NHTSA Complaint #10294135 — 2003 FORD EXPEDITION

ON JUNE 19 2009, RETURNING HOME FROM A SHORT TRIP, THICK SMOKE ERUPTED WITH STRONG RUBBER SMELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AND INFORM THEM OF THE SAFETY ISSUE, AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH, FORD GENERAL CONSUL OFFICE MADE DECISION THAT THE ISSUE IS NOT SAFETY HAZARDS AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. PAT MILLIKEN FORD HAS THE VEHICLE, AND INSPECTED THE DAMAGE, WHICH DECLARED TO BE VERY EXTENSIVE THE REPAIR COST MAY EXCEED $2000.00. FORD GENERAL CONSUL WAS INFORMED OF THE DAMAGE AND STILL WILL NOT CONSIDER IT AS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT BURST ON FIRE. MY SMART AND QUICK REACTION TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND CUT THE POWER OFF PREVENTED A DISASTER TO HAPPEN, AND YET AS A CONSUMER I'M LEFT WITH HEFTY REPAIR BILLS FOR A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WIRING.*TR