: the contact stated while parked in a driveway, the vehicle was started up, and smoke was noticed coming from under the hood. The vehicle was shut off, the hood was opened, and the contact noticed the wires located below the master cylinder had melted. There were no lights illuminated on the instrument panel and no warnings prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who determined that the vehicle should have been part of a recall. There were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact planned to contact the manufacturer after filing a complaint with the NHTSA.

- Crosby, TX, USA

: the contact stated after exiting the driveway, smoke was observed coming from under the hood. Upon further inspection, under the hood a fire was also observed and extinguished. The vehicle as then parked and has not been inspected by a mechanic.

- Victoria, TX, USA

I discovered burnt wiring near the master cylinder on my 1996 Ford Windstar. I took the van to the local Ford dealer, paradise Ford in cocoa Florida, they told me that the sensor/switch, that is attached to the bottom of the master cylinder, had malfuntioned and shorted out causing the wire and connector to burn until the wire was no longer connected to the sensor/switch.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

Fire on the speed control switch, which is connected to the master break cylender while driving. I managed to put the fire off before it spread. The fire destroyd the speed control switch and the wires connected to it.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Consumer owned a 1996 Ford Windstar. After parking the vehicle consumer smelled burning, and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The engine compartment was completely destroyed. Consumer called Ford, and they declined to inspect the vehicle. Ford sent a letter stating they did not have any responsibility in the matter. The vehicle was inspected by the cambria, California fire chief. The fire report has not been received yet. The insurance company did not inspect the vehicle. This occurred on July 12, 2005. There was no injuries.

- Saint Cloud, MN, USA

While driving, a sudden engine fire occurred in a 1996 Windstar. The Ford dealer (sound Ford, renton wa) states that the fire originated in the cruise control cutout switch. It is clear from the burn pattern that this was indeed the cause. The single occupant was able to exit the vehicle, and the fire was extinguished using a dry chemical fire extinguisher from a local merchant (westmarine, seattle, wa). The Ford dealer has been unable so far to repair the vehicle (it's been over three weeks).

- Kent, WA, USA

Vehicle caught on fire while stopping at a stop sign. Consumer smelled rubber burning, then smoke started coming from under the hood. Speed control linkages were completely burned. A recall was issued for speed control linkages, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

While driving driver smelled burning wires. Shortly afterwards vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Owner contacted the fire department and they put out the flames. Vehicle was totaled.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Consumer had just parked and exited vehicle when it caught on fire under the hood without warning.

- Thornton, PA, USA

Interior light came on and off intermittently, and without prior warning smoke was coming from hood area.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

Check engine light came on and smoke started to come out from under the dashboard. We pulled over immediately and had to step over the flames comming out from underneath the vehicle to get out of the car. Within 1 minute, the van was completely engulfed in flames at which point the gas tank exploded. The van is completely burnt down to nothing but a frame. Ford refuses to take responsibility.

- Naugatuck, CT, USA