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1997 FORD EXPLORER — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

fire · 848880 · 2011-03-27

Vehicle

Make
FORD
Model
EXPLORER
Year
1997
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Miles at failure
158,143
Speed
30 mph

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
0
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
No
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

ABOUT A MILE FROM AN INTERSECTION I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT MY BRAKE PEDAL HAD LOST PRESSURE AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FROM THE OLD PICKUP TRUCK NEXT TO ME. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE VEHICLE "SPUTTERED" SUFFERING A LOSS OF HORSE POWER BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ABOUT 150 YARDS AND COASTED INTO A GAS STATION WHERE I PARKED AT THE FAR END AWAY FROM THE PUMPS. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED MORE SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD SO I WENT INSIDE TO ASK FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT THE CASHIER SAID HE HAD NONE. I THEN ASKED TO HIM DIAL 911 BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I WENT BACK TO MY VEHICLE AND REMOVED SOME PAPERWORK FROM THE SEAT AND WAITED FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY COVERT FORD ON MARCH 16, 2011 FOR THE FACTORY RECALL OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, (BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH) WHICH IS WHAT I BELIEVE CAUSE THE FIRE. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN I HAD TO PUMP MY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE OFFICIALS AT THE SCENE THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE POINT OF ORIGIN OF THE FIRE BUT THE DAMAGED AREA IS RIGHT BELOW THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. (I HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO). THANK GOD THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR LIVES. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE SO I SIGNED THE TITLE

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
10393408
Machine
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