NHTSA Complaint #10294028 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

ON JULY 6, 2009, MY FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN BURNED UP. I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP SUPPER WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I WENT ON, PICKED UP SUPPER, AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING. I PULLED AROUND THE CORNER IN THE PARKING LOT, PARKED AGAIN, AND POPPED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR AREA. I TOOK MY TODDLER OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN INTO A STORE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE CAR WAS DESTROYED AND A TOTAL LOSS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AND GIVEN TO MCDONALD'S TOWING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT THAT IT LOOKED LIKE POSSIBLE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. *TR