NHTSA Complaint #10249441 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

WE RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE AS A GIFT, ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AFTER THE VEHICLES ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT STOPPED WORKING. IT KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE FOR THIS. WE HAVE CHANGE THE FUSES MULTIPLE TIMES SOMETIMES WE GET IT IN, TURN ON THE CAR IT WILL BLOW OR PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND IT WILL BLOW. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE VAN STARTED SMOKING AND WE SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. WE HAD 3 OF OUR 4 KIDS WITH US, IT REALLY SCARED US. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE LOCATED THE PROBLEM FINALLY, IT IS A FAULTY SWITCH --APPARENTLY FORD NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES THE BRAKE FLUID DRIPS ON TO THE SWITCH WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND DRIPS ON TO THE WIRES, WHICH CAUSES THE FUSE TO BLOW AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE (THE MECHANIC HAS KNOWN OF TWO BURNING TO THE GROUND). WHY SHOULD WE PAY $95 HR FOR LABOR PLUS PARTS WITH A JOB THAT TAKE 4-5 HOURS TO DO?! THIS IS SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS!! I HEARD THEY HAVE A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IF YOU AREN'T MECHANICAL WHY SHOULD BE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT?! I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THE MECHANIC TOLD US A RECALL HAS BEEN ON THESE BUT WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALER THEY TELL US NO RECALL IS ON OUR PARTICLE VAN. ANY WEBSITE THAT HELPS YOU REPAIR THESE SHOWS AND TELLS ABOUT THE COST INVOLVED AND THE HUGE RISK OF FIRE! CAN SOMETHING BE DONE? WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX THIS. THANKS! *TR