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Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator Fires

Mack of Alto MI (2/24/05):
Our Ford Expedition strted on fire in our driveway after being driven for about 10 minutes to the store. The engine exploded and the fire department was called. The vehicle was totaled and at the time we had no insurance on the vehicle so we were left holding the bag of a vehicle that was at least worth the payoff of $10,000.

Flaming Fords • Report: Millions of Fire-Prone Fords Still on the Roads • Ford: Parts Now Available to Fix Faulty Cruise Control • Ford Trucks Burn in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina • Feds Probe Ford Windstar for Fire Hazard • Ford Truck Suspected in North Texas House Fire • Ford Cruise Control Fire Strikes Florida Car Dealership • Ford Hopes to Wind Down Recall of Fire-Prone Vehicles • Ford Expedition Suspected in Fatal Ohio Home Fire • Ford Fires Continue Despite Long-Delayed Federal Warning • Feds Warn Some Ford Trucks and Cars Can Erupt in Flames • Ford Fire Lawsuits Spread • Ford Recalls 57,000 More Trucks, SUVS for Fire Hazard • Ford Fires Strike in Minnesota, California • Ford Plans Another Recall to Fix Fire Hazard • Ford Fire Hazard Recall Creeps Along • Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute Continue Ford Fire Tradition • Ford Fires Kill Pets and Spread Despair as Year Ends • Ford Lacks Parts for Fire Recall Repair • New F150 Erupts in Flames as Ford Truck Fires Rage On • Red Hot Texas Car-B-Que • Kerry Vows Action to Get Flaming Fords Off the Road • Flaming Ford Scandal Disgraces Ford, Feds • Ford Tries Again to Fix Fire Problem with Massive Recall • One Ford the Recall Missed • Ford Stops Sales of Big Super Duty, Recalls 2008 Trucks • Ford Recalls 155,000 More Trucks to Fix Fire Hazard • Feds Probe Fires in Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute • Feds Wind Up Ford Engine Fire Probe with Massive Recall • Ford Truck Fires Mount as Recall Rolls Slowly • Ford Trucks Burn As Recall Fiddles • Ford Truck Fire Fix Delayed by Parts Shortage • Ford Recalls 4 Million Trucks to Fix Fire Risk • Nader Demands NHTSA Warn Ford Truck Owners • Wrongful Death Suit Charges House Fire Started in F-150 • Feds Look Deeper for Ford Fire Causes • Recall Leaves Many Questions Unanswered • Houston Lawyers Sue Ford • Ford Recalls Some Fire-Prone Models • Feds Probe Ford F-150 Engine Fires • Ford Recall Was Biggest Ever --- • Bronco • Crown Victoria • Dump truck • Expedition • Explorer • F-150 • Other F-Series Trucks • Focus • Mustang • Ranger Pickup • Taurus • Windstar

Shannon of Tampa (1/28/05):
My 2000 Expedition caught on fire in my garage in the middle of the night on Jan 15th 2004. The fire started 7 hours after being parked. Smoke detectors woke my husband and me up ... we were able to get our 2 little girls and our dog out safely. My 3-year-old never even woke up until we were outside wondering if our home was going to burst into flames. The firemen saved the house but we had to move out for 4 months for repairs. Ford treated us horribly during our ordeal.

Damage Resulting: Car burned, inside garage and attic burned, entire home and all of our belongings smoke-damaged. Hours and hours away from work and months haggling for repairs while living in a small apartment without any of our things.

Turner of Baton Rouge (2/24/05):
2000 Ford Eddie Bauer Expedition caught fire in my driveway last night. We received the recall notice last week. We had not made an appointment to take the vehicle in to the dealer as the tone of the letter did not seem serious. Fortunately no one was hurt. Had the Expedition been parked in the garage, my house would have caught fire and quite possibly would have burned down.

