1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 22, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 158,182 miles · CA · fire

My van was parked out side luckys on mitalda near w maude avenue in sunnyvale ca 94086 I was using the water refilling station and started to smell smoke when I turned around I imideatlly noticed that the drivers side rear taillight was on fire. Not having a fire extinguisher I took the bottle of water I had in my hands and started to throw water on it until the flames went out. What in the hell would make that happen? Is my van up for recall? I just purchased the van just a week ago. It has been a night mare for me not to mention extremely costly replacing everything's that's been going out. The A/C cluster the dash cluster the power window motor. The rear vent motor. Countless bulbs and fuses.

Filed Aug 14, 2007 · Electrical · 176,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke rising from the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was able to contain the flames to the engine compartment before extinguishing the fire. A police and fire report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 176,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2005 · Airbags, Fuel system · 93,000 miles · MS · crash · fire · 2 injuries

Dt: dt: the consumer purchased the vehicle from an individual. The vehicle caught on fire and was deemed totaled. After the accident the consumer learned of two recalls on the vehicle, one for the fuel rail and one for the air bags. The air bag did not deploy during the accident. The manufacturer sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle. There was conflicting information on the letter sent to consumer. This happened on january 17, 2005 . *ak

Filed Jun 5, 2005 · Fuel system · 12,400 miles · PA · fire

On march 3rd, of 2005, while returning home from an outing with my four children, I noticed that the power steering went out in our 1997 dodge grand caravan as I was pulling into my driveway. Within moments after getting the kids out of the vehicle, the front of our minivan was fully engulfed in flames. Before the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, the entire engine compartment, along with the windshield and hood was destroyed and the vehicle is now a complete loss. Since we did not carry comprehensive insurance on this vehicle due to its age, I contacted daimler-chrysler to make a claim for damages, which came to just around $5,300. Daimler-chrysler sent an independent inspector to our residence to investigate the incident. The results were turned over to their claim board and we were advised on 3-18-05 that their company refused to accept responsibility for the fire that not only destroyed our vehicle but could have easily caused injury or death to myself or our four children. It is my understanding from the federal safety agency website that there has been numerous fire-related recalls on the 1997 dodge minivans. Specifically, an article showed that a recall existed on this type of vehicle after several deaths were reported as a result of fuel rail and o-ring defects (daimler chrysler recall #895). At no time since our purchase of this vehicle, was there any notification concerning safety recalls and after specifically asking a dodge dealership, I was told that there was not. After receiving the denial letter from daimler-chrysler, I spoke with a representative from their claims resolution group, who would not give me a reason why the claim was denied and refused to send me a copy of their investigator's report.

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · 119,000 miles · AZ · fire

Consumer received the federal safety agency recall 00v268000 concerning fuel leakage. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine check up, and the mechanic informed the consumer that the recall repairs were done properly. On ma 3, 2004 while driving, the consumer noticed that smoke was coming from the hood. Suddenly the vehicle caught on fire. Consumer extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak while backing out of the driveway the vehicle hesitated and was turned off. The consumer then turned on the vehicle back on again return back into the driveway when the smoke started to come out of the engine compartment. The mechanics identified that the rubber bushings on the original fuel rail. The gas leak was still present and coming from the bushings. *sc the vehicle was originally taken to the dealership for a alternator problem.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NJ · fire

While driving rear right audio speaker caught on fire. Vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and the fire was put out with a large burlap bag.

Filed Apr 26, 2003 · Brakes · 68,300 miles · NY · fire

Vehicle had been parked for 48 hours when I was informed that it was on fire. The vehicle engine area was completely engulfed in flames, it had not been started or used at all since it was parked. Vehicle was a total loss. Our county arson task force investigator concluded it was caused by a faulty anti-lock brake system.

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL · fire

Vheicle was just parked when consumer returned to find smoke coming from underneath the hood. Vehicle was totaled consumer was treated for smoke inhalation. Consumer didn't have any warning while driving just before parking. Dealer was not notified.*ak consumer states that vehicle was experiencing fuel filter and fuel pumps problems and had been replaced several times before the incident.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · TN · fire

While driving, consumer smelled smoke coming from the engine, when arriving home there was a fire detected, claim 42-1396-385.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · MD · fire

While driving, power steering failed, consumer pulled over and saw smoke coming from vehicle, claim 25-5411-610.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · MD · fire

Vehicle caught fire while being driven, the fire originated in the engine compartment, claim 20-5392-910.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Electrical · IA · fire

Vehicle caught fire, there was a problem with the battery and it ignited in the engine compartment, the fire was contained to the engine compartment only, claim 15-3030-879.