Ford was forced to recall more than 10 million cars and trucks between 1999 and early this year because of a particular cruise control switch that was linked to a number of vehicle fire cases. Those switches were part of a live electrical circuit, so even when engines were turned off the switches were capable of contributing to a fire. Speaking with AutoWeek, Ford spokeswoman Jennifer Moore said the switches in the Windstar are not powered at all times.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently running the investigation and reports that 36 of the 130 complaints were made this year alone and involved vehicles that were both driving and parked.