RIP: Local '06 Mustang GT burns to the ground

CWCobra

Founding Member
Mar 21, 2000
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A 2006 Mustang GT caught fire and burned to ground here last week. It is suspected that the cause of fire was related to an "overcharging" alternator that was replaced earlier in the day by local dealer. Luckily, car was parked in a lot, and not in the owner's garage, else he would have likely lost his home or worse.

Ford Motor Co., as well as local dealer, both deny any responsibility whatsoever. Owner is apparently at a loss of not only his insurance deductible, but also the "depreciation" as computed by insurance company. He's taking it well, considering how close he came to losing his home and family - if he had parked in his normal garage space.

Car was bone stock, with 7,000 miles. It's hard to conceive that a new car could catch fire, and result in a total loss, and there be no factory defects.

Has anyone else heard of spontaneous engine compartment fires in the '05-'06 Mustang GT?

CW
 
I don't remember the details, but there was a rash of Lincoln Towncars spontaneously catching fire and burning up a few years ago. If memory serves (and it probably does not, so take this with a grain of salt) it was something with the brake system. Leaked brake fluid onto something hot, it flared and the whole car would end up burnt down.
 
Stang2003GT said:
Happend to me in a 2001 expedition with the 4.6. Only after a year an a half.
IIRC, on the expeditions, there was a cruise control switch that was located next to the brake fluid reservoir. Apparently, something about that switch would catch the the fluid on fire - many times hours after the vehicle had been driven.

I may be missing some of the details there - someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I had to have our '00 Expy serviced for the recall on that switch.

Maybe the Mustang has a similar problem?:shrug: