Consumer had a 1998 Ford Explorer. It caught on fire under the hood. The only damage was to the cruise control sensor, and to the brake reservoir. A bystander saw the fire and was able to extinguish the fire. The local dealership said they had never seen this problem before. Consumer had contacted Ford, and was told because it was used and out of warranty that there was nothing they could do. The car was parked at approximately 7:30am, and the fire started at approximately 11:45am. Consumer statesdthat they have only used the cruise control approximately three times since owning vehicle.

- South Pasedena, CA, USA

Contact states while vehicle was parked it started smoking from underneath the hood. Upon inspection it was noticed that the cruise control switch was burned up. This vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN.

- Adairsville, GA, USA

1998 Ford Explorer, one afternoon while at work her vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was turned off and had sitting for hours. There were lots and lots of smoke. The fire dept. Put out the fire and the engine and spread to the dash area. The vehicle was totaled out. The recall letters had not gone out yet, and the day after the fire, the recall was extended to her vehicle year. The dealer told the consumer that is was obvious that the started from the cruise control mechanism. Have been in touch with the local dealership and the Ford manufacturer and Ford keeps putting her off. Because they keep saying that they will call her back in two days, so far it's been 3 weeks and no call from Ford. The were no sign of any problems before this incident.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

Vehicle was parked for about 15 minutes when all of a sudden it caught fire on its own. Results showed that there was an electrical short with the cruise control switch.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

Vehicle was parked for an hour or more when it caught fire under the hood on the driver side. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was not determined at this time. The manufacturer was notified.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

1998 Ford Explorer caught on fire while parked. The vehicle fire caused damage to another vehicle as well as the consumer's home.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

After vehicle was parked for four hours a fire started under the hood. The fire was put out. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

While vehicle was parked for 2 hours, a fire started in the engine. The vehicle was totaled. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Six to nine months prior to fire the cruise control stopped working. The insurance fire investigator determined the fire started in the cruise control.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

Consumer received recall 00V422000 notice concerning vehicle speed control. While cruise control is engaged at any speed and the brakes are depress vehicle will surge forward. The only way this problem won't occur is if the consumer puts the gear in neutral. This problem happened three times in the last eighteen months.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

Cruise control failed while activated on 4 lane highway in Washington D.C. traffic. Then realized the horn had failed as well days later. The Ford dealer seems awful aware of the problem, and the need to replace a "clock spring" in the steering column.

- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

Consumer states that the electronic module attached to the cruise control assembly is defective. This causes the cruise control to engage at very low speeds when brakes are applied.

- Minot, ND, USA

Problem with idle. Caused vehicle to stall 3 times in heavy traffic. Potential for accident.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

When gas pedal is applied it sticks unless extreme pressure is applied. Vehicle will not move. Afterwards, vehicle will accelerate faster then intended. Also, having idle control valve sticking which causes vehicle not to start.

- Wytheville, VA, USA