NHTSA Complaint #10733270 — 2004 FORD F-250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE WINDOW WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE WIPER MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V258000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.