Complaint 541641

Complaint Summary

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Owner Narrative

I BOUGHT A 1992 FORD EXPLORER ON 2-16-2005 FROM A PRIVITE PARTY THRU THE NEWPAPER. ON 04-16-05 I WAS DRIVING TO SOFTBALL PRACVICE ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN A GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME IN HIS OWN VEHICLE YELLED GET OUT OF YOUR CAR IT IS ON FIRE. HE LET ME TURN IN FRONT OF HIM AND I PULLED IN TO A PARKING SPACE AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR. WITHIN 3 TO 4 MINUTES THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPELETLY IN FLAMES. ALL THE WIDOWS BROKE AND THE TIRES POPPED. THE SEAT I WAS SITTING IN ONLY MINUTES BEFORE WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. THE FIREMEN CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BY THEN MY FORD EXPLORER WAS TOTLED. I WAS VERY LUCKY I DID NOT HAVE MY STEPCHILDREN WITH ME THAT DAY AND I WAS TOLD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN TIME FOR MYSELF NOT TO HAVE BEEN HURT. I ONLY HAD LIABILTIY INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS WERE BURNT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE THAT CAN CAUSE SMOKE AND FIRE.I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THEY SAID THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE SITUATION. I RECIEVED A GENERIC LETTER FROM THEM SAYING THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. I FEEL VERY LUCKY IN A SENCE THAT I DID NOT LOSE MY LIFE THAT DAY, BUT ALSO VERY VIOLATED THAT I NOW HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR AND REPLACE BELONGINGS THAT WERE DESTROYED.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.