NHTSA complaint: 2000 FORD TAURUS — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 13 YEAR OLD SISTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, ON THE STREETS,ON CHRISTMAS EVE, GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING AS IF PLASTIC WAS BURNING, I TURNED INTO A SHOPPING CENTER NEARBY, BUT WITH IT BEING CHRISTMAS EVE, IT WAS SO MANY CARS INSIDE THE SMALL STRUCTURED SHOPPING CENTER THAT WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE, I WAS UNCERTAIN IF IT WAS MY CAR SMOKING OR SOMEONE NEXT TO ME. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT OPEN PARKING SPACE, THIS GUY QUICKLY RAN UP TO MY CAR AND TOLD ME TO AND MY SISTER TO GET OUT BECAUSE AS I WAS DRIVING HE SAW FIRE BALLS COMING FROM THE UNDER MY CAR. AT THIS POINT IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS MY CAR SMOKING VERY BADLY, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH IN SECONDS. WE QUICKLY JUMPED OUT LEAVING THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT DIDN'T DETERMINE A CONCRETE CAUSE BESIDES AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING NO KIND OF WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE THERMOSTAT DID NOT READ "OVERHEAT" OR ANYTHING. I HAD LIABILITY ON MY CAR. IT WAS A 2000 FORD TAURUS, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING. IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT GUY THAT RAN UP TO MY CAR AND TOLD ME AND MY SISTER TO GET OUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SEE ANY FLAMES UNTIL I CUT THE CAR OFF. *LN
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation