This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Have had my Excursion recalled for 2 years now for a faulty cruise control. Had it disconnected in 9/2007. Ford keeps putting me off getting in fixed. They are now telling me that the parts will not be avail until 6/2008.
On 26jan06 I took my 2000 Ford Excursion limited edition to eddie yalklin Ford dealership in kingsville Texas for a safety inspection of my SUV due to the fact that I had a fire and smoke coming from under the hood of the Excursion after a trip. When I took the Excursion and they inspected it they could see where the fire had started, it was coming from a switch that is located on the brake master cylinder body area. I told them that the only way I was able to stop the smoke and fire from starting was to disconnect the electric wire connector which was from the cruise control switch from the brake master cylinder system. After going over all this with the service rep. They told me that this was not a problem and that there were no recalls at this time. Well I told him that I knew about the other Ford trucks and SUV that had the same problem and some did hurt people because the cars caught on fire in the garage and well you know where im going with this and the service rep. Said that they would be replace the defective parts but that I would have to pay. I told them no that why should I pay for something that is a safety defect from Ford and I was not going to pay for that. I explained to the service rep. That now the brake fluid was leaking out also and that if I loose my brakes what was going to happen. They just acted like it was no big deal and said that I would have to pay to get it fixed. This is as we all know a safety hazard and Ford knows about the problem and knows how fires have killed people and hurt many of them and I don't want to be a victim.
: the contact stated the vehicle was parked for about ten minutes when smoke was noticed coming from the engine compartment. The contact determined the cruise control switch melted causing minimal damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was not operating unusual prior to the fire. The cruise control switch was replaced by the dealership. There is a NHTSA recall, #05V388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The VIN was not included in the recall.
On Friday May 12th my wife had picked up the kids from school and returned home around 3:10 P.M. parking our Ford Excursion in the garage. Around 4:15 P.M. a cable tv technician pounded on the front door and indicated there was a fire in the garage. My sons opened the door between the garage and house and saw a fire coming out of the Excursion at the front drivers side tire. One of the boys ran next door and called 911 the other went to the back yard and got my wife. My wife ran into the house and opened the door to the garage and saw flames coming out of the hood of the Excursion. She shut the door and started looking for the phone, the cable tv technician yelled at my wife to get out of the house at which time she left the house and went across the street. The fire spread from the vehicle to the structure. The fire blew out the window to the garage and spread to our boat that was stored next to the house. The fire fighters were able to put the fire out just as it burnt through the door between the garage and the house.
: the contact stated the cruise control plug was burned and there was visible smoke damage to the master cylinder upon inspection by the contact. The dealership determined the cruise control switch needed to be replaced. Prior to this incident, the cruise control would only engage intermittently. There is a leak in the master cylinder making the vehicle inoperable.
- Stuart, FL, USA
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: the contact stated while changing the oil on the vehicle, the cruise control switch was identified as having melted to the master cylinder. The cruise control switch indicated signs of charring underneath the hood of the vehicle around the engine compartment. However, no fire incident was noticed or reported. Several months ago, the cruise control had failed to engage when activated. The contact replenished the brake fluid and the cruise control resumed normal working order.
On 3/24/06 while driving my Excursion the cruise control & speedometer stopped working, the check engine and ABS light came on and the overdrive indicator light started flashing. On 3/26/06 while watching tv with my wife, a local off duty firefighter stated pounding on my front door, when I opended the door I noticed my dream truck in flames in my driveway. The truck was a total loss, also have damage to my deck, the siding on my house and the wheels on my bbq grill melted.
: the contact stated after the vehicle was parked for 20 minutes it caught on fire. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire before extensive damage was done. It was evident the fire started at the cruise control deactivation switch. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V388000, regarding the cruise control. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
The contact noticed smoke coming from the brake cylinder while the vehicle was parked. After pulling the speed control deactivation switch the smoke stopped coming from the vehicle. Since the speed control deactivation switch has been unhooked the cruise control worked prior to this incident. The cruise control was difficult to engage. The dealership and the manufacturer were contacted and agreed the smoke was coming from the cruise control. The manufacturer stated they will investigate this defect further. Updated 01/11/06.
While driving to work smelled burning odor from ac vents. When stopped at work, smoke was pouring out from under the hood. Shut off ignition and raised hood. Speed sensor deactivation switch was smoldering. Reached in with rag to disconnect electrical plug to switch and plug fell off in hand (melted).
2000 Ford Excursion. The consumer stated vehicle caught on fire while in the driveway. The vehicle had been in the driveway for approximately an hour. There were no problems prior to this. The vehicle was towed to the Ford dealership; they stated they did not know what had caused it. The entire wiring harness had to be replaced. The fire department was called and they filed a report. No one was injured, and there was no other property damage. The fire was on the driver's side near the steering gear.
My cruise control malfunctioned and about 3 months later a fire broke out while parked for 5 minutes. My wife smelled something coming from SUV and saw smoke start to come from driver side of engine compartment, immediately after she saw the glow on street from fire break out (9:00pm). Fire dept was unable to open hood because of cable damage due to fire. The fire dept said it was some type of electrical failure. I now know that the cruise control switch mounted on brake master cylinder caused a fire to start. I previously noticed while toping up my fluids there was moisture around the pressure switch and it was brake fluid. I hope Ford is held responsible and repairs my vehicle, and every one else who is going through this rolling fire hazard.
The consumer states that the cruise control on his vehicle caused the vehicle to catch fire. This occurred on June 28, 2005. The vehicle had been parked in the driveway for approximately two hours. The consumer was mowing his lawn and noticed the smoke coming from the engine and was able to put it out. He then drove it to the Ford dealership and was told it was because of the cruise control. The dealership told him to call the manufacturer and they told him there is not a recall and there is nothing they can do. Just the cruise control was damaged. The fire department did not respond.
After parking the vehicle for 20 minutes, then, while walking to the vehicle, the consumer smelled smoke coming from under the hood. The hood would not open. The fire department responded, and the fire was put out. There was minimal damage. The cruise control module was the cause of the fire. Per the invoice, the wiring going to the cruise control de-activation switch caught fire. The deactivation switch and harness was replaced.
NHTSA recall campaign 05V017000 concerning cruise control switch. Vehicle was parked for approximately 6 hours in the consumer's driveway. Consumer was in his garage with the door up when he nets recall campaign heard a loud noise, and the fire came from the vehicle. He tried to put out the flames, however was unable to so. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire, however, vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle was parked in the garage which was attached to the home, and without warning the vehicle burned. It was a total loss. Also, it burned the house down to the ground. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- South Sioux City, NE, USA