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1.6 Million Ford Windstars Investigated for Fire Hazard

Complaints charge minivan burns without warning

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 24, 2008

As many as 1,643,432 Windstars were produced by Ford between 1995 and 2003 and are covered by the investigation described as an engineering analysis, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site.

The Ford Windstars currently under investigation at NHTSA are not included in the massive Ford recall of vehicles in danger of catching fire because of a faulty cruise control switch.

The cruise control system in the Windstar, however, is a major focus of this new investigation at NHTSA.

The agency reported receiving 134 consumer complaints of engine compartment fires in the Windstar. The agency also reported that Ford has received 285 complaints of engine compartment fires in the Windstar. The automaker has also responded to 137 warranty claims after engine compartment fires in the minivan, according to the NHTSA Web site.

NHTSA reported that two Windstar owners alleged vehicles fires spread to their homes causing structural damage.

According to the NHTSA Web site, 36 consumers claimed the Windstar fire occurred while the vehicle was parked. Another 72 consumers said the fire started while their Ford Windstar was running.

"Further review of the complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (SCDS) caused the fire and 10 allege that the SCDS leaded brake fluid on the ABS module resulting in the fire," according to the NHTSA Web site.

Another 89 Windstar owners reported to the safety agency that the SCDS "resulted in brake fluid" leading onto the anti-lock braking system module.

One Ford Windstar owner in Rosewood Heights, Illinois reported to ConsumerAffairs.Com that her 1996 minivan caught fire and is a total loss. "It was parked in my driveway beside my house. I was not home at the time of the fire and I had driven the vehicle earlier. When I returned home later in the afternoon all of the windows were black," she said.

"The damage was mainly at the front of the vehicle. Needless to say, I was in shock and disbelief. We are unsure at what happened to cause the fire. The insurance had me sign papers to have the salvage yard haul it away a couple days later," the Illinois woman said.

Ford has already recalled 12 million vehicles because of the fire hazard association with the speed control system in the vehicles.

NHTSA recently warned that 5 million Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles could pose a serious fire hazard to vehicles and dwellings.

The agency has twice issued a consumer advisory urging owners of recalled Ford, Lincoln and Mercury SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and passenger cars to take their vehicles to a local dealership for a "corrective repair."

The agency urgently reported that the recalled vehicles contain a defective cruise control switch that could lead to "a fire at any time, even while the vehicle is turned-off, parked and unattended."

The Ford Windstar will be subjected to an "Engineering Analysis" as the safety agency, "to further evaluate the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect."

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