NHTSA Complaint #10112389 — 2000 FORD F SERIES (LIGHT)

ON JAUNUARY 28, 2005 I TOOK MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION TO FAMILY FORD IN MARIETTA, OH TO HAVE THE NECESSARY ITEM DISCONNECTED TO AVOID A FIRE. I HAD HEARD THE CAUTION ON THE NATIONAL NEWS AND TOOK THE CAR IN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF ABOVE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. DURING THE FIRST PART OF FEBRUARY 2005 I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I DID NOT ACT ON THE LETTER AS I HAD ALREADY DONE WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED AND PLANNED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A PERMANANT REPAIR WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. ON 2-24-05 ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES AFTER I HAD PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR THE NIGHT MY HUSBAND, WHO HAD BEEN OUTSIDE, OPENED THE DOOR AND CALLED IN "CALL 911 YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE". HE THEN WENT OUTSIDE AND TRIED TO USE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER THROUGH THE GRILL TO STEM THE FIRE. THE WILLIAMSTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY, PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE/HOOD, ETC. DISAPPEARING IN THE FIRE, THE BATTERY BLEW UP AND THERE IS LEAD ALL OVER OUR HOUSE, YARD, AS WELL AS ANTI-FREEZE SOAKED INTO THE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. CERTAINLY AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD TO OUR FAMILY WHICH INCLUDES THREE DOGS. ALSO A PROBLEM FOR THE NEIGHBOR DOGS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS INFORMED AND ON 3-1-05 I WAS GIVEN THE OPTION OF LETTING MY INSURANCE HANDLE IT OR HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP [ANOTHER EXPENSE] AND HAVING THEM EVALUATE IF IT IS A MECHANICAL DEFECT. IF IT IS FORD WOULD GIVE ME TRADE-IN VALUE. OBVIOUSLY I CANNOT REPLACE THE CAR FOR THE TRADE-IN VALUE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEAN UP OF MY HOUSE AND DRIVEWAY. *AK