Ford Explorer owners have reported 17 interior lighting related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common interior lighting problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's interior lighting (17 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Interior Lighting problems |
Inside interior lights failing to turn off after vehicle is started then coming on at random times while driving,not such a distraction during daylight hours but at night I feel its a dangerous situation.
Interior lights illuminate at any given time while driving at various speeds. Usually after hitting a dip in the road or going over railroad tracks then would gradually turn off.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer XLT. The contact stated that the interior lights would illuminate at any given time while he was driving approximate speeds ranging from 5 to 45 mph and would gradually turn off. He took the vehicle to the dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. He contacted the manufacturer and was told that his vehicle was outside the warranty and that they could not offer any assistance. The current mileage was approximately 37,000. The failure mileage was approximately 36,900.
Light was blinking on dash on right side if you tap it would come on now only one side of dash lights up air conditioner blow out frost on compressor right side of truck door lock will not come up when you press locks dealer needs to fix this not the cust it makes you don't want to buy a Ford any more.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was no light indication on the gear shifter. At night, he is unable to tell whether the vehicle is in park, neutral, or drive. He took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and was informed that there were no electrical bolts in the vehicle because it was designed in that manner. The contact called numerous dealers and they all confirmed that the vehicle was manufactured in this manner. The failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 37,000.
Since 11/08, we noticed the overhead console light would leak water after various rainfalls. On 12/1/08 we took the SUV to the dealer for service of this matter. It was released to us on 12/3/08. The correction was: installed updated drain tubes, as per 07-20-6. On 3/2/09 we brought the SUV to the dealer for service, for the same - overhead console, dome lamp leaking, & full of water, and roof (headliner) above rear seat on driver's side leaking and soaked with water after various rainfalls. The correction this second time was: cleared drains. On 3/30/09 we brought the SUV in for service again. It had rained through the night, and the morning of 3/29/09. The dome console lights were leaking & had water inside, the roof headliner on the rear driver side was soaked & leaking water well into the trunk area, and the right side rear behind the passenger side was soaked & leaking water well into the trunk area as well. We received a phonecall from the technician on 3/31/09, stating that no leaks had been found, no water stains visible. We went in to speak with the service manager that evening, and showed the pictures taken by us on 3/29/09 - showing extensive water leakage. They kept the SUV to further investigate for leaks. On 4/2/09 we received a call from the technician, stating the drains would be replaced again. The consequences of these events is that I am afraid to allow the children to turn on the dvd player, sunroof, & even fear of driving the vehicle for possible fire hazard/electrical safety issues. My husband has lost days @ work while the truck is in service. My asthmatic child has not felt well for months now, which leads us to suspect if due to the leakage, thus wetness, if mold is present somewhere in the vehicle. Also, the driver heated seat has not worked since 12/09, which leads us to suspect if the water damage has started causing electrical problems.
Door ajar light comes on. Recycled engine checked all doors and again light comes on. Or while driving, the doors automatically unlock. The alarm sounds for no reason sometimes. Sometimes the interior lights comes on and stays on usually when I have trouble with the door ajar issues.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact attempted to open the windows, but was unsuccessful. The windshield wipers, interior lights, and the 4x4 also failed to operate. The dealer has not diagnosed the vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights prior to the failures. The contact is unable to drive the vehicle due to the safety risk involved. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. Updated 03-04-08.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the door ajar light illuminated frequently and the dome light stayed illuminated even when the doors were closed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a manufacturers recall and the dealer stated that the repair had previously been performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated intermittently. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was approximately 72,000. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Dashlight illuminates, door chime sounds and automatic door locks engage intermittently while driving. I have taken the car to multiple dealers and have had multiple attempts to rectify yet the issue has yet to be resolved.
Two problems, one with transmission and one with instrument lights. 1) transmission would delay engaging into drive or reverse when being taken out of park (local dealer said this was "normal") but transmission would also "clunk" and "lurch" when climbing hills. Local dealer (vista Ford) adjusted with computer on three occasions, and improved the problem, but now there is still the occasional delay before transmission engages and an occasional "bang" (worse than "clunk") along with a violent "jerk" (worse than a "lurch") and this now happens during normal driving on level ground. 2) for the entire 300 days I have owned the vehicle the illumination of the "message center" display is so dim during the day that it is amost impossible to read (dealer says this is a known problem with no factory fix). The display is not controlled by the rheostat that adjusts the brightness of the general instrument array so the problem must be with the intensity of the led display itself.
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.
Connector for dash board lights melted. Yh.
Dome lights would not go off when door was closed due to wiring failure.
Engine light failed.
When driving at night, ( this probably happens during the day also but isn't as noticable) dash lights, door panel lights and the cruise control lights go out frequently. I took the car to the dealership and they were "unable" to duplicate the problem, and know of no recalls for this problem. The lights have so far quickly come back on. However each time they go out, they stay out a little longer.
When trying to lower power windows and turn dome lights on they did not work, also, windshield wipers would not work at any time. Dealer has been contacted, and technician cant duplicate problem. Please provide further information.