1998 Chevrolet Blazer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 26, 2011 · Electrical · IL · fire

1998 chevrolet blazer. Unit #1 was traveling east on the ohio turnpike in the center lane. Driver of unit #1 stated he heard a loud explosion come from the rear of the vehicle. Unit #1 pulled over to the left berm where it caught on fire. *ln according to the police report, the vehicle burned completely down to the metal and there was no way to determine what started the fire. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0450-90)

Filed Sep 9, 2008 · Seats · 150,000 miles · IN · fire · 1 injury

My power seat shorted out while I was driving and set my shorts on fire, vehical completly burned to the ground despite three fire trucks showing up in about 5 min. , reported to gm , but the said since vehical was destroyed they are not to blame.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Engine · AZ · fire

1998 chevy blazer caught fire while driving. Consumer pulled over on the shoulder and car burned to the ground. *kb the consumer stated the transmission and head gasket was leaking previously, but it was fixed. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0315-90. *jb updated 04/15/10 *bf remailed 05/27/10

Filed May 7, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 59,906 miles · UT

Blinker noise persists even when blinkers are turned off. Sound disapears after engaging brake pedal then persists when break pedal is released. In a heavy rain storm, had to use windshield wipers and after a few minutes of use white smoke came from the steering column. Talked to a gm mechanic who told me that this problem could cause my airbag to deploy - a real liability. Called gm to explain the problem & possible liability of airbag deployment (case #1-333564043) & was told that because of the blazer being a 1998 there may be nonthing they can do. The same multi-function switch was made in mexico for 1998-2001 models and if it disfunctions can cause break lights not to work as well as major electrical issues like airbag deployment or fire - wouldn't this be a recall for all models that have the part?

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Electrical, Steering · 60,925 miles · OR

The turn signal on my1998 chevy blazer won't stop clicking. I've already replaced the combination flasher/signal part that's behind the glove box with no result. Today I saw wisps of smoke coming from the steering console. I checked the fuses and they are fine. I'm afraid my car is going to catch on fire!

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Airbags · 86,524 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

I own a 1998 blazer on 10-19-o3 it was hit from rear. Since this time the airbag light stays on and everything on that switcc malfunctions. I have noticed on one ocasion that smoke came from the steering wheel. I do not want to continue to drive it.

Filed Apr 6, 2003 · Electrical · 63,500 miles · NJ · fire

Upon returning to my truck on tues evening 4/1/03 (after it was parked for 1 1/2 hrs) I noticed a burning smell when I opened the door. I had about a 4 mile ride home so I started the vehicle and attempted to go home. As I drove, the burning smell became horribly worse even though I could not see any smoke. I decided it was safer to drop it off at my local dealer (patterson chevrolet in hamilton nj)since it was on the way. I disconnected the battery as a precaution. The dealer worked on the truck on 4/2. In the process of trying to locate the source of the smell, they had to reconnect the battery. This resulted in the vehicle catching on fire!! Fortunately, they had traced the source of the smell to a wire harness under the passenger seat floor board that gets connected to a power seat (which I do not have!) and they had removed the carpeting and seats before the fire started. Upon extinguishing the fire, they removed the damaged wire harness and re-installed the seats & carpeting. This left me with a vehicle that still smells absolutely horrible and a $531 repair bill. If I had parked my truck in my attached garage like I do every night instead of running an errand, the truck most definitely would have caught fire in my garage and could have killed my entire family. I consider this a very near tragedy and the design of this wire harness needs to be looked at immediately before someone actually does get killed. Why didn't a fuse blow that automatically cut power to the shorting wire? Is this a recall item? Copies of this e-mail are being forwarded to the cpsc and the federal safety agency for review as well. There is no way a wire under a floor board should simply catch fire! Secondly, there is nothing that I could have done that could have prevented this incident or caused it. The repair expense in this instance should not be the burden of the consumer.

Filed May 2, 2002 · Electrical · VI · fire

The vehicle was parked the vehicle was on fire at the back .*jb investigator believes the fire was caused by electrical distribution.

Filed Oct 30, 2001 · Lights · IL

Steering column started smoking through hazard button opening. Pulled into driveway and shut off ignition- smoking stopped. I determined that it was the turn signal switch that was smoking. Reported to gm via phone (1‑800‑222‑1020) and was told that they couldnt/wouldnt do anything about it. Steering column could have easily caught fire if I hadnt stopped right away.

Filed Sep 13, 2001 · Transmission · IL · fire

Consumer was at a stop light rear tires started spinning as he pulled off. As consumer went up the bridge he looked though rearview mirror and saw white smoke coming from rear. Vehicle pulled over and consumer lifted hood up and noticed that engine was on fire. Dealership was aware of problem.*akthe nylon retainer ring that locks the transmission oil cooler line into the radiator failed, it broke and slid down the cooler line allowing the oil cooler line to disconnect spraying the engine with transmission fluid which caught fire. Nlm

Filed Apr 7, 2001 · Electrical · ID · fire

Our blazer caught on fire while driving down the interstate. We were traveling at 75 MPH using the cruise control. The steering wheel jerked a little and we immediately saw black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. White smoke was coming out of the passenger side under the hood. We pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. As we were pulling off the road the computer controlled dash instruments started to malfunction, but at no time did the engine appear to have problems. As soon as we pulled over we realized we had a fire & immediately called 911. Someone stopped with a small fire extinguisher to try a stop the flames. The fire appeared to be located towards the dash on the passenger side down in the middle or lower area of the engine compartment. The fire was so hot that it went through the passenger side below the dash board and entered the cab of blazer. At that point we had nothing left to extinguish the fire and shut all the doors and the hood to try & contain & smother the fire. We then waited for help. We were 150 miles from home when this happened on a rural stretch of interstate (the nearest town was 18 miles away). We would like an investigation to find our what happened to our vehicle. Our insurance company won't help. We have contacted the dealer and we are still waiting for the general manager to call back. We contacted gm and got as far as the product allegation resolution team. They sent a letter stating "our investigation revealed no evidence to support product allegation". We called them back and they admitted that they never looked at the vehicle. He said he followed procedures according to company policy (we have requested a copy of that policy). Our vehicle is still where it was originally towed in march. We would appreciate your help in this matter. Thank you.

Filed Aug 7, 2000 · Electrical · NJ

While driving turn signals malfunctioned in which the smoke came from the steering wheel, indicating a short circuit in the wiring harness. Please provide further information.