NHTSA Complaint #10238097 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

MINIVAN CAUGHT FIRE AS RESULT OF TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. DRIVING ON A SHORT EXCURSION (ABOUT 50 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) WITH GIRL SCOUTS THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS NOT CLEAN OR CLEAR AS NORMAL. AS THEY APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP THE TRANSMISSION OVER-DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLED AWAY FROM THE STOP IT WAS NOT ABLE ACCELERATE ABOVE 45 MPH AND APPROXIMATELY HALF MILE FROM THE STOP THE DRIVER WAS ALERTED OF FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE BY PASSING DRIVERS. THE MINIVAN DRIVER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO EVACUATE PASSENGERS AND CALL FOR HELP. WHEN THE VAN WAS STOPPED AND ITS ENGINE TURNED OFF THE FIRE SUBSIDED WITH LITTLE DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT ABSORBENT TO DRY OIL DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA BEHIND THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. AS OF 8/13/08 IT IS THERE WAITING FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR