# 2002 FORD EXPLORER — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
> NHTSA complaint `920635` · 2012-05-30 · 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:** EXPLORER
- **Year:** 2002
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- **Miles at failure:** 125,000
- **Speed:** 75 mph
## Narrative
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOOKED BACK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF MY CAR.  I PULLED OVER.  MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT.  I SMELLED FIRE AND HE SAID IT'S ON FIRE.   MY HUSBAND SAW A LIQUID DRIPPING FROM THE CAR THAT WAS CLEARLY ON FIRE.  I TURNED THE CAR OFF.  WE IMMEDIATELY GOT OURSELVES AND OUR 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES 7 AND 5, OUT OF THE CAR.  THE FIRE STOPPED ONCE THE CAR WAS OFF.  FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED.  I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR AND THE MECHANIC THAT FIXED THE CAR THAT A TRANSMISSION HOSE WAS SITTING ON THE EXHAUST PIPE, CAUSING A LEAK IN THE HOSE AND THE RESULTING FIRE.  I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY BE SUBJECTED TO A RECALL REGARDING A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL AFTER READING ON THE INTERNET.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*