NHTSA Complaint #10114777 — 1998 FORD EXPEDITION

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES STOPPED WORKING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, AND I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. I LOOKED AT THE FUSE BOX AND FOUND A FUSE BLOWN. WHEN I REPLACED THE FUSE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING PROFUSELY. I PULLED THE FUSE OUT RIGHT AWAY, AND HAD SOMEONE WATCH AS I PUT IT BACK IN. THE SMOKING STARTED AGAIN, AND IT WAS COMING FROM SOME TYPE OF BRAKE SWITCH ON THE FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I TOOK THE CAR TO AIRPORT FORD IN FLORENCE, KY, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2000 FORDS WERE BEING RECALLED FOR. I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RE-CALL, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT YEAR OR VIN. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY BECAUSE IT WAS THE EXACT SAME SWITCH CAUSING THE EXACT SAME FIRE THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING. I HAD TO PAY $158.14 PLUS $15.00 "SHOP SUPPLIES" PLUS $10.39 IN TAXES, TOTALING $183.53 FOR A DESIGN AND SAFETY FLAW - THE SAME ONE THAT THEY SAY ONLY AFFECTS THE 2000 MODELS. FORD IS TRYING TO KEEP FROM TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS EVEN THOUGH EVEN THEIR OWN DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS SAY IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.*AK