NHTSA Complaint #10552446 — 2001 FORD EXPLORER

I WAS DRIVING AND I SAW AND SMELT SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY COULD TELL WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BECAUSE I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHT ON TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL, IT THEN TURNED INTO A FLAME,IT WAS INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE FORTUNATELY I HAD WATER WITH ME AND I POURED A LITTLE BIT OF WATER ON THE FLAMES THAT WERE COMING OUT OF WHERE THE HAZARD LIGHT IS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES,WITH THE FINAL RESULT BEING 2 FIRES. IT HAPPENED A 3RD TIME WITH JUST SMOKE. I NO LONGER HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND SOME OF MY INTERIOR LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS IE...MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON AS WELL AS MY CRUISE CONTROL WORKING WHEN IT WANTS TO AND OTHER TIMES NOT WORKING AT ALL PLUS THE BUTTONS ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEING HOT TO THE TOUCH! I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR! *TR