NHTSA Complaint #10169902 — 2000 FORD F-150

ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST 9 2006 WHILE WORKING IN MY GARAGE I NOTICE A BRIGHT FLICKER OF LIGHT COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE GARAGE IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF MY 2000 FORD F-150. I QUICKLY NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND MOLTEN PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING ALONG WITH FIRE THROUGH THE LEFT FRONT FENDER WELL. I IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OPERATED FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE OCCURRING. IT IS ONLY BECAUSE THAT I WAS WORKING IN MY GARAGE AND NOTICED THE BEGINNING OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS FIRE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A TOTAL LOSS AND MY HOME AND FAMILY WERE NOT DESTROYED OR INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AT THE DIRECTION OF MY INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER. FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSIGNING THE INSURED'S LIABILITY, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE TO BE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS POSSIBLY A RECALL ITEM. *NM