Marlene of Humble TX (2/16/05):
Our 2000 Ford Expedition caught fire in a Jason's Deli parking lot after having sat parked for 5 hours. It totally destroyed it beyond any repair. Flames were as high as the buildings around and we are only grateful it wasn't parked at home and would've burned the house down. Ironically we received the recall letter today (02/16/2005). What is Ford going to do about this?

Miguel of Richmond TX (2/16/05):
On July 05, 2004, we awoke to a fire at 4:45 am. Our 1997 Ford F150 Pick up was ablaze. By the time the fire department arrived, the truck had burned completely. It also totaled a 2003 Toyota 4Runner that was parked next to it, a 2002 Larson boat, and a carport. Before the fire, we were having trouble with the cruise control and we had to keep replacing the fuses.

Dimiti of Baltimore MD (2/15/05):
On 2-14-05 I drove my 1997 Eddie Bauer Ford Expedition vehicle from work to the gym, which is approximately 5 miles away. About 30 minutes later i was told by the trainer at the gym that my truck was on fire. Since the truck was paid for, i only had liability insurance on it. The poor SUV parked next to me was ruined and possibly also is going to be considered a total loss.

I heard about the recalls for the 2000 models and considered myself lucky that it wasn't mine. Boy was I wrong. I would hate for someone to leave a pet in the SUV while they run into the post office or something.

Ron of San Antonio TX (1/14/05):
On Dec. 24, 2004, my 2000 Expedition caught fire while parked at Costco, and we were shopping inside. An alert employee extinguished the fire with a chemical extinguisher, so the damage was relatively minor ($5,300) The fire was at the master cylinder (cruise control switch). Ford sent me a letter saying it was out of warranty and my insurance company could subrogate if they wanted.

We've been inconvenienced by only having one car, spent $1,075.00 for towing and insurance deductible. Future resale value of the vehicle will be diminished, and lost time from work dealing with insurance, dealers, NHTSA etc.

Lisa of Mokena IL (1/28/05):
I had a 1998 Eddie Bauer Ford Expedition. Now that I have read about the the recall that Ford is finally conceding to, I thought I would add my story. In August, 2004, I had gone on an errand with my two children for about half an hour. When I arrived back home, I parked the car in our attached garage, as I usually do. About a half an hour later, my son asked me to back the car out so he and his friend could play ping pong in the garage. For some odd reason, I said I would park the car in the street, although I typically never parked my truck in the street.

About 15 minutes later, I was in my backyard when my daughter came to tell me that the truck's hood was smoking. Within 10 minutes, the entire front of my truck was up in flames. The flames were so high they burned the entire front of the tree the truck was parked beneath, and melted the concrete on the street. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had left the truck in my garage. I am a piano teacher and was going inside shortly to start teaching, and would have been downstairs with my students when the fire started.

Thank God for the Fire Department. The insurance compnay declared the truck a total loss, of course. I immediately contacted Ford as well, and was assured by someone in the "Consumer Assistance" department that no such case of any fires in Expeditions had ever been reported, but they would look into it, and someone would call me as soon as possible. A few weeks later, I received a "Dear John" letter from Ford, stating they apologized but could do nothing to help our situation, and my insurance company was responsible for any financial hardship that may have incurred, not Ford.

I still can't believe this happened, and they would take no action when there are so many cases that have been reported. Does someone have to die for it to be addressed in a better manner than a recall of only certain vehicles? My truck was a 1998, and they only recalled 2000-2001 trucks, to my knowledge. What about the other model years?

My truck, which I had taken very good care of, was totalled, leaving us in the unwanted position of having to purchase a new vehicle. The insurance company only gave us blue book value of our truck, which covered the amount we still owed on the Expedition. This left us with having to make the full down payment on a vehicle we hadn't planned to buy in the first place.

Cynthia of Houston (1/13/05):
On December 30, 2004 my mom had came back from Wal-mart around 12 am. She parked our 2000 Ford Expedition along the front curb of our house. We had family come in from Mexico and had let them park in the driveway. Thank God our Expedition was not parked in our garage. Around 3:30 am we were awaked by loud knocking on our front door. We went outside and I saw about 3 firemen putting out a fire in my SUV.

