Noticed my headlight on passengers side was out and a couple of nights later I arrived home and after parking the car in my garage I noticed some white smoke coming from under the hood. The car had not been over heating and recently had an oil change. In a matter of minutes my car and garage were on fire. My 2 small children were in the house and and we all rushed to my neighbors for help. Luckily the fire department came in time to save the rest of my home. The damage was horrible. My children and are are safe but FORD should pay for this. I am waiting for the attorney to get back with us on this.

passenger side headlight socket burned. I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE SOCKET FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT MELTED. DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXCESS MOISTURE,. ALSO THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT IS WORN, ADNI FEEL THAT THESE ARE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS. THE MILEAGE WHEN NOTICED WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72K. RESEARCHING OTHER ISSUES WIT THIS CAR, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PLAGUED WITH AN INHERENT ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT FORD HAS SO FAR FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGED. LOSS OF A VEHICLE DUE TO FIRE DOESN'T SEEM TO PHASE THE FINE FOLKS AT FORD, BUT THAT TUNE MAY CHANGE IF THERE IS AN INJURY, OR FATALITY DUE TO AN OBVIOUSLY KNOWN DEFECT. I THINK FORD SHOULD COME TO TO TERMS WITH THIS DEFECT BEFORE THERE IS AN INJURY OR DEATH.

My wife told me on on a Friday night that the passenger side headlight was off, I came out and looked at it and told her I would have it replaced on Saturday at the shop, but go ahead and drive it with 1 headlight. She went around the block and came back screaming that the car was on fire, the shorted headlight & wiring behind were on fire, I immediately extinguished the flames and disconnected the battery. Presently I am having it towed into an Electrical shop and filing a claim or lawsuit with Ford. This should have NEVER happened, that is why there is a fuse box. People be warned !! When a headlight goes out, DO NOT DRIVE the car until lamp is replaced.

My wife told me that the passenger side headlight went out, I said no problem I'll have it replaced in the morning, so she drove the car with one headlight, she only went around the block and came back screaming the car is on fire, and it was burning right behind the headlight that went out, I extinguished the flames and disconnect the battery. Presently the car has been towed to the shop for repair estimate and possible lawsuit against FORD. People be warned, if your headlight goes out, DO NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL YOU HAVE IT REPLACED.

Update from Jun 9, 2009: As it turns out the car I just purchased had an "Unreported accident" unknown to DMV or CARFAX, sub-standard repair caused the FIRE. I have already contacted Ford and NHTSB with the correct findings, this probem / complaint should be removed since the quality / safety of the car is NOT in question.