Ford Truck Fire, Ford SUV Fire, Ford Van Fire, Ford Car Fire

Recalled SUV may be linked to fire

-TheDailyAdvertiser

08/26/2009 - Investigators are looking into whether a faulty cruise control switch could have sparked a fire that destroyed an SUV and two homes in Lafayette on Saturday.

Firefighters responded to the 300 block of Macklyn Drive after a 1999 Ford Expedition caught fire under a carport.

The fire engulfed about half of the house and spread to a neighbor's home.

Firefighters believe the fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle, but haven't been able to identify the exact part, said Lafayette Parish Fire Department spokesman Alton Trahan.

But they are looking closely at the cruise control switch, of which defects have led to the recall of millions of Ford cars, SUVs and trucks.

"Any time you have a vehicle fire that destroys so much in the engine compartment, it's difficult to make a determination," Trahan said. "But (the cruise control switch) is an area of concern."

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recalled 12 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury SUVs and pickups in 2005 because of faulty cruise control switches, which can corrode over time and catch fire.

The NHTSA has received 1,472 complaints connected to the defect, including 65 fires.

According to the NHTSA, the cruise control switch shuts off the cruise control when the driver steps on the brakes.

On most of its models, Ford designed the switch to be powered on at all times, even when the vehicle was off and the key was removed from the ignition.

Inside the switch, a thin film barrier separates brake fluid from the switch's electrical components.

Investigators say fires can break out when the film cracks and brake fluid seeps into the electrical side of the switch.

Rae Tyson, spokesman for the NHTSA, said the agency put out a second advisory for Ford owners last year because it was concerned owners were not repairing their vehicles.

Of the 12 million vehicles recalled in early 2008, nearly 5 million had not been brought in for repair as of late last year.

"A lot of recalls you might be able to ignore with minimal risk," Tyson said. "In this case, there is a lot of risk."

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said the manufacturer sent out letters to all affected owners encouraging them to bring their vehicles in for repair. He said many owners might have ignored the warning because it applied mainly to older vehicles.

The owner of the home, Leo Savoie, is currently staying at a hotel, Trahan said.

Fire investigators will turn over their findings to insurance adjusters.

Additional Facts

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges owners of the following recalled vehicles to bring them to a local dealership for repair:

1993-2004 Ford F150

1993-1999 Ford F250

1993-1996 Ford Bronco

1994-1996 Ford Econoline

1997-2002 Ford Expedition

1997-2002 Lincoln Navigator

1998-2002 Ford Ranger

1992-1998 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Towncar

1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII

1993-1995 Ford Taurus SHO with automatic transmission

1994 Mercury Capri

1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer

2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac

1992-1993 and 1997-2003 Ford E-150-350

2002 Ford E-550

1996-2003 Ford E-450

1994-2002 Ford F-250 - F-550 Super Duty trucks

2000-2002 Ford Excursion

2003 F250 - F550 Super Duty, Ford Excursion

1995-2002 Ford F53 motor home chassis

2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood

source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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