This is the worst experience that I have ever had. The smell is just HORRIBLE! The arson investigator said that it started in the engine -- it was an electrical malfunction. When my mom parked she had also parked right behind our '94 Grand Marquis. The entire back of that car also was burnt. Now we are out 2 cars!

Brian of West Columbia SC (1/6/05):
Our 1998 Ford Expedition caught on fire after being driven about 10 miles then parked. The vehicle had to be extinguished to keep it from going up in smoke. We bought the vehicle new in 1997.

THe fire was caused by a short in the cruise de-activation switch according to the Bob Bennett Ford dealership in Columbia, SC. A hole burned in the master cylinder as a result of the short (the cruise deactivation switch is located on the master cylinder). The damage was over $2K and is not complete yet.

Ford claimed they would not help me with this since the had never seen this problem before. I saw an article on the news the very next day stating that Ford Expeditions and F150s are being investigated for this very reason. This has been a major pain and the value of the car is now probably close to zero since it has previously caught fire. Sounds like a class action law suit is in order.

I cannot belive how Ford is behaving in dealing with the many similar complaints. I will help in any way concerning a legal remedy against Ford. I also have a Ford F150 which I fully expect to go up in flames any minute. My wife will no longer park her Expedition in the garage. THis is a major problem which Ford needs to deal with. THanks for what you guys do in helping resolve these issues.

Kathy of Buford GA (1/5/05):
My 2000 Ford Expedition caught on fire and burnt to the ground 2 weeks ago. I am absolutely shocked to read so many of these vehicles are doing this. I had driven the car 17 hrs. before. It was parked in my driveway. I heard an explosion and then a smaller explosion in my bonus room right above my garage. I went outside and saw at least 6 ft. of flames coming off the left front side of my car where the engine is.

By the time the firefighters put it out, it was totally burnt inside - the front tires popped, the windows blew out, there was nothing left of the steering wheel or the dash. It also took part of the siding on my house and the garage and driveway are still being worked on. At least I wasn't hurt.

If you own one of these cars...BEWARE! Do not park anywhere near your house or in the garage. If I had parked in the garage, I would probably be dead (I was working in the room above the garage). Do not carry things you treasure in these vehicles because insurance can not replace these irreplaceable items.

The garage, driveway, siding, side window on house and car are being completely replaced. I had $3500 to $4000 worth of belongings in the car. They had to smoke clean my house and all my clothes and shoes 5 days before Christmas (including gifts that I was suppose to give at X-mas). I was not allowed in my home right before Christmas.

Lisa of Lake Charles LA (12/12/04):
My 2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition caught fire two hours after it was parked last night. The firemen said it was electrical. The damage is to the left side of the engine under the hood.

Approximately 5 minutes after entering the store, the cashier said, "Look, there's a fire in the parking lot." After initially ignoring her comment, I went to the front of the store to observe flames shooting about 15 feet out of the hood of our vehicle. Police were on scene and had discharged two dry chemical fire extinguishers to no effect. It continued to burn until the local volunteer fire department arrived and doused the flames with a ton of water.

The hood was completely melted along with the entire engine compartment and dashboard.

Linda of Yorba Linda CA (11/29/04):
I own a 2000 Ford Expediton and on November 19th, I drove to work and parked my car and 1 1/2 hours later I was told that my car was on fire in the parking lot. It was put out quickly and no one was hurt. The origin of the fire is under the hood on the left side near the dash. I have been reading that this has happened to other people. Ford should do something before someone gets hurt.

Shannon of Millbrook AL (11/17/04):
I arrived home around 10 p.m. At approximately 10:30 p.m., my boyfriend arrived at my home stating he needed a fire extinguisher because my Ford Expedition was on fire. He then told me to call the fire department because his efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. I called the fire department and my father. By the time I made it outside, there were several police cars, the hood of my Expedition was in flames, and I was being forced to get out of my home. One fireman came to me and told me it was an electrical fire that started under the hood of the Expedition.

