general problems of the 2013 Ford F-250

Travelling north on i25 in new mexico. Going 60 mph pulling a 5th wheel trailer. Low fuel pressure light came on and lost power steering. Smoke coming from under hood. Then all warning lights came on and coasted to side of the road. By the time I stopped, the engine compartment was fully engulfed in flames. Tried to release the hood but cable melted. Exited the vehicle and called 911. Passer by loaned me fire extinguishers but fire too hot. Fire department arrived within minutes and extinguished the flames. Truck towed to a holding yard.

2013 Ford F-250 super duty. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle electrical system issues. The consumer stated the radio would sometimes come on with the key and would only work on one am channel and on fm channel and it would not turn off. The only way to turn off the radio, was to turn the engine off and re-start it. The stereo system had a bad reception. The fuel gauge was stuck on 1/4 tank and he took several tries shutting the vehicle on and off to get it to work the door alarm worked intermittently. The dash lights come on and go off intermittently at night, the cruise control lights illuminated, the def notice dash display came on last week and alerted the consumer he had 500 miles left until he needed to fill up again.

The Ford f250 has no provision for illuminating the dashboard instruments in daylight. All of the controls for headlight, parking light, etc. Require the sensor on the dashboard to be reporting dark conditions similar to night time. This observation was confirmed by Ford service personnel who added that they have had many complaints about this condition. Even on bright days, the shadows on the instrument panel can be deep enough to prevent their being read. These instruments include the speedometer, temperature and fuel gages, and on-board warning/display. This is a deliberate design change from earlier models. Ford service personnel said, " I can't imagine why they would do this". The instrument lights can be made to light during daylight only by blocking the dashboard light sensor. A crumpled black plastic bag is effective. There does not seem to be a valid reason for keeping the instrument lights off whenever any of the headlamps are on. The inability to read the instruments is a constant distraction and reduces the driver's effective view of the road.