NHTSA Complaint #10288550 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR DEVELOPED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN AT ALL DURING THE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE LAST TIME IT WAS DRIVEN PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CAR REPEATEDLY LOST POWER (DECELERATED, NEARLY TO A STOP) WHILE DRIVING ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WAS INEFFECTIVE DURING SUCH EPISODES. POWER RETURNED AND THE CAR WOULD ACCLERATE AND MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED ONCE THE CAR RETURNED TO LEVEL GROUND. I HAD NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM AT ALL DURING THAT LAST TRIP AND USED IT RARELY IN THE 12 YEARS THAT I OWNED THE CAR. THE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND ALL OTHER MAJOR SYSTEMS UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE SURFACE OF MY DRIVEWAY AND A SMALL AREA OF MY LAWN. *TR