The 2000 Ford F-150 pickup truck that caught fire and sparked a blaze, destroying a Lanikai house Thursday, was recalled in 2005 for a faulty cruise control switch that could lead to fires, a federal agency says. The vehicle was also subject to a recall of a replacement fuel filter.

"On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke or burn," the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s website says. "This condition could lead to a fire. Fires have occurred while the vehicles were parked with the ignition off."

A Honolulu Fire Department investigator determined the fire was accidental and started in the engine compartment of the pickup truck, which was parked at the house.

The fire started in the vehicle and extended to the house, fire Capt. Terry Seelig said.

Greg Craft, 56, who rented the house with two other men, ages 65 and 18, disputed claims Thursday by neighbors and other passers-by who said the fire started in the truck. It was unclear Saturday if the faulty parts in his Ford had been replaced.

Craft earlier said he drove his F-150 home and went inside for about a half-hour before riding his bicycle to the beach nearby. He said he could not understand how a fire could start with the ignition off.

But the traffic safety agency urged F-150 owners by letter in 2005 to have their vehicle speed control system disconnected "as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire." A replacement part was available in early 2006.

A separate recall in 2006 focused on an after-market fuel filter made by UFI Filters USA for use on the 2000 Ford F-150. It was sold under the Purolator brand.

Due to the fuel filter’s incorrect design, it might not seat well with the tube interface, "even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached," the agency summary says. "Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur."

Whatever the cause, reports of parked Ford F-150s catching on fire are abundant on the Internet.

David of Houston wrote June 9 to Consumer Affairs at consumeraffairs.com that he drove his 2001 F-150 to the store, came home and parked it in his apartment parking. When his wife got home, it was in flames, he said.

Lonny of Bismarck, N.D., wrote May 8 that his 1998 F-150 had been parked in his garage for two weeks with no issues, but on a Monday morning burst into flames.

One YouTube video shows a parked 2002 Ford F-150 that suddenly caught fire while the owner was inside a store.

Two local car repair experts say they had no knowledge of the Ford recalls.

Bill Green, a consultant and former owner of Kahala Shell, said he can’t imagine a fire from a faulty speed control deactivation switch.

"The only ones (vehicle fires) I have personally witnessed is a gasoline line leak," he said.

He said heat from the motor or a short in the electrical system burning the insulation could have ignited gas fumes from a major leak.

Green said it’s important to make sure that a line is not leaking after it has been disconnected and reconnected, and recommends routine maintenance to catch leaks, shorts and recalls.

George Nitta, who owns Nitta’s Auto Repair and has a call-in radio show, "Automotive 101," said the deactivation switch is in the steering column inside the cab.

"If there is a short, it would blow the fuse out, then you have no electricity, no spark," he said. "I don’t understand how it can cause a fire."

Nitta said if the starter shorted out — a common problem in Fords built in the 1960s — the engine could start up on its own, but not with the newer models.

"It’s not possible," Nitta said. "You have to have a spark or flame to make a fire."