Ford Trucks Burning Up?

Ford Trucks Burning Up? PICKUPS Miscellaneous 29-1-5 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently opened up an investigation into engine fires in late model Ford F-150's pickups, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators. At least 36 fires in 2000 models have been reported to the NHTSA but consumer sites on the internet (such as www.consumeraffairs.com) have gathered many more such reports on the three vehicles, and not just involving the 2000 model year. According to the reports, the fires often occur when a vehicle is parked with the engine off. I recently had a personal experience with a burning 1999 Expedition owned by a friend of mine, Tony Groble of Stillwater, Minn. As he was driving home along a gravel road, smoke started coming out of the heat vents. When he pulled over and opened the hood, a small fire back by the passenger-side firewall took off with a "whoosh". In less than a minute, the entire pickup was engulfed with flames. He didn't have time to get anything out of the truck. No specific cause for the fire was ever identified. His insurance company paid off and he got another comparable vehicle from a local dealer. Unfortunately, it's a 2000 model, which is the primary target of the NHTSA's investigation. "I'm going to keep my eyes open," says Tony. To read more about other such vehicle fires, go to: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/ford_150_ engine_fires.html.

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