2002 Dodge Grand Caravan: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 19, 2023 · Fuel system · AZ · fire

I was driving down highway 60 when my van backfired. I thought it was a blown tire & started pulling off the highway. When pulling off the highway I noticed the orange glare off the side rails on the highway. That's when I realized that the van had caught on fire under the hood. Once I pulled over I had a friend call 911 to report my van on fire while I tried to open the hood & put the fire out. The hood was to hot to open so I grabbed everything I could from my van & stayed clear of it until the Arizona fire dept & Arizona highway patrol came. All my information was taken by the Arizona highway patrol. I was told that my van will be at J&S Towing & that my friends & i can leave the scene.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 137,700 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that smoke appeared from the side mirror power switch. The panel melted although no flames were present. In addition, the horn failed to activate when depressed. The contact replaced the power switch, but the horn was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 137,700.

Filed Mar 14, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA · fire

Dodge grand caravan just went up in flames while driving within maybe 5 minutes fire fighters control the situation but the motor ,battery, everything in front inside hood just melted I really need help I had just finished paying it when this happened. I attribute this to the faulty electrical recalls it has as well as the fuel. Help. At least I want a replacement.

Filed Mar 25, 2008 · Electrical, Locks · PA · fire

While driving I smelled smoke. I couldn't see where it was coming from so I continued driving. Then I saw smoke coming out from behind the panel on the passenger side rear sliding door. I then pulled over to see what was going on. I couldn't see a fire from inside and the door didn't feel hot. I walked around to the outside and touched the door, which was hot. I then noticed burn marks through the paint. I went back into the van and pulled part of the panel away and saw flames inside the door. I then took a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. I called 911 and asked for the fire department.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Engine · WI · fire · 2 injuries

On november 28, 2007 my 2 year old son, dylan fisher depetro lost his life, along with 9 month old amelia demeuse, to a minivan fire that also seriously injured two others in the town of luxemburg, wi. Our son's sitter ran some errands for another little girl's 1st birthday. While she was in a hardware store, purchasing decorations, the minivan, holding five children (along with my son) caught fire. The cause remains under investigation. I hold no anger towards sue laluzerne, the sitter. She loved my son and my son loved her. However, I know that my son's death was not in vain. He was called home to jesus for a reason and I feel it's my calling to ensure that something like this never happens again. The minivan was destroyed by fire in less than 5 minutes. My son was pronounced dead at the scene from smoke inhalation and soot. He probably only took two breaths before becoming unconscious. Although the cause has not been determined, I firmly believe that there is no excuse for a vehicle becoming consumed in flames in such a short time. My son was in a car seat that was built into the minivan; a seat that contained highly flammable, toxic materials. We are working with gil ross, a lawyer out of chicago, to help us during this time. There is no amount of money that could ever ease the pain of losing my child. What I really want to happen out of all of this is for the auto industry to stop using flammable materials in their seats, especially if car seats are built in. I want people to be trained in the use of car seats in cpr classes across the nation and a mechanism for quick release of a car seat in the event of an accident or fire. I ask for your help in making the world aware of this safety issue and helping us to change the safety standards. My son deserves this. Thank you.

Filed May 31, 2006 · Fuel system · 6,000 miles · TN · crash · fire · 4 injuries

On july 4, 2002 my 2002 dodge grand caravan was involved in a low speed rollover in which the vehicle came to rest upside down. In the minutes following the rollover the vehicle caught on fire and burned completely up. My wife and 3 children were traveling in the vehicle when this happened and all 3 by the grace of god were pulled to safety by persons near the accident. Two months later I received a recall on the van from the dealer indicating there was a recall on the fuel system to replace a part that may cause a fire in the event of a rollover.

Filed May 15, 2006 · Electrical, Steering · 74,000 miles · VT · fire

Dt*: the contact stated while parked at a stop light white smoke came from the heating vent on the passenger side of the dash board. The smoke began to turn black and flames erupted from the dashboard vent. The contact pulled off of the road. The fire department extinguished the fire however, they could not determine the source of the fire. Prior to the incident, the contact smelled something similar to plastic burning. The contact reported the same smell intermittently three to four months prior to this incident. The dealership determined there was a hose leaking fluid and it was replaced. The contact does not recall the type of fluid leaking or the type of hose that was replaced. The smell continued however, the dealership could not determine the source of the smell. Updated on 05/30/2006.

Filed May 19, 2004 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · 00 · fire

While sitting in the vehicle and idling consumer noticed smoke coming from the front end. Consumer left the vehicle, and saw that fire was rising up from beneath of vehicle. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer examined the vehicle, and could not determine the cause of the fire.

Filed Apr 5, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 22,153 miles · FL · fire

On 6/11/03 vehicle was making power steering noises & auto dr locks wouldn't lock at 15 MPH. Replaced power hose, hose clamp & oil trans. Informed I needed new brakes (22, 153 miles & didn't req that they do this when I arrived at shop). 7/2/03 took van in 'cause left rear (driver side) speaker caught on fire while at a gas pump. While at gas pump w/2 of our 4 kids in the car. Brakes that were just replaced prev month were squeaking as well as the steering again. (dealer-brakes squeak 'cause they are metal & there is air in the steering line). 9/23/03 van battery blew up when started. Replaced battery. 12/3/03 steering making noise during turns. Replaced both sway bars links. 12/29/03 steering is very tight & shuddering again & auto lock button on key chain won't work. Ordered new power steering rack & resevoir. Then on 1/6/04 tach spiked at 4k, vehicle lost power & engine light came on while on expressway w/my baby in the car. Determination was the transmission solenoid assy failure & replaced the same. This cost me $107 (would have cost more if I wasn't given an extended warranty for fire I had). 1/19/04 van was giving a burn smell from under the hood along with smoke. They found A/C compressor clutch shorting in coil. A/c compressor replaced & recharged. 2/5/04 vehicle taken for the last time for loud popping sound under the dr's ft area when turning left. All suspension parts tightened. Next visit is req'd by the fl lemon law to give them 1 more chance before paperwork can be filed. Done on 3/8/04 for steering noise when stopped & just turning wheel. Replaced pt that was replaced before: power steering pump resevoir. Paperwork filed for florida lemon law on 4/5/04,unsave vehicle & fear for safety of family.