Rain/snow cause water to leak into the GEM module & fuse box under driver's side dashboard causing complete electrical failure, wacky electrical things like fan motor running without key in ignition, strange "stupid lights" periodically on dash, etc. Have replaced these twice, very expensive.

- Franklin, TN, USA

I am having severe electrical problems with the 2000 Ford eb Expedition. These problems were caused by a defect in the seal of the factory installed windshield leaking water into the cab of the vehicle. There have been many incidents where the vehicle has become incapacitated, and one instance when smoke emerged from the driver's side of the front dashboard water was seeping into the cab and accessing the fuse box. Upon contact a short was created, causing the climate control unit, heater and A/C unit fan to begin blowing when the key was removed from the ignition. This problem occurred anytime the vehicle was exposed to rain or snow.

- Spokane, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Expedition. The contact witnessed smoke ascending from the fuse panel and disconnected the battery. Water was leaking into the vehicle, but the source was unknown. The cause of failure has not been diagnosed. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.

- Elizabeth, PA, USA

1. vehicle operating normally, stalled and would not start on interstate. 2. GEM failed due to water, carpet and behind firewall wet. Potentially fatal due to total immobilization of vehicle. Towed. 3. GEM and fuse box replaced, see below looks like NHTSA investigation and engineering study started. 39 cases reported NHTSA action number : PE05033 NHTSA recall campaign number : N/a make : Ford model: Expedition manufacturer : Ford Motor Company year : 2000 component : electrical system date investigation opened : June 15, 2005 date investigation closed : open summary: Complainants allege that when it rains or snows, water leaks into the vehicle around the windshield. The water seeps into the fuse box and Ford's GEM (generic electronic module) causing the wipers and other electrical components to malfunction. The GEM controls multiple functions, including, among other things, wipers and lighting.

- Houston, TX, USA

6-12 months ago, 2000 Ford Expedition started having erratic electrical behavior. Windshield wipers quit working during rainstorm while away on vacation. Was very hazardous to have happen while driving down highway during a downpour! radio would go on and off while shifting the automatic transmission. Took to dealer (still under warranty at this time), they "tightened up some things", problem went away, until next rain storm! due to needing the vehicle, I could not get it back to dealer before factory warranty expired. I thought it would be ok though, because I had purchased a "premium" extended warranty. Took to dealer a second time, now truck tries to start itself with no key in ignition, wipers again fail while driving during rainstorm, heater blower motor remains running after exiting vehicle. This drains the battery if left overnight, and results in an inoperable vehicle. Truck four wheel drive indicators flash on and off at times while driving. Not a good feeling when traveling 70 mph on the freeway. After inspection, dealer informs me that water has intruded into the dash components due to a leaking windshield. They state the extended warranty wont cover it because they dont cover "water intrusions". GEM module, fusebox need replaced, windshield resealed to fix problem. Quote of about $1000 I declined repairs at the time. Went home and researched the problem. Seems many, many people have had the same problem. I called Ford and after many phone calls, they declined to do anything about it. I am very disappointed with Ford. Have always bought their products because I believed they stood behind their reliability and workmanship. Here is a factory installed windshield that started leaking before their 3/36 warranty expired, their dealer "band-aided" the problem instead of fixing the cause of the problem while still under warranty. Now I have an inoperable vehicle in my driveway that frankly, seems to be a major safety risk to put my family of six in.

- Marion, MT, USA

My husband happened to be walking up to my car and noticed the smoke coming from the hood. When he opened the hood the cruise control switch was on fire. We still have it disconnected because we're afraid it will catch the car on fire.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Consumer parked vehicle at 9:00 am, and at around 4:00 pm fire started in the engine compartment on driver's side. Fire spread to house. Air conditioner compressor was replaced nearly six months before fire. Fuse went out on a blinker. Never had problems with cruise control. Rarely used cruise control. Made a long trip within 3 weeks before fire and cruise were working.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Reported engine losing power to dealership while vehicle was under warranty on 2 prior occasions before vehicle shut down totally while in driving mode. Dealer's service department could not find a problem on those prior visits. With the complete power failure, the dealer's service department found that a fire had occurred in the electrical junction box, burning several wires that had to be replaced. Dealer insisted that this total shutdown had nothing to do with previous lost of power that I reported to them. I was fortunate not to be in a lot of traffic when my failure occurred, but the next person may not be so lucky.

- New Orleans, LA, USA