# 1997 FORD F-150 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `517964` · 2005-01-23 · 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:** F-150
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 90,000
## Narrative
I HAVE AN 1997 F150 FORD TRUCK. IT WAS PARKED AT 5:30  BETWEEN 9:30-10:00PM IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO REASON. IN THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED IT WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRES THE HOT SPOT BEING IN THE STEERING COLUMN.  PARKED AT 5:45.  AT 10:00 PM HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE THUNDER.  NEIGHBOR CALLED AND INFORMED OF TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.  THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  THE TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BURNED AND EXPLODED.  THE FIRE SEEMED TO BE MORE INTENSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.  THE FIRE DAMAGED THE CAR PORT.  HAVE PHOTOS AND WILL E-MAIL TO BRUCE YORK.  PRIOR TO THE FIRE A FUSE HAD BEEN CHANGED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK.  THE VEHICLE HAD CRUISE CONTROL BUT DO NOT KNOW IF IT WORKED THE MONTH BEFORE FIRE BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN USED.  VEHICLE WAS INSURED BY STATE FARM.  CLAIM #53E484047.  CLAIM REP KELLY JACOBS.  *JB
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*