NHTSA Complaint #10397988 — 2006 FORD EXPEDITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED FROM THE ROADWAY AND WHEN THE CONTAC EXITED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND BLACK SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE POLICE WERE DISPATCHED AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED AND OPENED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE ALSO FLAMES FROM THE INTERIOR AND UNDER THE FRAME. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE CHIEF ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE AND AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE BUT THE RESULTS WERE INCONCLUSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.