Home > Lawsuits > Ford Motor Co. Cruise Control Fire
Ford Motors and Vehicle Fires
June 16 2005
Ford has recalled more than 3.8 million trucks and SUVs after thousands of fires have been allegedly caused by a defective cruise control switch. The fires have occurred in vehicles from 1994 until 2002. Consumers have relayed horror stories of their truck engulfed in flames while sitting in the driveway.
Ford Expedition SUVs (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
Lincoln Navigator SUVs (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
Ford Bronco SUVs with factory installed cruise control (1994, 1995, 1996)
The $20 cruise control deactivation switch shuts off the cruise control when the driver firmly steps on the brakes. It is located under the hood of the vehicle and is attached to the brake master cylinder. The Ford Motor automobile company designed the switch to be powered or "hot" at all times, even when the vehicle is off and the key is removed from the ignition. Inside the switch, a thin film barrier separates brake fluid from the switch's electrical components. Investigators say fires can occur when the film cracks and brake fluid from the master cylinder seeps into the electrical side of the switch.
Ford Fires In the News
A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against Ford claiming certain vehicles are defective and unsafe. The lawsuit claims the speed control deactivation switch can cause fires because it is located in a circuit that is always energized with electricity even when the vehicle is off and in the parked position and the circuitry for the switch does not contain a fused wiring harness that will interrupt the power to the switch if it starts to overheat. (Feb-06-07)
[MADISON RECORD: FORD FEDERAL LAWSUIT]
Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Ford Motor Co. as they recalled 3.8 million vehicles due to a faulty engine switch. Consumers and car owners are filing property-damage lawsuits against Ford in cases where their vehicles and homes burned to the ground due to a small defect. (Sep-08-05)
[DETROIT NEWS]
Ford has already recalled more than 1 million vehicles in two separate recalls to replace the cruise control switch. A Ford document obtained by CNN shows the same or similar switch was installed in a total of 16 million vehicles. (Jun-27-05)
[CNN NEWS]
Register your Ford Fire Case
If you or a loved one has suffered as result of a Ford fire, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please fill in our form on the right to submit your complaint.
Mine is a 2002 4 x 4 F1 50 always been a great truck had it since new. Went to work yesterday morning parked it at 9 o’clock in the morning and it was in golfed in flames by 230 in the afternoon. Right in the driveway. My whole families had Ford Trucks never had a problem like this. Totally unbelievable
Posted by Henry Williams
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On Feb. 11th 2017 our 2000 Expedition caught fire after sitting in driveway 10 hours not running. Exploded catching our home on fire. Our renters insurance and also our vehicle.insurance will not cover damage due to.loop holes in our policy.
Posted by Tina Porter
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My son and his girlfriend died in Ford Ranger struck by a F150 both fire in cab
Posted by Tracy Walker
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My 1997 f150 just burn in my front yard after I took my girls to school at 735 got home 750 ..at around930 I hehard a horn blowing thought it was the mail lady but it wasn't it was my truck and it was on fire very close to my home like 10ft
Posted by Michael Brown
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My 2001 Ford F150 caught fire in the driveway, caught the house on fire, currently in a hotel with my family awaiting the adjuster. We thought it was an electrical fire since in started in the garage at the fuse box which was located next to the garage door. On the other side of that garage door was the F150. Ignition was off and vehicle parked for about 40 minutes. Fire investigations turn up the cruise control to be the cause. The home must now be rebuilt
Posted by Mary Kauffman
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My 1997 ford expedition just caught on fire under the hood sitting in the driveway tonight. It burnt a hole in the hood, burnt up the whole engine bay, an cracked the windshield.
Posted by North Carolina
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I was at work when a co-worker came in and told me my 2000 Ford Expedition was on fire. I had been at work for two and a half hour. I filed a claim with Ford and I was denied.
Posted by Sam
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My 2001 F250 burst into flames at 5am after being off for over 13 hours. The fire completely destroyed my truck and two other vehicles parked beside it. I run a business using my truck and am now without transportation and work! The investigation is still not complete. But he said this may have been the cause of it. I know what manufacturer I'm staying away from for the rest of my life!
Posted by California
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Truck caught on fire and ignition was not even turned on. This in turn caught my HOUSE ON FIRE. I lost mostly all contents of my house (which my adjuster has taken care of this). I am miserable as it has been 4 months and nothing has been done, and my insurance company did NOT cover my truck losses.
Posted by New Jersey
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My husband's pickup truck was totalled due to a fire that started under the hood, while it was parked. It burned a hole right through the hood, smashed the windshield, and burst the driver side tire before the blaze was put out. This was our only working vehicle, and his only means of making the hour drive to work. He only purchased the truck a few years ago (used), and still owes at least $2000 just to pay it off! We had never even heard about the cruise control recall until now, when a friend mentioned it in response to our ordeal.
Posted by Texas
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I lost my only mode of transportation because I only had liability coverage. My house suffered smoke damage and my wife was traumatized by the event.
Posted by Alberta
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2000 Ford F150 Lariat caught fire in our driveway and the fire department said it was because of the cruise control. The truck is a total loss and there is minor damage to the front of my garage.
Posted by Texas
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My vehicle is destroyed. We have fire damage to our home and driveway. My children are traumatized.
Posted by California
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I cannot use my truck due to how burned it is and i relied on it to go to and from work.
Posted by Virginia
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My 1991 Nissan 300ZX, a rare and modified performance car, was destroyed in a fire last week while parked inside London Bridge Auto next to a Ford Expedition. The fire department and the shop's insurance company fire investigator determined that the cause of the fire was inside the Expedition's engine bay. The fire started at night, while the Expedition was off; the car had just been pulled into the shop that afternoon and had not been worked on.
Posted by Louisiana
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Walked outside at work to find truck burning. Before fire department could put it out it was totalled. Fire first noticed coming from under front fender on the drivers side, believed to be from steering colume. State Farm insurance is investigating the fire but has yet to pay it off. Now I am without a truck and I have a small vending business on the side that I have to use a truck for.
Posted by Alabama
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Damages include Chev. pickup and Yukon Denali which were next to the Ford 150, a basketball goal, and the entire end of our house which is the garage area is melted siding. We just received a call from our local Ford Service dept. last week to bring the truck in for recall. Unreal.
Posted by Pennsylvania
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My truck was very important to me. I only owed 2 more years on it, and I would have had paid it off. However, I had to buy a new truck and start all over again. I was never aware of any Ford truck fires and was never notified that it might happen in the 2004 version of the F150. I now have to start all over again with a new truck. I am a disabled Vet and the F150 suited me and my disability just fine. But I would never own an F150 again because I believe it is a fire hazard. Also my hedges were burned and died in the front of my house.
Posted by North Carolina
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We lost our home and all our belongings. We also had a home based roofing company. We went from living in a nice 4 bedroom home to a 1 bedroom home with 3 children.
An analysis of the cruise control switch was made and said to be the cause of the fire.
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