1997 Dodge Caravan: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 24, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 209,000 miles · VA · fire

My wife park the van inside the garage, turn off the radio, engine and lights. She open the drivers door and see flames and smoke coming by the parking brake handler. And all the lights on the van were on. She remove the kids from the van and my son call 911.police and fire department came and extinguish the fire, remove the van from the garage and check it and found possible electrical malfunction .check the van today 8-24 2013 and found that the fire start at the head light switch. Dim switch ok and mirror switch ok. The fire damage the left side of the dashboard, windshield, sun visor and celling. I have this van since new, never have a problem before. And never see a problem like this.

Filed Aug 4, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · VA · fire

While parked at a stop sign the vehicle started to smoke. A fire then appeared coming out of the hood. 911 was called and fire squad came. Within 5 minutes the entire front of the car was engulfed in flames. Fire extinguishers were used but it could not put out the fire. Fire truck came and by this time the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. Firemen used water to finally control the fire. Fire restarted and had to be put out again and eventually the fire was completely extinguished. It was perhaps only 10 minutes for the fire to start, spread, and completely and utterly destroy the van. Because of the intensity, quickness of the fire, and the difficulty in putting it out, it appears to be a fuel related fire. I read that dodge had fuel line "o" rings that could be defective and that could have been the cause. I called dodge headquarters and explained the event. I am still waiting for a call back.

Filed Oct 29, 2010 · Fuel system · 170,000 miles · AL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the engine suddenly caught fire while he was driving at approximately 30 MPH. The contact called the fire department to extinguish the fire and a fire report was available. The entire engine compartment was burned. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would send someone to inspect the vehicle. The local dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 00v268000 (fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system). The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 170,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Fuel system · 175,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic stop there was an unusual noise coming from the vehicle. She then noticed there were flames coming from the front drivers side fender. The fire department was called and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was available. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The contact believed the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 00v268000 (fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system) was the cause the failure. The manufacturer advised her that her VIN was not included in the recall. The failure and current mileages were 175,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Fuel system · NC · fire

1997 dodge caravan gas on the inside of the car*cw the consumer stated after he filled the gas tank, it quickly ran out. As the consumer was going back to the gas station, the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. The consumer was able to get out of the vehicle safely. The fire department came to put the fire out. The consumer was then informed the fuel rail had burst and came loose which caused fuel to leak, which caused the fire.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Electrical · 93,000 miles · MA

1997 dodge caravan 3.3 liter v6 with 93000 miles. Started vehicle and the starter mechanism locked onto the flywheel or failed to disengage, making a screeching noise. Turned ignition off and engine shut down but starter kept cycling engine. Removed keys from ignition and van was still attempting start by turning the engine over and over. Strong smell of burning electrical components as the starter continued to cycle engine, unabated, with keys out of ignition. Hood was popped and battery cables were disconnected shutting the starter off. The starter cranked the engine, nonstop, without keys in ignition, for approximately 10 minutes. The only way to stop this was to disconnect the battery. Upon immediate inspection of the starter it was found to be red hot. The cables/wires coming out of the starter were red hot and smell of burning plastic filled the air. The starter was removed and found to be original equipment ( with chrysler corporation logo intact). The starter was found to be locked in the extended position and would not retract. A new starter was purchased and installed due to the original being inoperable. Old starter was turned in to pep boys in raynham, ma for core refund. There is no doubt that if the battery was not disconnected, the starter would have continued to start the engine until it eventually(starter)overheated enough to ignite the wires and start an engine fire.

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Engine · 177,000 miles · MI · fire

Dt*: the contact stated after being parked for 15 minutes the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle has not yet been seen by a mechanic to determine where the fire started or the extent of the damage.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Brakes · CA · crash · fire · 1 injury

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall 96v215000 concerning master cylinder in july 2002. After the repairs, the brake system caught on fire and melted the tires. Master cylinder was replaced. On 11/18/2003, the brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The driver sustained a damaged disc in the neck and spinal cord.

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Brakes · 102,175 miles · ID · fire

While driving 35 MPH the front brakes caught on fire. The dealer was notified and replaced the brake pads. The pads only had 1500 miles on them. *ak *ts

Filed Sep 8, 2003 · Fuel system, Locks · CA · fire

Consumer received a recall notice regarding the air bag warning light. Air bag light had been on since she owned the vehicle. The consumer received a letter from the dealer which asked her to bring the vehicle in for service. When the consumer arrived at the dealer it was too late. On the way back home she smelled smoke but kept driving until she reached home. The vehicle was turned off and the consumer looked under the vehicle and saw flames coming from under the vehicle. She got the hose and put the fire out. Then, called the mechanic/dealer. There were also problems with the automatic door locks.

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Electrical · FL · fire

Vehicle caught on fire inside of the engine compartment without prior warning while sitting at an intersection.

Filed Jul 2, 2003 · Fuel system · TX

I have a broken fuel line on my '1997 dodge caravan,3.0l engine. This is the exact same fuel line problem that dodge had a recall on in the 3.3 and 3.8l engine on all 1997 dodge caravans , recalled I think november, 2000. I went to my local dealer to have the problem fixed, but they refused to honor the recall repair because I had a 3.0 engine. The problem is the same. I think dodge should take care of the repair as well as recall these engines too. All engine sizes on this make and model for the year 1997 should be looked at. My mother-in-law was driving the vehicle at the time the fuel line erupted. The mini van could have caught fire. The fuel sprayed all over the engine.