2003 Chevrolet Silverado: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 4, 2016 · Electrical · 126,000 miles · MI

While driving, the heater blower stopped working and I smelled burning plastic or insulation. I pulled over and figured out it was coming from under the dash. Logically I pulled the bottom cover off from below the blower assy.(former mechanic). Smell was coming from plug harness and relay. Melted wire insulation and melted plastic from plug harness(obvious short). I was near an auto parts store and checked to see if they had this wiring plug assy. And they informed me that they did and this was an issue that gm had and there had been a safety recall on this. It's winter and I needed a defroster! Roadside fix, but this could have been much worse. Contacted gm and they informed me that this was not their problem because the VIN number wasn't part of their recall. Gm case # 8-174060432. Not dropping this, this could have gotten worse.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · OR · crash · fire · 1 injury

This is the second of three fatal collisions investigated this year by my office involving chevrolet pickups that caught fire after being involved in frontal collisions. This was an off set head on, passenger side to passenger side. Passenger in pickup was pinned in vehicle due to crush and consumed by fire.

Filed Jul 8, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 84,000 miles · NH · fire

After a 3 mile ride, backing up truck noticed smoke then flames coming out from under the hood. Fire melted all electical lines, destroyed hood and windshield. Weather was perfect, air conditioning may have been on.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Fuel system · 275,000 miles · IN

While driving the consumer smelled excessive smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, followed by low oil pressure, and the crank case getting full of diesel. The dealership indicated that fuel injection blew out. This was a common problem, and the manufacturer extended the warranty on this part. This part had been on back order for four weeks. *ak

Filed May 11, 2004 · Fuel system · GA · crash · 1 injury

While driving vehicle leaked fuel. When this occurred the brake pedal became hard and failed to stop vehicle when the pedal was depressed, resulting in a rear end crash. Consumer sustained minor injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and dealership only repaired the body parts damaged by the crash. However, dealership indicated it couldn't find any leak. When the consumer picked up the vehicle from the dealership there was smoke coming out from under the hood. Dealership indicated that the smoke was caused by fluid from the radiator, and the body parts they had replaced. The failure recurred while driving on the highway at 55 MPH. This caused the vehicle to hydro plane from the diesel fuel, and consumer lost control of the vehicle. It was towing a trailer at the time of the incident. The trailer jack knifed and damaged the side of the vehicle. It was towed to another dealership, who found a leak in the fuel injector line.

Filed Apr 9, 2004 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · VT · fire

Vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway. (nar) *ph fire was due to a mechanical and/or electrical problem with the vehcle. The fire not only destroyed consumer's vehicle but damaged the siding of the house. *la

Filed Feb 16, 2004 · Electrical · AL · fire

My 2003 chevrolet silverado caught on fire and burnt after being parked for at least and hour and a half. It was a total loss.

Filed Feb 1, 2003 · 12,170 miles · MA · fire

Vehicle fire-shut truck off and was going into my home when I heard a pop noise turned and looked and the engine compartment of my 2003 chevrolet silverado was smoking and flames were shooting out from under the hood.truck was totally engulfed in flames with in minutes. Ts