# 1997 FORD WINDSTAR — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `790771` · 2010-06-01 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** WINDSTAR
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 135,000
- **Speed:** 5 mph
## Narrative
I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING ON IN THE VAN AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, TURNED IT TO THE 'MAX AC' POSITION.  THE HOOD STARTED STEAMING SO I TURNED THE AIR COMPLETELY OFF.  AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE, I NOTICED THE HOOD WAS SMOKING SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY.  I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND EXITED THE VAN AND SAW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD WAS ON FIRE.  I RAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND OPENED THE SLIDING DOOR, AND GOT MY 18 MONTH OLD AND 4 YEAR  OLD OUT OF THE VEHICLE.  AFTER WE WERE ALL A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY I SAW THAT MOST OF THE HOOD OF THE VAN WAS IN FLAMES.  BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS ON FIRE WITH A LOT OF BLACK SMOKE.  THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LOOKS CHARRED AND PARTIALLY MELTED.  THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND REPAIR.  I'M THANKFUL MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY (FAILURE) OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*