1996 Ford F-150 electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am unsure of what happened. This truck was sitting in my driveway and caught fire. While on fire it kept trying to start even though no one was in it and the keys were no where near it. The fire truck was called out due to the trucks proximity to the home and the fire was put out. There has not been any insoection done on the vehicle since it is burnt to a crisp.

NHTSA complaint #11540910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY HIS MOTHER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS, FUSE BOX, AND RELAY BOX WERE BURNED, AND THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10968179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10732663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABOUT THREE MINUTES AFTER I PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE TRUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, STEPPED OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ACCOMPANIED BY BILLOWING SMOKE. THE FIRE LASTED 15-20 MINUTES, WENT THROUGH THE FIREWALL, ENTERED AND MELTED DOWN THE CAB. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE IN ORDER TO PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING TO THE GARAGE AND THE PROPANE TANK. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO BE TREATED FOR MODERATE SMOKE INHALATION BY THE FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE SCENE. THE TRUCK WAS PART OF THE 2005 RECALL CONCERNING THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND ITS CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. I BROUGHT THIS TRUCK TO COPPER COUNTRY FORD IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL NOTICE, WHICH, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS PERFORMED.

NHTSA complaint #10554168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE HAD TO DO WITH SOMETHING ELECTRICAL UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CONTACTS VEHICLE, BUT CONTACT STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #10181033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1998 F-150 SITTING IN YARD - FIRE STARTED IN FRONT OF TRUCK - JUST PURCHASED IN OCT. 05. NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ON RECALL .

NHTSA complaint #10149246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE SCDS ON 10-06-05. THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING TO MAINE. ON 10-13-05 THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SCDS DISCONNECTED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER TOOK PICTURES OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONSUMER LIVED IN A RURAL AREA IN WHICH HE PUT OUT THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE TO BE CALLED. T HE POLICE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONSUMER REPORTED SOMETHING SMELLED LIKE PLASTIC BURNING FOR THE PAST MONTH AND HALF PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC IN WEST VIRGINIA, HIS PREVIOUS RESIDENCE, AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE ORIGIN OF THE SMELL. THE CONSUMER REPORTED NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FIRE AND THEY HAD NOT CALLED THE CONSUMER BACK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD AT A TOLL FREE NUMBER AND THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT CONSUMER AFFAIRS WOULD BE CONTACTING HIM WITHIN SEVEN TO TEN DAYS. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT HEARD FROM FORD. *AK (11/17/05) RECALL CAMPAIGN # EA05005.

NHTSA complaint #10139568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HAVE A 1996 FORD F-150 W/CRUISE CONTROL. IT WAS PARKED IN THE YARD AND STARTED ON FIRE. VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS OUT OF STATE AT THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10136515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON AUG. 30TH AT 9:00 A.M. MY 1996 F150 TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS NOT IN THE TRUCK I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR TWO HRS. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND SELF IGNITED, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. IT WAS A REALLY HOT FIRE I HAD TO CALL OUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10135041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD F150 XLT. A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED COMING UP THROUGH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND SAID IT HAD BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS, AND WAS STARTING IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA05005. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10132141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AT ABOUT 4 A.M. ON JULY 16, 2005; MY 1996 FORD F150 STARTED TO BURN AFTER HAVING BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE CHIEF INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS AWARE OF THE CRUISE SWITCH RECALL ON THE 2000-2001 FORD TRUCKS, BUT DID NOT REALIZE THAT MY TRUCK COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THIS BECAUSE IT HAD THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10129432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2ND INCIDENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, HORN NOT WORKING CRUISE CONTROL MODUEL NOT WORKING, STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE. REMOVEED SHORTED POWER FEED TO CRUISE CONTROL. 1ST INCIDENT-ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. SHIFTER WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. NEEDED TO TOW VEHICLE, AND REPAIR BLOWN FUSE ON CRUISE CONTROL

NHTSA complaint #10127421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2004, THE 1996 FORD F150 WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE TULSA FIRE DEPARMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY REPORTED IT APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL AND UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA complaint #10126114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE I WAS CHECKING THE OIL IN MY TRUCK THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH BURST INTO FLAMES. I NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SO I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT UNTIL I NOTICED THERE WERE SOME RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT FOR MY MODEL YEAR. LUCKILY I HAD THE HOOD UP LOOKING AT SOMETHING ELSE WHEN IT HAPPENED SO ONLY THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS DESTROYED. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND JUST LEFT IT DISCONNECTED. I NO LONGER HAVE THE SWITCH THAT MALFUNCTIONED. I CANNOT BE SURE ABOUT THE INCIDENT DATE OR PURCHASE DATE, BUT I HAVE GIVEN AN APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE FOR EACH.

NHTSA complaint #10122468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT:04/10/05. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN DRIVEWAY OF RESIDENCE. CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE OR WHERE IT BEGAN. MOSTLY BURNT ON THE LEFT SIDE, BLEW LEFT FRONT TIRE. CONTACT IS NOT SURE IF IT WAS ELECTRICAL OR FUEL FIRE.*AK REGULARLY SERVICED WITH SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10120327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

1996 FORD F150 PICKUP EXPLODED INTO A BALL OF FIRE WITH IGNITION OFF. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH.

