# 1989 FORD AEROSTAR — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
> NHTSA complaint `44878` · 1996-05-24 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** AEROSTAR
- **Year:** 1989
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
## Narrative
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.  *AK  WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE SMOKE POURED FROM THE IGNITION, CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND GOT OUT, THE SMOKE STOPPED, CONSUMER DROVE HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE, FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER THE HORN BEGAN TO BLARE, THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMESON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE GUAGES WERE DESTROYED, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, FORD IS CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE CONSUMER  SOLD THE VAN FOR $900.00.*JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*