NHTSA Complaint #10138633 — 2000 LINCOLN LS

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SWAYED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER LOSTCONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A MOMENT. SUDDENLY FLAMES ERUPTED OUT OF THE FRONT TIRE AREA. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED TO THE LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN ABOUT 100 FEET AND HAD COME TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND ESCAPED FROM THE VEHICLE. A PEDESTRIAN PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALER WHO SAUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS A SEPARATION OF THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINES. THE CONSUMER SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A RECALL THAT THE CONSUMER BELIEVED PERTAINED TO HER VEHICLE. (RECALL 00V359001 WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, WHO SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS WERE MADE AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT COME. *SC . *AK