NHTSA Complaint #723166 — 1998 FORD EXPEDITION

WHILE ON VACATION AT SONS HOME IN TROY MICHIGAN VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT ABOUT 9PM AND WHEN MY WIFE WENT TO GET THE CAR IN THE MORNING SHE FOUND IT MISSING. SHE WAS TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED ON FIRE AROUND 2AM IN THE MORNING WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE TROT MICHIGAN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE POUND. MY WIFE CONTACTED THE POLICE AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD BURNED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE IN TEXAS OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO NATIONWIDE INSURANCE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY EXPECTS TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE LATER TODAY 5-24-2000. AS OF NOW IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ALLL APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE CURRENT AND EXHIBITED NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE SPONTANIOUS FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE TROY MICHIGAN IMPOUND LOT. MY WIFE IS STRANDED IN MICHIGAN AND CAN BE REACHED AT 248 952 0802. *AK