Cruise Control problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer

A 1997 Ford Explorer cruise control deactivation switch caused a fire resulting in the death of the driver.

The 1997 Ford Explorer caught on fire at the cruise switch located on the master cylinder.

- the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall for the cruise control deactivation switch. The dealer informed the contact that this vehicle was not part of the recall. Therewas recall 06v286000 for 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact felt that this vehicle should be included as part of this recall. The vehicle has currently 170000 miles.

- the contact stated that while driving with cruise control on at a speed of 65 mph the cruise control did not disengage. The weather was clear and about 30 degrees fahrenheit, and the odometer reading was 121000 miles. The failure did not allow the throttle to return to idle. He was able to stop the vehicle by shifting gears and putting it into park on the side of the highway. The vehicle was at the dealership, and he was concerned because vehicle should be covered under NHTSA campaign recall 99v062001. Presently, the dealer was asking the contact to pay for the repair. Updated 1/22/2007 - the dealer indicated that the cruise control off button had shorted out. As a result the cruise control could not be turned off once turned on.

While driving my 1997 Ford Explorer on I-64 e at approximately 60 mph, smoke started to pour into the car from under the dashboard. I pulled over as fast as possible and was met by a virginia dot truck who noticed me suddenly cross two lanes to get to the breakdown lane. He grabbed his fire extinguisher and put the fire out within seconds of my stopping. The fire department was not called because it was put out so quickly. After having it towed to a shop, I was informed that it appears to have started in the cruise control switch and burned through the master cylinder. The fire was extinguished within 15-30 seconds from the time I stopped but the mechanic said that the car does not have any brakes as a result of the fire. I consider myself lucky to have been able to stop at all. My car was not and still has not been recalled. After contacting Ford they have declined to help us with any repairs. Had I known about the switchfire problems earlier, I would have called the fire department to do a formal investigation of the cause. The car has not been fixed as of yet.

: the contact stated the cruise control was set at 55 mph while driving on the highway when the vehicle accelerated on its own. The cruise control would not disengage. The vehicle revved to 85 mph before the contact turned the key to the off position and pulled off of the road. Each time the vehicle was restarted the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own. Finally the contact disengaged the cruise control under the engine and drove the vehicle one mile to a dealership where it was determined the cruise control switch was faulty. Updated 09/11/06.

Cruise control under the hood caused power outage to overhead temperature/direction display. When taken to dealership for repair the tech along with the service manager,indicated that sparks and smoke was coming from the cruise control located under the hood when power was applied. This is the same cruise control that has caused accidents and death. This cruise control is the same one that has sparked a large recall from Ford but the Ford motor company elected not to include the Explorer.

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer that caught fire. The fire originated around the wiring harness in and around the master cylinder. When my vehicle caught fire I lost my brakes instantly.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while being serviced for the radio. The dealer stated that the cruise control caused the fire. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer disconnected the vehicle speed control. As of November 1, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

The cruise control on our 1997 Ford Explorer stopped working. I called and check to see if there were any recalls on this problem because we know of the expedition having problems where this was causing fires to start with the vehicle. We were told this did not involve the Explorer. I was concerned because I feel that there could be a connection. We had the repairs done but I felt that this needed to be reported. I also feel that Ford should be required to report to the NHTSA each time the Ford Explorer has to repair cruise control failures to help determine if there is a problem that is widespread.

The cruise control switch stopped working, the consumer lifted up the hood and noticed that fluid was leaking around the master brake unit. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they confirmed that it was a problem and they replaced the cruise control switch about a week ago.

When disengaging cruise control vehicle throttles down and accelerates. Consumer has to depress brakes or shut off cruise control. Vehicle has an aggressive acceleration. This happens intermittently. Contacted dealer, and dealer urged consumer to recreate problem for them to check it out.

Accelerator suddenly and uncontrollably causes vehicle to go from a stopped condition, foot on brake, cruise control off. Extreme braking effort avoids collision. Problem presented to Ford service at dealer, diagnostic tests done and no repair provided. Ford service denied knowledge of any similar problems of this type and offered no recall repairs.

Vehicle is showing same symptoms as mentioned in recall 00v422000 regarding 4. 0 l engines. Throttle is sticking and consumer has to force pedal to move. This is a continuous event that seems worse after cruise control has been used.

When turning cruise control off vehicle started to acclerate up to 90-100mph. Only way to slow down is to put vehicle out of gear. Contacted dealer, and dealer said that they could not do anything because they did not know what the problem was. The vehicle was idling very high.

While traveling with cruise control on, consumer could not turn off cruise control. Gas pedal went involuntarily to the floor, and car accelerated from 68 mph to 85 mph. Vehicle had to be shut down in order to disengage the cruise control.

Engine idle is erratic when engine is warm, vehicle is in neutral or park and heater or air conditioner is on. This component has now failed twice. Is this a common problem?.

Vehicle experienced problems with cruise control, dealership did not notify consumer of recall (99v-062). Mjs.

Owner was not notified of recall 99v-062 for the faulyt cruise control resulting in accident.

Vehicle had continual problems with the cruise control, not able to be rectified, 2 accidents occurred due to faulty cruise control which did not signal one wheel to activate properly and locked up instead causing complete loss of control. Mjs.

Cruise control failed to disengage. Vehicle stopped by turning engine off.

Consumer put automobile on cruise control mode and it took off, causing automobile to accelerate. Consumer states when tried to apply the brakes, they would not let her. Had to turn automobile off after running off road.

The vehicle experienced the same problem with the cruise control as stated in recall 99 v 062 00, but the vehicle was included in the recall. The consumer stated the cruise control failed to disengaged, the problem happened three timed.

While stopping at a light consumer had to put vehicle in neutral due to engine idling high. Consumer states this has been happening ever since the vehicle was new, the engine idles at 1400 rpm, dealer can not remedy the problem.

Cruise control does not maintain speed when vehicle is going downhill. It accelerates.