Timothy of Hixson TN (12/17/04):
On June 19th, I loaded my three kids up and took them to daycare. I arived at work around eight thirty, and parked. Nothing out of the ordinary. About 10:15 an employee noticed flames shooting out from underneath my front driver's side fender. I first notified the firefighter who was inside my resturant installing fire extinguishers and then my insurance company. Fortunately, the firefighter ran outside and put the fire out. The truck was repaired and I have not had any problems but I am still paying on a truck that I will never be able to sell because of fire damage. Nor will I ever know if it will happen again.

Henry of Williamson GA (11/28/04):
In Oct. 2003 our 1999 Navigator burned to the ground. This happened in our daughter's yard. Ignition off! No investigation. We just accepted it and were thankful no one hurt. I do not know why we keep buying Ford products.

In 1995, our home was destoyed by fire and barely escaped with our lives at 4am. Our pomeramian saved us by scratching my arm and barking! She LOST her life by saving ours. They blamed our 1994 LSC for the fire. We also had a 1994 F-150 Eddie Bauer pickup destroyed. Both were sitting side by side in enclosed garage.

Our wonderful fire dept. told investigators they knew it started from the car but they were too busy to go to court. Our home insurance was adequate and did not pursue.

The Navigator was just an inconvenience and a big mess in yard. The 1995 fire changed our lives completely! Destroyed 9000 sq. ft. house, a 40ft. swimming pool ... antiques in basement along with $30,000 building supplies not insured. Husband had just returned home the day before from 11-day stay in hospital for reconstuctive back surgery and rehurt his back trying to save our "Trixie."

Nothing was saved -- jewelry, clothes, etc.. We did not rebuild. We sold and moved to another county. And what do we drive now? Twp Ford products! No enclosed garages! If we had a garage, the Navigator would have gotten this house, too.

After 9 yrs. I finally got this off my chest. Ford should have been sued!

Harrison of Houston (11/29/04):
My 2000 Ford F-150 caught fire and burned after sitting in the parking lot at work for 7 hours on August 31, 2004. It appears the fire started under the hood near or on the master cylinder. It was a total loss in about 5 minutes.

Total loss of my truck, the insurance did pay my retail for it but after I paid ford off; not much left to get something else.

Barbara of Birmingham AL (10/30/04):
On 10/28, 2004, my 2000 Ford Expedition caught on fire. On my morning break I ran an errand to the bank, I was gone about 20 mintutes. I was back at my desk working when a co-worker informed me that smoke was coming from my Expedition. I got my keys and went to the parking lot and noticed that flames were coming from under the hood. I ran inside to call 911. My Expedition was destroyed, a total loss. The fire seem to have started from the driver side. That's where most of the damage occured.

The Expedition was parked directly by my home. If my neighbor had not seen my car on fire, there is a chance it could have caught my home on fire, or it could have caught on fire with me in the car or worse.

Holly of Jackson MO (8/10/04):
My 2002 Ford Expedition spontaneously caught on fire and burned to a total loss in minutes. I had only driven 26 miles from home to my work site when I arrived and the vehicle acted like it was about to die. I stopped the vehicle and the temperature gauge went instantly hot, then all of the other gauges starting bouncing back and forth. In an instant an explosion happened and the front of the vehicle was covered in flames.

I was unable to escape from the driver's side door, because the flames outside had already reached my door. I had to climb out of the passenger side door in order to reach safety. The vehicle was a total loss in minutes; by the time the fire department got there my vehicle was gone.

I called the Ford Consumer Service center and they say they are experiencing temporary difficulties and are unable to help me. It just seems funny they listen to everything I have to say and then state they are unable to help me due to technical difficulties. The only technical difficulty is Ford not wanting to recognize they have a huge problem.

