In spring of 2004 the owner of a 2000 Ford Expedition VIN. No. [xxx]. upon opening the hood of the vehicle, the components surrounding the cruise control component and several other components including the ABS module were so hot that the driver of the vehicle received minor burns disconnecting the ruptured part of the ABS system. The vehicle had been idle and turned off for approximately one (1) hour when the event occurred. Upon the vehicle being started the next day, the horn would not work, the ABS system light was illuminated and the cruise control would not engage. In April 2004, the cruise control switch was replaced. In late may, the cruise control switch was still inoperative after replacement. On June 14,2005 the complaints called Ford with the additional information that the vehicle was continuing to short out in various ways including placing the vehicle in the drive position and a new problem of the radio system would malfunction. When placed back in park, the radio was re-activate. Vehicle was examined by parker Ford and they advised the horn circuit had been overloaded and a fuse blown in the horn module. They also advised the ABS module and pump were in need of replacement. The complainant believes this vehicle represents a continuing fire hazard and that the damaged component failures, all of which occurred at the same time were directly related to the defective cruise control switch. Complainant believes that additional vehicles may be at risk due to similar overloads on the electrical systems. Vehicle has never been wrecked, submerged in water or altered in anyway from the original factory design.complainant has 24 years prior law enforcement experience. Vehicle history is also well known to current Kentucky state trooper. Request NHTSA in depth review of potential for continuing problems and collateral failures of other components associated with speed control switch. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Kirksey , KY, USA

Water (rain) running into electrical system and shorting out components. I have had to replace all coil packs and still counting. Contacted Ford too many times.

- Merrillville, IN, USA

Consumer said that in June dealer replaced the instrument cluster. Consumer tried to start vehicle this morning and vehicle would not crank. Currently, dealer had vehicle and they were replacing GM module. Consumer was concerned because all of the problems were electrical. The consumer paid for repairs but the dealer hasn't informed the consumer as to why vehicle is having electrical problems. Consumer always took vehicle to dealer for repairs and service. Consumer was aware of an article in the Consumer Affairs magazine dealing with electrical problems with the make, model, and year of his vehicle.

- Decatur, GA, USA

4 X 4 warning light on dash board began flashing. All wheel drive failed. The Ford dealer replaced the GEM module and 4 X 4 sensor. I called other Ford dealer's to double check the findings of the dealer I was working with. One serviceman commented that the only way the GEM module can go out is to get it wet. This is difficult to do since it is inside the dash board. I now see there are complaints about leaky windshields in Expedition. I am concerned about what safety issues may result when the GEM module fails, and what else might fail if there is a leaky windshield. In my case, the all wheel drive failed. The old part has been discarded.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

Contact states whenever it was raining the windshield wipers would not work, only after the vehicle was stopped. Also, there were electrical issues; the doors would unlock while driving, and radio went on and off. While driving the contact noticed while it was raining the windshield would leak. The windshield and part of the electrical system were replaced.

- Boyertown, PA, USA

6-12 months ago, 2000 Ford Expedition started having erratic electrical behavior. Windshield wipers quit working during rainstorm while away on vacation. Was very hazardous to have happen while driving down highway during a downpour! radio would go on and off while shifting the automatic transmission. Took to dealer (still under warranty at this time), they "tightened up some things", problem went away, until next rain storm! due to needing the vehicle, I could not get it back to dealer before factory warranty expired. I thought it would be ok though, because I had purchased a "premium" extended warranty. Took to dealer a second time, now truck tries to start itself with no key in ignition, wipers again fail while driving during rainstorm, heater blower motor remains running after exiting vehicle. This drains the battery if left overnight, and results in an inoperable vehicle. Truck four wheel drive indicators flash on and off at times while driving. Not a good feeling when traveling 70 mph on the freeway. After inspection, dealer informs me that water has intruded into the dash components due to a leaking windshield. They state the extended warranty wont cover it because they dont cover "water intrusions". GEM module, fusebox need replaced, windshield resealed to fix problem. Quote of about $1000 I declined repairs at the time. Went home and researched the problem. Seems many, many people have had the same problem. I called Ford and after many phone calls, they declined to do anything about it. I am very disappointed with Ford. Have always bought their products because I believed they stood behind their reliability and workmanship. Here is a factory installed windshield that started leaking before their 3/36 warranty expired, their dealer "band-aided" the problem instead of fixing the cause of the problem while still under warranty. Now I have an inoperable vehicle in my driveway that frankly, seems to be a major safety risk to put my family of six in.

