general problems of the 1997 Ford Taurus

On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town. Upon pulling in the driveway the car started on fire immediately, at first she thought the car was overheating (white smoke) then realized the car was actually on fire (black smoke). She had to be helped by an idaho power employee who was driving by. A total of two 15lb fire extinguishers and garden hose were used to keep the fire at bay until the fire department arrived. The car was destroyed from the dash panel forward. The fire department determined the fire started at the power distribution box located by the master cylinder on the firewall. The fire department determined the cause as an "electrical fire", up until the fire the car had no known electrical or major mechanical problems. The car had no modifications and was completely stock. No insurance claim was filed as I only carried liability coverage on the car.

My door switches in my 97 Ford Taurus need replaced again. I had all 4 replaced 3 years ago and they keep leaving the dome light on again. Having the dome light on at night makes it difficult for me to see. I know there are several other people that are having or have had the same problem, someone should look into it.

Interior lighting will not turn off, this is a continuous problem with this car as it has been repaired more than once for the same problem.

While driving it was hard to shift gears/steer the vehicle. The brake and tail lights failed to work. The electrical system was intermittent, the radio would go off when the steering wheel was turned and when the vehicle was in drive. The problem would start when the vehicle was in park, reverse, or neutral. The seat belt light flickered on and off without cause.

While driving at any speed abs light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. The check engine soon had also come on. The consumer stated that the lights would come on intermittently, both at different times.

All lights, brake lights, hi-low beams and running lights work! all panel lights and interior lights work. Turning signals & emergency flashers do not work at all! it is as though the wires in the steering column were disconnected from both the turning stick (switch) and the emergency switch? checked every fuse in fuse box under hood and they all look ok. Assume no bulb problem because there was and is no fast blink. . . It seems like the problem was first noticed during an all day rain storm. . . Very dangerous situations came about because I assumed directional were still working during several turns. . . Then someone almost hit me when I was changing lanes. . . . I thought it was just a dumb driver till it happened a few more times. . . . Then I noticed no turn signals. . . Very scary (VIN: 1falp52u4tg256813)!.

Consumer states while putting vehicle in reverse, radio and windows quit working, sometimes when putting vehicle in reverse the steering wheel will get tight, possible electrical problem.

Electrical short caused power windows to fail. Also, steering malfunctioned intermittently. Dealer notified, and appointment was received.

Fuel injection system grounds, causing leakage and complete loss of electrical system which results in vehicle completely shutting down. Please give any further details.

Severe shock from static electricity build up.

The vehicles interior lights and door ajar chime came on and stayed on after the vehicle was started.

While driving and without warning lost power steering. Only warning that was received by consumer was a short in electrical components.