1999 Dodge Grand Caravan: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 7, 2017 · Fuel system · 210,000 miles · GA · fire

On 01/23/17 I took a short drive in the car and I smelled a slight stench of gasoline but didn't think much of it at the time, until later on in the day when I had to take my car out again and the engine started smoking and burst into flames. The vehicle was stationary and the keys were in the ignition then I proceeded to started the car and that's when it happened, so im guessing it was fuel injection problem.

Filed Nov 2, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 275,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 dodge grand caravan. While driving 35 MPH, an abnormal fuel odor was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder lane and the engine compartment caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a fire report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 00v268000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000. The vehicle was destroyed.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Electrical · 104,800 miles · CO · fire

I went out to start my car (1999 dodge grand caravan se) and it initially wouldn't start. There was just a clicking noise from the starter but it wouldn't turn over. I tried it a couple more times and it finally started. But there was an unusual rattling noise. I turned the ignition key off and the engine stopped but some part on the car kept running. I had my fiance look at it - he couldn't figure out what was going on either. It drove ok around the block but it sounded horrible. He couldn't get it to turn off completely either. After a few minutes, smoke started coming out from the front end of the car. My fiance could see it was in the area of the starter. Initially, if the car was left idling, the smoke lessened but if the ignition was shut off the smoke got worse. So we left it idling while we looked for possible ways to shut it off completely. After a few more minutes, the smoke began again and there were flames under the hood around the starter. I called 911 to get the fire department here while my fiance used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire. The fire department arrived after we were able to put out the fire with the extinguisher and they helped us disconnect the battery cable in a safe manner so that everything shut off. The fireman suggested we check for possible problems with other vans like ours and to file a complaint regarding our experience. They took down my information and filed a report for their response to the fire. We replaced the starter and checked all the connections for fire damage. The old starter was taken by the auto parts store so it is not available anymore. The mechanic at the store said it sounded like the solenoid on the starter was stuck in the "on" mode and that was what caused the odd noise and subsequent fire. Since then, everything seems to be running just fine.

Filed Jun 29, 2003 · Steering · IN · crash · fire

Electrical fire under the steering column, wiring harness replaced, and problems with the steering wheel.*mr the vehicle is equipped with emc ds2000 adaptive steering and emc egb. While driving the vehicle's failure alarms constantly sounded. On one occasion the system malfunction and caused an accident. On another occasion the vehicle caught on fire under the steering column. On both occasions the dealer replaced the wiring harness. The driver continued to have problems with the steering wheel. The dealer determined that the gear train of the encoders were damaged. Both encoder gears as well as the encoder assembly were replaced.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · NJ · fire

Vehicle caught on fire under the hood, claim 30-v502-154.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · IL · fire

Vehicle caught on fire while parked, when vehicle was purchased new, the dealer installed an engine battery heater, it was plugged in at the time of the loss, this was possibly the cause of the fire, vehicle is destroyed from the firewall forward, claim 13-7233-513.

Filed Oct 24, 2000 · Engine · FL · fire

Consumer had came home and parked vehicle in garage, a few hours had passed when an explosion was heard, consumer saw that the vehicle was on fire, the house also caught on fire, possible engine failure.

Filed Mar 11, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · LA · crash · fire

Approximatel;y an hour after mva (damage to front drivers side), I left to accident scene. Transmission would not shift, so pulled over at first avaliable area. The engine caught on fire. Insurance estimates in excess of $6000 of structural damage form accident in addition to fire. Vehicle is total loss. I don't believe the crumble zones properly protected to frame. I don't think the vehicle should have caught on fire. Investigation of the federal safety agency web site produced the federal safety agency action number ea99013 which prompted contact.

Filed Jul 6, 1999 · Fuel system · CA · fire

While parked, vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. Inspector said there was a problem with the fuel injection system. *ak

Filed Jun 11, 1999 · Brakes · WI

Consumer was driving approx. 45 MPH when she smelled burning plastic, pulled into the garage there was smoke from front of vehicle in the tire areas, vehicle was towed to dealership, was test driven and could not duplicate the problem, since june 1st problem comes and goes, second time dealership discovered that the booster brake was out, at this time they are waiting for parts.