NHTSA Complaint #10131661 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD FOCUS, I CAME TO A FOUR WAY STOP AND THE CAR CEASED TO WORK, AS IF I HAD TURNED OFF THE KEY...NO SPUTTERING, JUST STOPPED. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT LURCHED FORWARD, DIED AGAIN, JUST AS BEFORE. AS I LOOKED OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, I OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I EXITED THE CAR AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELLS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. PEOPLE BEGAN SPRAYING WATER ON THE CAR FROM GARDEN HOSES, TWO PEOPLE STOPPED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND NOTHING PUT OUT THE FLAMES. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, WITHIN 10 MINUTES, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. PIECES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE MELTING AND FALLING OFF THE ENGINE ONTO THE GROUND. POLICE ARRIVED TO DIRECT TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO WENDLE FORD, AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY REMOVED THE VEHICLE TO THEIR PREMISES THE NEXT DAY. I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM IN A FIVE YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. AS I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF FIRE IN THIS VEHICLE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY INVESTIGATE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *JB