NHTSA complaint #10118166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OUR TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING. THERE WAS NO AFTER MARKET WIRING DONE ON THE TRUCK. WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW, AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH IT. THIS WAS NOT AN INSURANCE JOB. WE TOOK OUR FULL COVERAGE OFF OF IT WHEN WE BOUGHT OUR CAR. THE TRUCK IS AVAILABLE FOR AN INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA complaint #10117953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 3 HOURS A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10117525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ONE DAY A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10115827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1996 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED, TOTALING OUT THE PICKUP AND CAUSING EXTENTSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE AND DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10112649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10111500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I SAW ON THE NEWS THE RECALL FOR 2000-2001 MODEL FORD 150 TRUCK, THE TRUCKS ARE CATCHING ON FIRE WHILE SITTING FOR HOURS. MY HUSBAND HAD A 1996 FORD 150- THAT DID THE SAME THING SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE TRUCK SIT THERE FOR 8 HOURS THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 1:00 AM. THAT MORNING WHILE WE WERE IN BED. A FRIEND THAT WAS GETTING OFF WORK STOPPED AND WAKE US UP OUT OF BED. WAS IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS YEAR OF TRUCK. WE HAVE A FIRE MARSHALL COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT. IT WAS STARTED ALONG THE FIREWALL. WE HAD TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPT COME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. WE CONTACTED FOR AND THEY SAID MORE LESS SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10110003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE BEING PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS STILL UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10109094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR AN HOUR AND 45 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD WHICH WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH FAILURE. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10108917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP ABOUT 11:30 PM TELLING ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS. THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD ON DRIVERS SIDE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE AND IT'S MY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10090851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM WORK, WAS TALKING ON THE PHONE AND NOTICE SMOKE DRIFING BY THE SLIDING GLASS WINDOWS. SHE WENT OUT ONTO THE BACK DECK AND SAW THAT THE 1996 FORD F-150 (4-WHEEL DRIVE) WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. (AUGUST 9, 2004) THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AT THE BASEMENT LEVEL ON OUR HOUSE. SHE HEARD THE TRUCK REPEATLY TRYING TO START AS IF SOMEONE WAS IN SIDE, SHE THOUGHT THAT I HAD COME HOME AND SAW THE FIRE AND WAS TRYING TO MOVE IT AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE. SHE CALL 911. THE FRONT OF THE HOOD WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE WENT TO THE BEDROOM WINDOW TO SEE IF I HAD PULLED UP BUT I HAD NOT ARRIVED HOME YET. SHE WENT BACK OUT OF THE DECK AND THE TRUCK WAS STILL TRYING TO START. THE FIRE HAD BROKE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND HAD MELTED THE TIRES. OUR SONS TRUCK WAS PARKED BESIDE IT. HE HAD DAMAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS, FRONT HOOD AND REAR VIEW MIRROR OF HIS TRUCK. THE VINYL SIDING WHICH WAS ON THE SECOND LEVEL OF OUR HOUSE HAD MELTED.WE HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK ON SUNDAY AUGUST 8TH TO GET GROCERY. THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THEN.THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PARKED IN MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS CARPORT. SHE IS 79 YEARS OLD AND IS WIDOWED, HAS SLIGHT DEMENTIA AND LIVES ALONE AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED IN HER CARPORT, HER HOUSE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE, WITH HER INSIDE.WE LIVE NEXT TO HER AND SHE WANTED TO KEEP THE TRUCK AT HOUSE BECAUSE SHE LIVES ON THE HIGHWAY.THE TRUCK HAD RECENTLY BEEN PAID OFF AND INSURANCE WAS DROPPED TO LIABILITY, SINCE IT WAS SELDOM EVER DRIVEN. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT CAUSE THIS FIRE. WE HAVE TWO OTHER FORD VEHICLES. A 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10086586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM WORK, WAS TALKING ON THE PHONE AND NOTICE SMOKE DRIFING BY THE SLIDING GLASS WINDOWS. SHE WENT OUT ONTO THE BACK DECK AND SAW THAT THE 1996 FORD F-150 (4-WHEEL DRIVE) WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. (AUGUST 9, 2004) THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AT THE BASEMENT LEVEL ON OUR HOUSE. SHE HEARD THE TRUCK REPEATLY TRYING TO START AS IF SOMEONE WAS IN SIDE, SHE THOUGHT THAT I HAD COME HOME AND SAW THE FIRE AND WAS TRYING TO MOVE IT AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE. SHE CALL 911. THE FRONT OF THE HOOD WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE WENT TO THE BEDROOM WINDOW TO SEE IF I HAD PULLED UP BUT I HAD NOT ARRIVED HOME YET. SHE WENT BACK OUT OF THE DECK AND THE TRUCK WAS STILL TRYING TO START. THE FIRE HAD BROKE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND HAD MELTED THE TIRES. OUR SONS TRUCK WAS PARKED BESIDE IT. HE HAD DAMAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS, FRONT HOOD AND REAR VIEW MIRROR OF HIS TRUCK. THE VINYL SIDING WHICH WAS ON THE SECOND LEVEL OF OUR HOUSE HAD MELTED.WE HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK ON SUNDAY AUGUST 8TH TO GET GROCERY. THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THEN.THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PARKED IN MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS CARPORT. SHE IS 79 YEARS OLD AND IS WIDOWED, HAS SLIGHT DEMENTIA AND LIVES ALONE AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED IN HER CARPORT, HER HOUSE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE, WITH HER INSIDE.WE LIVE NEXT TO HER AND SHE WANTED TO KEEP THE TRUCK AT HOUSE BECAUSE SHE LIVES ON THE HIGHWAY.THE TRUCK HAD RECENTLY BEEN PAID OFF AND INSURANCE WAS DROPPED TO LIABILITY, SINCE IT WAS SELDOM EVER DRIVEN. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT CAUSE THIS FIRE. WE HAVE TWO OTHER FORD VEHICLES. A 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10086586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.