Four problems related to dash wiring have been reported for the 1996 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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 updated 07/29/08.
Replaced all four tires at costco after tread comming off front tires exposing metal, spare tire still a firestone. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).
Electrical short, consumer was driving on the interstate and noticed smoke coming from the center of the dashboard and above the windshield and the vehicle caught on fire in the dash.
Engine stalls at idle, due to on-board computer.