NHTSA Complaint #10102912 — 1999 FORD EXPEDITION

MY WIFE HAD PARKED OUR 1999 EXPIDITION FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE NOTICING SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR WAS SOON COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. SINCE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF FOR A WHILE, I SUSPECT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THIS VEHICLE HAD ALMOST 100K MILES AND WAS AN EDDY BAUER VERSION WITH THE SELF LEVELING FEATURE. I MENTION THIS BECAUSE APPROXAIMIATLY 30 MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING OF THE CAR, A COMPRESSOR TURNS ON AND LEVELS THE CAR, THIS IS NORMAL ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. I SUSPECT THAT THIS MOTOR IS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. SINCE THIS FIRE WAS OUTSIDE NO-ONE WAS HURT, BUT IF THIS HAD BEEN IN A GARAGE IT WOULD HAVE BURN'T DOWN THE HOUSE. SINCE THIS IS ONE OF THE OLDER VEHICLES WITH THIS FEATURE, THERE ARE MORE POTENTIAL FIRES OUT THERE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS POSSESION OF THE CAR AND WILL DESTORY IT IN 2 WEEKS, I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THIS TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN PAID SO I HAVE NO INTEREST OTHER THAN PREVENTING OTHER FIRES. CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND I WILL GET YOU THE INSURANCE CONTACT INFORMATION. *AK