Debra of Miami FL (7/18/04):
I bought a 2000 Ford Expedition. This was the worse mistake of my life. This was a $30,000+ vehicle with an extended warranty that cost $1,700+. The sidview mirrors went out, the back windshield wiper went out (something I only used twice), the airbag sensor and switch went out, the cigarette lighter socket went out, the cruise control went out, the windshield wiper fluid control went out, the PCM switch went out (that switch alone costs $300.00), the pressure switch on the master cylinder caught fire (which is a common problem for which many, many people have had their Expedition or F150 trucks burn completely to the ground.

Ford Motor Co. takes absolutely no responsibility for any of the defects or problems. None of the defects or problems are covered under the warranty which you paid top dollar for. I do, however, consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. I am still alive after owning a Ford product. Others have not been so lucky. Expeditions, F-150s, Focus, and Crown Victorias are all known to have major fire hazards, and many people have lost their lives or their vehicles and property as a result of these fires.

Andy of Cypress TX (6/2/04):
We went camping and my wife’s 97 Ford Expedition spontaneously went on fire at 02:00 am in morning. This 5+ hours after it had been stopped. The truck is a write off and currently being looked over by our insurance company (Allstate), who strongly suspect an electrical wiring issue.

We were extremely fortunate just to lose the truck. If it were not for fellow campers who doused the fire with fire extinguishers and water who knows what would have happened. The person at Allstate who dealing with our claim, mentioned that there have been “several” instances of Ford trucks bursting into flames after being parked.

John of Katy TX (12/30/03):
We parked our 2000 Ford Expedition XLT in front of our house after driving it about 45 miles towing our boat. We arrived home about 9:15 p.m. About 10:30 p.m., my neighbor knocked on my door and told me that my car was on fire. Flames were coming out from under the hood and the left front tire was on fire.

We sprayed the vehicle with garden hoses until the fire department arrived. After inspecting the damage, the firemen indicated that the fire started on top of the engine and was probably due to electrical failure. The vehicle was a total loss. The Ford dealership from whom we bought our last two cars merely offered to tow the Expedition for free.

Patti of Remlap AL (5/25/02):
I was the owner of a 2001 Ford Expedition. I traveled 160 miles the morning that my truck caught on fire. The truck had 22,000 miles on it and was in excellent condition. The service record was perfect, I was meticulous about having the oil changed every 3,000 miles (not ever 5,000 as recommended by Ford) and any service performed that was scheduled. I had parked in the driveway and had been home for about 15 minutes when I looked out of my kitchen window and discovered that there was smoke coming from the drivers side window that I had left partially down. The truck was a total loss.

The fire investigator for the insurance company states that it is an electrical problem. I would like to know if there are any other complaints registered to Ford Expeditions, Ford will not acknowledge any problems. I have investigated and there are fires associated with the F-150 trucks (the Expedition and the F-150 are built on the same platform).

I lost several thousand dollars worth of personal items that was in the vehicle and isnusrance did not cover this. I have wondered what would have happened if this had happened in a crowded Wal-Mart parking lot, or if my children had been with me. Was this a slow fire or one that erupted quickly? Would I have been able to get out safely?

Barbara of Tucson (3/31/04):
The Expedition was parked in our driveway (which is directly outside the master bedroom window). It was around 4:45 pm and our bedroom window was open but the blinds were down blocking the direct afternoon sun. My husband was working in the sitting room which is adjacent to the master bedroom when he said he smelled something burning… he came into the kitchen to see if it was something I was cooking (as I don’t cook too often!).

We then began checking the house for a source of the smell. My grandson looked out the window and told his Papa Jim that the Expedition was smoking. I rushed my daughter and her kids along with our dogs out to the backyard of the house while my husband was on the phone with the Fire Department stating that his vehicle was on fire. Fortunately the Fire Department arrived within 3-5 minutes which contained the fire to only a small portion of the house… namely the master bedroom window (where the headboard of our bed is located) blinds, and some wood paneling and eaves of the house.

The Expedition was totaled. The insurance towing company that picked up the pieces of the Expedition stated that he had picked up another Expedition the day before for the same reason!

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