NHTSA Complaint #10132940 — 1997 FORD F-150

MY 1997 F-150 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN IN 18 HOURS. MY TWELVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND A NEIGHBOR PUT THE FIRE OUT. IN SPEAKING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY HAVE A RECALL ON CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES BUT UNTIL TODAY IT DID NOT GO BACK TO MY YEAR MODEL. DUE TO A TELEVISION BROADCAST ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2005 FORD HAS NOW INCLUDED VEHICLES UP TO 1995 HOWEVER WHEN I SPOKE WITH THEM TODAY THEY ADVISED IT ONLY INCLUDES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AT PARTICULAR PLANTS WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER STATED "MORE THAN LIKELY THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH". MY FAMILY AND I WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF LIFE AS MY CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS ARE LOCATED ABOVE THE GARAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FORD EXTEND THIS RECALL TO EVERY VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF THE PLANT IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF MY COSTS HOWEVER FORD IS DENYING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD OFFER TO HELP MAKE THIS COMPANY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR MANUFACTURING PRACTICES WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *NM