1996 Dodge Ram: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram. The contact noticed a chemical odor coming from the dashboard and the heater. The headlights flickered and the instrument panel lighting suddenly dimmed. The headlights went completely dim. The contact turned everything back on, but the headlights only illuminated for a few minutes. After driving without headlights, he noticed smoke coming from the vents on the driver's side. He pulled into his residence and turned off the vehicle, but the headlights remained illuminated. He attempted to turn the headlights off, but was unsuccessful. Smoke filled the vehicle and produced an awful odor. He removed the lamp fuse, but the buzzing noise still indicated that the headlights were illuminated. He reinserted the fuse and the buzzing sound continued. He noticed that the wiring harness was melted. The vehicle has not been repaired and is parked at his residence. The failure and current mileages were 180,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2003 · Engine · FL · fire

Engine caught on fire without warning.

Filed Apr 2, 2002 · Fuel system · KY · fire

While shutting vehicle off fuel shutoff solenoid caught on fire. Restarted starter, and vehicle would not shut off even when turning key. Burned wires and was smoking under hood. Consumer finally got vehicle shut off. Dealer contacted. *ak

Filed Jan 11, 2002 · Electrical · TX · fire

While tryinng to start engine ignition switch caught on fire and burned. Dealer got contacted. Please provide more information.

Filed Jan 9, 2002 · Electrical · PA · fire

Vehicle was being used to plow snow. Vehicle was moving forward at a very slow rate ( approx 1 MPH) and vehicle erupted in flames. Driver had to exit through a wall of flame and within less than a minute, cab was completely engulfed in fire. Vehicle completely destroyed in less than five minutes. Fire appeared to originate from beneath the cab, exact origin unknown. Vehicle will be kept on the premises until we hear from you. Our insurance adjuster has inspected the vehicle for insurance purposes but we have major safety concerns about this vehicle and would like to know what caused the fire. There was no service recently performed on the vehicle other than routine oil changes etc. The vehicle seemed to be running normally right up to the time that the vehicle caught fire.

Filed Aug 31, 2000 · Electrical · CA · crash · fire

Truck started with no key-jumped a barrier-rammed a building-caught on fire;

Filed Jun 22, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

After having trouble with the starter could hear noise coming from the engine. Then vehicle caught on fire without a warning.

Filed Jul 24, 1999 · Transmission · MN

The vehicle had just been repaired by sandusky chrysler dealership, sandusky, oh, for the previous axle failure. Traveling east on the ohio turnpike, the vehicle suddenly slowed, like someone just jammed-on my brakes. Within a minute, there were two very loud screetches. My wife, traveling in a rental vehicle behind me, even hear the screetches. Given our previous experience, I immediately stopped at the side of the road. While trying to see what happened, we were informed by construction crews that we could not stay, there, on the side of the highway. They directed us a couple miles up the road, to the next exit. Once off the highway, we stopped to find the driver's side rear wheel sticking out from the fender by a couple inches. On closer inspection, there was smoke coming from between the wheel and the backing plate. The wheel assembly was starting to separate from the axle housing, again. We called for a tow truck, to return the vehicle to the repairing dealership. Upon their inspection, the wheel bearings were again burned. And, yes, the wheel assembly and axle shaft were leaving the vehicle.

Filed May 21, 1999 · Transmission · MI

While driving driver saw heavy smoke coming from the back of truck. After stopping truck, driver crawled under the truck and noticed transmission fluid squirting out of the transmission line. Truck was towed to the dealership. Dealer is reparing the truck at owner's cost. Also, this truck was not included in recall 97v084000 chrysler/transmission cooling line. The failure was the plastic fitting that attaches the trans cooler line to the transmission, allowing fluid to leak out. Fluid was spewing out dangerously close to the ignition. *ak.et.

Filed Jan 4, 1999 · Brakes · NJ

Excessive pedal effort required to stop vehicle in normal braking situations. Front brakes smoke during hard stops or in stop and go traffic. It also gives off a burning smell. Brought back to dealer 2 times and they state that it is "normal". I just found out that in 1997, dodge changed the master cylinder on this truck to a larger unit. The rest of the brake system components are the same. I would think that this would solve my problem.

Filed Oct 6, 1998 · Engine · NY · fire

While the truck was parked it caught on fire near exhaust pipe. Owner had just driven truck about 3/4 of a mile. Owner was able to put out the fire. The dealer was notified about the fire. The truck has not been repaired.

Filed Oct 22, 1996 · Electrical · GA · fire

Consumer was driving and smelled fumes, pulled over, the engine almost caught on fire this is the same thing that happened in the electrical recall # 95v237000, dealer said consumer not in recall . Please describe .