NHTSA Complaint #10413386 — 2005 FORD TAURUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SHE REALIZED THAT SMOKE WAS BEING EMITTED FROM UNDER THE WIPERS. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE EXPLODED AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000. UPDATED 08/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN ACTING A ERRATIC A WEEK PRIOR. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 09/12/11