NHTSA Complaint #10172304 — 1998 FORD EXPLORER

OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE (ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF OUR HOUSE). IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE DAY BEFORE. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND TO OUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE. BOTH THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR INSPECTED THE SCENE OF THE FIRE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SWITCH WAS JUST RECALLED BY FORD FOR 1998 EXPLORERS IN AUGUST 2006. HOWEVER, OUR FAMILY DID NOT RECEIVE MAIL NOTIFICATION. OUT SUV WAS TOTALED AND THE ESTIMATED LOSS TO OUR DWELLING AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS ALONE IS $350,000. *NM