME THAT THIS HAPPENS ON OTHER VEHICLES HE HAD ON HIS LOT. DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX, I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, FILE 1495490060, AND FORD REQUESTED THAT I TEST OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES, I DID, AND ONCE I CONFIRMED TO FORD THAT THE OTHER VEHICLES EXIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM FORD TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO AS THE OPERATION IS NORMAL. SINCE SEEING THE PROBLEM ON MY FORD EXPLORER I HAVE NOTICE THAT MANY FORD EXPLORERS STOPPED AT TRAFIC LIGHTS DO NOT HAVE ANY BRAKE LIGHTS ON. IS THIS THE SAME PROBLEM AS I AM SEEING? FORD DOES NOT APPEAR TO CARE. DT

RADIO LIGHTS AND CLOCK JUST WENT OUT-WILL COME ON WHEN COLD---MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM --FORD SAYS REPLACE RADIO--FOR $650. PEOPLE HAVE DONE THIS AND STILL HAVE IT GO OUT AGAIN--RADIO LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS SHOULD WORK FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS. *AK

ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME THE TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, YOU HAVE TO JOCKEY THE STEERING WILL TO GET THE TURN SIGNAL TO STAY ON. THE MECHANISM WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED ON 1/17/2001 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE TURN SIGNAL. ON APRIL 30, 2002 I HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALER AND MENTIONED THE CONTINUED ISSUE WITH THE TURN SIGNAL. I WAS TOLD THAT SOME OF THEM ACT THIS WAY...IT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS (GREG BOWER). I CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THE PROBLEM NOT ONLY AN IRRITANT, BUT ALSO A SAFTEY PROBLEM. I FIND MY ATTENTION DIVERTED FROM DRIVING SAFELY WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET THE TURN SIGNAL TO LOCK IN PLACE (TO SAFELY SIGNAL TO OTHER DRIVERS MY INTENTIONS).*JB

DEALER HAD TO REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FOR SECOND TIME BECAUSE OF SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S , I HAVE BEEN VERY AWARE OF MANY FORD PRODUCTS THAT THE BRAKE/SYOP LIGHTS FAIL TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE VEHICLE S BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP OR SLOW THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR A LIVING SINCE THE EARLY 60'S AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TODAY ON MANY FORD PRODUCTS THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS. I HAVE PERSONALLY STOPPED AND TOLD MANY OF THOSE DRIVERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING REAR-ENDED DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEHIND THEM NOT BEING ALERTED TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SLOWING/STOPPING. AT ONE TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH LOCATET UNDER THE DASH THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED. I DO NOT KNOW IF ANY CORRECTIONS WERE EVER MADE TO THAT PROBLEM BUT AS RECENTLY AS THIS WEEK I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING A FORD THAT DID NOT HAVE WORKING BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN IT STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I AM RETIRED FROM THE BELL SYSTEM AND AS A REQUREMENT TO OPERATE A COMPANY MOTOR VEHICLE WE WERE GIVEN TRAINING ANNUALLY CALLED SMITH SYSTEM DEFENSIVE DRIVER TRAINING AND ALONG WITH ALL THE EXCELLENT SKILLS WE WERE TAUGHT WE WERE ALSO TOLD TO NOT FOLLOW A FORD WHENEVER POSSIBLE FOR THE OBVIOUS REASONS JUST STATED. IF I CAN BE OF ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. THANKS FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR SAFETY. RON WOGULIS

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE NEEDED CONSUMER NOTICED POOR OR INSUFFICENT LIGHTENING WHICH CAUSED POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. ALSO, MANUFACTURER HAS CHANGED DESIGN IN 2001 VEHICLES. CONSUMER HAD SOME SAFETY CONCERNS WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE WITH FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS P25570R16 TIRES. THUS FAR , HAS NOT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM, BUT WAS JUST CONCERNED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. *MJS

EVERYTIME IT RAINS TAIL LIGHTS FILL UP WITH WATER. ALSO, WATER ENTERS IN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE BACK WINDOWS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS RESEALED LIGHTS AND WINDOWS AS REMEDY, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE LEFT REAR WINDOW BEGAN LEAKING DURING THE RAIN. AFTER TWO REPAIRS THE LUGGAGE RACK WAS REPLACED AND THE SEALS AROUND THE WINDOWS WERE REPLACED. THE TAIL LIGHT CASINGS BEGAN TO COLLECT WATER AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR. AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION THE CASE SURROUNDING THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE RUSTED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THE LEAKING AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. WATER IS GETTIING INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE TAIL LIGHTS. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE TRUCK IN 3 TIMES FOR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO GRIND DURING BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL AS FAST BRAKING. THE LIGHTS AND WINDOWS IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE ARE LEAKING TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE SMELLS MUSTY BECAUSE OF THE WATER LEAKS. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE WATER DAMAGE OR THE LEAKING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL SHORT OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE. I HAVE ASKED FOR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FORD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER REFUSES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. PLEASE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE.

WHILE ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL AND MAKING A TURN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL ENGAGE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR 1999 MODELS, BUT HE HADN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS ON THE 2000 MODELS. SAID IT IS RESULT OF FAILED "MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH".