Pulled my 1998 Ford Ranger into a store parking lot. I was getting ready to park when I could smell something burning. Stopped the truck. Smoke was coming from under the hood. I popped the hood and saw an electrical plug burning with flames. I was able to blow the flames out before much else was damaged. I was able to drive it to a Ford dealership. They told me that the cruise control plug is what caught fire. It also damaged my reservoir for the brake fluid. They are replacing the master cylinder and the cruise control plug. Of course, this is at my own expense, not Ford.

- Summerville, SC, USA

My 1998 Ford Ranger caught fire on July 31, 2006. The truck had been parked in front of our house and the engine had been turned off. Minutes later, the vehicle unexpectedly caught fire under the hood and a watchful neighbor called the fire department. Now, the vehicle's engine is completely charred, property on the house is damaged, and the vehicle is a total loss. I have contacted my insurance company and I will have a fire inspector determine the cause of the fire. Further investigation on the internet has led me to believe the fire may have been caused by a faulty speed control switch present on many Ford vehicles. The NHTSA is currently conducting an investigation on this matter, as it has already received over 550 complaints from similar incidents. Please make a report of this complaint and contact me for further information. Thank you.

- Miami, FL, USA

Replaced fuse that had blown on cruise control on 1998 Ford Ranger. Stepped on brake to put in gear and noticed excessive smoke from under hood. Opened hood and found mechanism in front of master cylinder reservoir on fire. Small fire torched front of reservoir I put out the fire with a towel breaking the mechanism, cruise control brake disconnect.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

The consumer stated on July 10, 2003 there was a fatal roll over. The tires separated and the vehicle rolled over and blew out. According to consumer's investigation there was a problem with the fuel on the cruise control switch. This vehicle was a 1998, Ford, Ranger. The highway patrol came to the scene and issued a report. It was consumer's cousin vehicle. The tread came off from rear driver's side tire. Consumer thought the vehicle rolled over three times. There was two occupants, and both were killed in the accident. The exact mileage was not known.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

While parked the consumer's 1998 Ford Ranger caught on fire. The cruise control was used for 4 1/2 hour the day before the fire erupted. The consumer's home sustained extensive smoke and fire damage.

- Duncanville, TX, USA

A Ford representative informed the consumer of a recall regarding the speed control (possibly a manufacturer's recall), the consumer has not received a recall statement and the dealer would not perform any work.

- Bethlehem, CT, USA

A Ford representative informed the consumer of a recall regarding the speed control (possibly a manufacturer's recall), the consumer has not received a recall statement and the dealer would not perform any work.

- Bethlehem, CT, USA

Idle air control--idle operation was erratic, dealer found a bad idle air control valve.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

Vehicle continually experiencing sudden acceleration, repaired throttle valve assembly, reprogrammed computer and replaced idle air control valve. Mjs

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Engine idles between 2500-3200 when coming to a stop or slowing down.

- Upland, CA, USA

Vehicle will randomly idle at a high RPM. This will cause my vehicle to travel at approximately 20 mph at an idle speed. While driving vehicle and taking foot off of the accelerator to begin slowing, my vehicle will continue traveling at the same speed. Also, as I downshifted vehicle to slowdown in traffic, vehicle will sometimes remain or increase in speed that vehicle is currently traveling.

- Foothil Ranch, CA, USA

First, no accident has happened yet. It is an accident waiting to happen. I have a 1998 Ford Ranger with the 3.0 engine and 5 speed manual transmission. The problem, taking my foot off the gas has no effect on vehicle speed. If traffic is slowing in front of me, taking my foot off the gas is the normal thing to do in order to start slowing down and not hitting traffic in front of me. This vehicle will keep on going and brake application is required. As a further example. Coming to a red light or stop sign, the engine will want to race above 2000 until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. It takes about 4 seconds after the stop before the computer will slow the engine. I have had the vehicle to the dealer twice. Both times, they have indicated that a problem exists with this engine/transmission combination. However, their testing equipment shows no problems. They have reported it to Ford but can do nothing until Ford issues a programming change for the computer. One time last summer, at a stop sign, the engine decided to go from 2000 to 3600 RPM and the only way to stop it was to kill the engine. Ford seems unwilling to correct this problem which must be considered a safety concern. As an additional test, I got on the interstate, got up to speed, put the transmission in neutral, and took my foot off the gas. The engine speed remained constant at 2800. Even touching the brake and slowing the vehicle down a small amount, had no effect on engine speed during this test. The problem seems to not be present when the engine is cold. Once warm however, at least 50% of the time, the above conditions exist.

- Denver, CO, USA