NHTSA Complaint #10293910 — 2000 FORD RANGER

I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER. FOR THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THE DOOR SENSORS FAILING, INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING OR NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH, AND ANTI-THEFT LIGHT FLASHING (I DO NOT HAVE AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, JUST A FLASHING RED LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD). THEN A MONTH AGO, I CAME TO A STOP SIGN, STOPPED, AND TURNED ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN TWO PUFFS OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I DROVE A MILE TO MY HOME AND SHUT THE TRUCK OFF. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH BUT I DID NOT SEE ANY OTHER EVIDENCE OF A FIRE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERING THAT THE FORD EXPLORER HAD A RECALLED MULTI-SWITCH, LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN, I HAD THE MULTI-SWITCH REPLACED IN MY RANGER. THE DOOR SENSORS STILL DON'T WORK (THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON), BUT ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY MORE SMOKE. THIS MONTH'S ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS NOTED A RECALL FOR FORD RANGERS FROM 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 FOR A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY RANGER DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE SAME MULTI-SWITCH. *TR