My family and I were exiting the New York state thruway at exit 25A on wed 8/8 at approximately 8:30pm. Sparks were noticeable on the passenger side of our 2001 Ford Windstar. The sparks were coming from under the left side of the hood. As we went through the toll booth and onto the exit ramp to route 7, smoke began coming in the air vents. At that time I pulled to the shoulder of the ramp and looked in the rear of the car for a fire extinguisher. Unfortunately I did not have one in the car. I then went to assist my wife with getting our 5 year old son out of the back seat. At that time I noticed flames coming from under the hood on the left side. We exited the vehicle and another person assisted me with getting various belongings out. We then waited for help to arrive. The car was totally destroyed by the fire. The insurance company took care of what they considered the value (this value was lower than the nada value). I protested this but was told they could not consider nada due to its accessibility online. Their value resulted in my having to pay $1000 to fulfill my loan obligation and release the lien to the insurance company. I then contacted Ford and reported the incident to which their reply was the insurance company could pursue restitution but not myself. Why is it that I am the one that suffers this great loss? we have spent $2000 to satisfy this loan and put a down payment on a new car. This clearly is the responsibility of Ford. Cars do not just catch on fire for no reason. There are many recalls on Ford products. Lawyers have not responded to my messages regarding this matter because no one was injured. I am only seeking for Ford to take responsibility for this or the insurance company to pay the proper value of my vehicle.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

- the contact called regarding the 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated when he started the vehicle the contact began to smell wires burning. The contact stated that he saw smoke coming out from under the driver's front seat and exited the vehicle. The engine was located under the driver's front seat. The failure mileage was 138,000. The fire went out by itself. The contact did not take the vehicle to dealer for repairs. The vehicle was drivable. There were no warning indicators. The failure and current mileages were 138000.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

: the contact stated while driving 35mph on a street in rainy weather, the brake warning light illuminated. A bystander alerted the contact that the rear brake lights were inoperative. Upon initial inspection the contact determined the rear brake wiring harness was wet and corroded from rainwater and it needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were alerted.

- Portland, OR, USA

: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in an idle position, smoke began coming out from under the hood. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. Upon inspection, the cruise control deactivation switch and the brake master cylinder were observed to be completely burnt. The service dealer was contacted, and determined that the fire began in the deactivation switch. The dealer refused to offer a new cruise control deactivation switch and wiring for the electrical system. The manufacturer alerted the contact that replacement parts that were available were defective.

- Houston, TX, USA