2001 Dodge Intrepid: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 15, 2009 · Engine · 106 miles · FL

While I was on my way to work my car started running really bad like I was going to stop. There was smoke coming from tail pipe. This had been going on for a while. I drove a little further the engine just died.

Filed Mar 8, 2007 · Engine · 86,420 miles · CA · 1 injury

Wife was driving in a residential neighborhood when the temperature dial went to hot and chimed. Within 2-3 minutes of the chime notifying my wife of a problem, the engine seized and stalled while driving. My wife rolled partially onto a nearby driveway and saw smoke coming from under the hood. My wife had to push the vehicle out of the driveway and down the road in traffic about 1/4 of a mile, to a nearby hotel parking lot to await a tow home. The owner of the home refused to be of assistance to my wife. In the process, my wife re-injured her lower back by pushing the car and simultaneously hopping into the vehicle to navigate/steer/brake while the car was in motion. She was currently under a doctor's care and being treated for this lumbar injury. The intrepid was towed to a mechanic and he said the water pump failed which resulted in the engine seizing. The mechanic elaborated in sharing how there was no way for my wife to know at any point that there was a underlining problem with the failing water pump and that it was typical for this particular vehicle. We were told it would be $6,000 to rebuild the engine and this problem would occur again later if we opted to move forward and have it rebuild. It was suggested to sell to a junk yard or donate to charity. It's a 2001 dodge intrepid se. It sits in our driveway.

Filed Dec 4, 2006 · Engine · 82,000 miles · CA · fire

Dt*: the contact stated upon merging into traffic at 40 MPH on the freeway, there was a loud bang followed by flames erupting from underneath the hood. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road. A bystander alerted the fire department who extinguished the flames. There were no injuries sustained. There was moderate fire damage to the engine compartment area. The police were not alerted. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, who was unable to determine the cause of fire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who determined the fire originated from the engine and engine oil. The manufacturer was alerted.

Filed Oct 30, 2006 · 81,000 miles · CA · fire

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 MPH on dry road conditions, a thumping noise was heard coming from the front end, and smoke escaped from under the hood. Also, smoke entered the cab at the same time the thumping sound occurred. The vehicle was pulled over and flames erupted from under the hood seconds later. The fire department was contacted, extinguished the fire and determined that the fire was caused by an air conditioner hose that blew up. No injuries were sustained and a police report was not taken. The vehicle was later inspected by a certified mechanic, who determined that the air conditioner hose was too close to the manifold. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been repaired. The contact planned to contact the manufacturer after filing a complaint with the federal safety agency.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Engine · 121,000 miles · WI · fire

My engine began ticking, I pulled over popped the hood and smoke rolled out, I checked the fluid levels and tried to restart the car, it wouldn't start, I waited a few minutes tried starting it again and it worked, I drove 3 miles home and the engine died as I turned down my street, once again the engine was smoking so I popped the hood and flames shot up, I put the flames out and the car has been sitting in my driveway since. I have done nothing to repair it since apparently it's a design of dodge and chrysler's 2.7 v6 according to many other owners.

Filed Aug 7, 2006 · Engine · IL · fire

I was driving on the tollway when my car began to overheat. I turned on the heater to maximum and drove at about 55 MPH. About one mile from home another car pulled along side to tell me that there were flames coming from underneath my car. I immediately pulled over but could not stop immediately as I lost all power and had no brakes. Since the exit was on an incline I was able to coast to a stop and my wife and I exited the car. Within less than 10 seconds after we exited the car was engulfed in flames and was totaled.

Filed Aug 1, 2006 · Engine · 52,000 miles · FL · fire

Dt*: the contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and smoke came from under the hood while driving 70mph on the highway. The contact pulled over and checked under the hood where flames were now present within the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the contact using a bottle of water. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted.

Filed Jun 5, 2006 · Engine · PA · fire

2001 dodge intrepid engine caught on fire. *ts the consumer had the cruise control on and soon saw smoke, then the coolant light illuminated.

Filed Mar 10, 2006 · Electrical · 67,000 miles · NJ · fire · 1 injury

My name is [xxx]. November 2005 I have bought dodge intrepid 2.7 l sedan 2001 - to help my wife moving safely. I have spent all my savings for it. At the beginning of january 2006 I had problem with the engine .engine was blown up (mechanic told me engine is completely broken and is no possibilities to repair it.) I was very disappointed and I dint know what I had to do. I decided to buy new engine to switch .I have paid for it $4000.00 from my credit card because I didn't have any choice.) after 1,5 month march 8, 2006 this car caught fire from electric engine inside the passenger door. My wife was in the hospital to make check up in this time and when she returned and opened the door the flame was blown outside and one door was completely burned. There was police and fire department and they made rapport of this accident. Now this car is not for any use because all inside is completely covered by dust and smoke fire and sludge and is very toxic and smells really bad. Insurance refused me to cover this car failure (I had only basic plan) I have bought the car 4 years old and I believed in daimler chrysler quality now I see is something wrong with this car because I made investigation on internet and I found couple hundreds failures of this car most of then are the same as mine. I have no money to buy another car and still I have to pay for engine which I switched. I don't have money for regular layer that's why I decided to ask you for assistance and help because I am completely helpless I have spend $6500.00 for the car and next $4000.00 and used it only by 2 months I think is something wrong with this kind of cars. Please help me. *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Electrical · 75,400 miles · MI · fire

My 2001 dodge intrepid electrical system caused the vehicle to catch on fire. There was no accident. Aaa insurance company's origin's inspector said it was due to faulty wiring. I never had any electrical type work done to the car. The car was totaled. Luckily, my son and I were able to get out of the car in time.

Filed Jun 29, 2005 · Engine · 29,170 miles · FL

Dt: 2001 dodge interpret, the first time the vehicle stalled steering wheel shook and the engine light turned on. Vehicle would still be moving without pressure being put on the gas pedal. Vehicle would shut off and would not start again. Consumer had to try to get the vehicle to start back for about 20 minutes before the vehicle would turn back on. Consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer various times, and dealer could not find the cause of the problem. After taking the vehicle to the dealer 3 months later he told the consumer that after running a diagnostics test that there was no signal from the cam sensor, dealer replaced the cam sensor and checked it again. Vehicle was still under warranty at this time. The problem happened again around two years later, at the last oil check-up the vehicle was shaking. At first consumer that the problem was from some other matter with the vehicle, afterwards the problems with the vehicle reminded the consumer of the first incident, the vehicle was shaking again, the engine light had come on, there was smoke coming from under the hood. Vehicle stalled again. When consumer tried to drive vehicle again the engine light would come on and the vehicle would shake, after consumer had parked the vehicle it was leaking oil and another fluid mixed with the oil. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Dealer said that engine needed to be replaced. Consumer had dialed 911 the second time the vehilce had stalled in the middle of four lane traffic, there was a police cruser that told consumer to move the vehicle. They were suppose to send back up but no one showed up. Consumer was unsure if there was a report filed.

Filed Jun 16, 2005 · Engine · 101,000 miles · SC

Dt: contact states while his wife was driving vehicle stalled, there was smoke coming from under the hood. There were no power steering or power brakes. There were no warning lights before this happened. The service dealer said the motor needed to be replaced. Upon inspection, it was found that a plastic part of the water pump broke off. The vehicle has been regularly maintained.