NHTSA Complaint #10156975 — 1998 FORD EXPLORER

ON APRIL 4, 2006, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. I ARRIVED AT WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 3:15 PM. I WENT IN AND WENT TO WORK. AT ABOUT 3:55, I WAS PAGED OVER THE INTERCOM TO GET TO THE NORTH ENTRANCE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I GOT THERE THE SECURITY GUARDS TOLD ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. AS I LOOKED OUT THE DOORS, THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD GOT THERE AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE FIRE OUT. WHEN THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS A BIG MESS. MY TRUCK WAS GONE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE. MY CRUISE CONTROL HAD WENT OUT ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS EXCEPT FOR A SCREW IN THE DRIVERS SEAT (WHICH WAS THE ONLY RECALL LETTER THAT I HAD RECEIVED.) FOR DAYS THAT THEY CAN'T SPEAK TO ME ABOUT THE VEHICLE OR INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAYS THAT THEY WON'T SPEAK TO HIM EITHER. WHAT ARE WE AS CONSUMERS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THE PRODUCTS WE PURCHASE, AND FOR THE AMOUNT THEY ASK FOR THEIR PRODUCT , ARE LOST DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS? HOW ARE WE AS CONSUMERS PROTECTED? *JB