- Marion, MT, USA

After my truck sat in a downpour, I got into it to run an errand. The radio completly shut off when the vehicle was in drive or reverse. When put into park it came right back on. The next rain we had, a few weeks later, I was driving and different instument lights began to come on. 4X4, windshield wiper fluid, etc. Lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not in 4X4 at this time and the windshield washer fluid was 3/4 of the way full. A few days later while driving in the rain again my wipers completly quit working. Every 10 seconds or so they would kick on again for about 3 seconds and then stop again. This was an absolutly terrifying situation. I was driving in the pouring down rain on an incredibly busy street and my wipers quit. After the first couple of incidents my husband and I narrowed it down to having something to do with rain water. I asked a Ford tech about this over the phone and was treated like I had absolutly no idea what I was talking about. I finally took it into a different Ford dealership and was told that in fact the seal around the windshield was leaking, allowing water in to short out the electronics. I am very dissatisfied with having to pay for these repairs when the vehicle was not very old an in great condition.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Expedition. The vehicle burned up while it was sitting outside of the consumer's house. The fire started around the engine and it engulfed the rest of the vehicle in flames.

- Marianna, FL, USA

Vehicle parked approx 15-20 mins, steam coming from hood, then thick smoke, flames under hood drivers side by windshield

- Edgewater, MD, USA

After having the vehicle parked for thirty minutes it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause had not been determined at this time.

- Clute, TX, USA

While parked in the driveway vehicle caught on fire. The fire department stated it seemed to have been an electrical malfunction. As a result, the vehicle was a total loss.

- Clute, TX, USA

Parked vehicle at about 8:30 am about half hour later the vehicle caught on fire. The fire was coming from engine compartment on driver's side near the front wheel. Vehicle had the cruise control deactivation switch disconnected per Ford instruction. No problems with the vehicle prior to the fire. Cruise control worked prior to being disconnected. Engine had been replaced at a Ford dealer about 14 months ago. The new motor has about 33,000 miles on it. Pictures will be E-mailed to bruce york. No after market equipment. Vehicle was insured by a affordable insurance, michael, 800-877-0226, extension 2179, policy #txb75747800.

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

(1) air bag light stays on after vehicle started. (2) dealer stated air bag would not deploy in accident unless sensor replaced. (3) sensor has been replaced once and wiring harness has been replaced once. (1) instrument cluster odometer flickered then failed. (3) instrument cluster replaced. (1) engine knock (2) 5.4 engine failed at 32,000 miles. (3) engine replaced under warranty. (1) transmission slipping at 55,000 miles. (2) transmission slipping. (3) transmission replaced. (1) transmission began slipping again at 76,000 miles. (2) high RPM before shifting into next gear. (3) body assembly replaced under extended warranty.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

The spark plug went out while the consumer was driving. Consumer replaced the spark plug, drove to the dealer, who stated the head was blown and replaced it. Currently, the engine blew out. Consumer stated the spark plug left the engine again.

- Anoka, MN, USA

While driving fire started in the steering column. The fire caused the air bag to deploy. Consumer was burned very badly, and had to go through surgery.

- Houston, TX, USA

While parked in the driveway vehicle caught on fire. As a result, part of the owners house and another parked vehicle were damaged by the flames. No injuries reported. Vehicle was considered a total loss.

- La Porte, TX, USA

During rain, windshield leaks into electrical system causing vehicle to malfunction. Malfunctions include, windshield wiper failure, electric window failure and radio failure. The electrical system also remains on when the key is out of the ignition causing the battery to drain. I have gone to my car with my keys in my hand and the instrument panel show that I am running 100 mph and 6,000 RPM. The blower for the A/C also continues to run after the vehicle is turned off. When the vehicle is running, it tends to "fix itself" in park and neutral, but when shifted into reverse or drive the electrical system continues to malfunction.

- Montevallo, AL, USA

While car was parked in driveway, a fire started spontaneously. I was awoken by a passerby by doorbell at 0555 in the morning. When I opened my front door my 2000 Ford Expedition was on fire. The hood was on fire and their were multiple explosions sparks flying everywhere as well as glass. The tires in front were also on fire. Their is extensive damage to the front of the vehicle as well as the interior. However, the back of the vehicle does not look bad on the outside but is completely torched on the inside. The fire was so intense that it ruined my garage door and has altered the look of the brick on the front of my house. The driveway is also damage as well as the lawn from the extensive heat. Glass was blown all over the lawn. I attempted to call Ford today with no success. Luckily because of the passerby my children were not injured and my house is still intact. I seriously believe that had the fire dept been 5 minutes later my whole house would have been engulfed in flames. My gas water heaters are located directly above the garage. Seeing that the sealant on the garage doors was completely melted as well as the metal door, it wouldn't of taken much more to ignite the gas water heaters. I want to do something to help other citizens know of this danger before their car or house is destroyed. What can I do to help?

- Mansfield, TX, USA

The consumer parked the vehicle at 11:00am, at around 11:30am the consumer saw a fire in the vehicle. The fire was coming from the engine compartment. Prior to the fire there were no problems. The vehicle had cruise control, but the consumer never used it.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

While parked a loud bang was heard, and the owner noticed that the vehicle caught on fire. Recall campaign; NHTSA campaign id number : 05V017000 recall date : Jan 27, 2005 component: Vehicle speed control:cruise control

- Houston, TX, USA