NHTSA Complaint #10129551 — 2002 FORD F-150

DT: IN JUNE WHILE OWNER WAS SITTING THERE WAS A HONKING NOISE. OWNER WAS UNAWARE IF THE HONKING WAS FROM OTHER CARS OR FROM THE ALARM. THEN ,HE HEARD A LOUD POP. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW THE TRUCK ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 14.5 MILES FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE BEING PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN DRIVEWAY. WHEN OWNER SAW THE FIRE THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. IT BURNED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE, IT TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES FOR THEM TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ON IN THE VEHICLE NOR ANY OTHER TYPE OF WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND OWNER DIDN'T REALLY USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WERE NO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.. PART OF THE GARAGE BURNED AS WELL. THE FIRE REPORT STATED THAT THE BRAKE DEACTIVATING SWITCH WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR INVESTIGATORS TO VIEW. THE FIRE REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS MOSTLY CONCENTRATED IN THE LEFT REAR COMPARTMENT OF ENGINE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT.*AK