Car was parked in driveway, untouched, for at least 24 hours. Fire erupted about 7:00 am. Flames were coming through the drivers side windshield. Seemed to be electrical in nature. Car is a total loss. Car is completely original (no electric alterations). Car had been to the dealer within the last 2 years so any recall work should have been done.
1994 Ford Aerostar: fire, smoke or burning smell
14 of the 257 complaints about the 1994 Ford Aerostar describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 6 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
Dt: the contact stated 1994, ford van caught on fire on the freeway on 8-8-05. She was not having problems prior to the fire. The fire seemed to be electrical and originated under the hood. *ak *jb updated 2/7/2006 - the consumer received recall 97v204000 on nov 13, 1997 for the transfer case/driveshaft but the dealer refused to make the repairs. This failure of this component could result in a fire. The consumer received information from the federal safety agency on two recalls for the vehicle. One was 99v028000 for the electrical wiring under the hood and the other one was 99v029000 for the ignition switch.
The accessories in my dash and steering column are shorting out, and I saw that there was a recall on that. The problem is that the recall does not include when my van was made. I don't care why I just want to be able to drive my kids to school and back and not have my van catch on fire. We have been through that already with a different vehicle. Also, the fuel pump is acting up andi was told it seems as though it is shorting out!. Again not the right month but I have the same problems so the way I see it is that ford messed up and should fix the problem, period. I plan to continue to follow this and to right to my local government. The safety of my family should not be determined as to how loudly people complain, it seems as though the vehicles that are covered were the greatest risk to the company.
Consumer saw smoke coming from steering column, then heard a pop with a cloud. Consumer had no lights, and stated that smoke was coming from steering column and filled the car. Vehicle was towed to dealer, and they stated a ground wire burned, and caused the smoke.*ak
The vehicle just went up in flames.
Vhehicle caught fire near center of motor behind where you put in the oil. Vehicle was taken to local ford dealer for recall on the accessory power circuit. I received a letter in the mail about the switch recall. The 94-95 models where also recalled due an electrical short out at fuel pump resulting in power loss and fire. I belive this to be what happened to my van.I was not notified of this recall, niether was I informed of it whan I took the van in for the other recall on the switch. Can you tell me what to do from here? Should I go to the local ford dealer?
My clients, the frederick family (father, mother and 3-yr-old daughter) sustained third degree burns when their 1994 ford aerostar van spontaneously caught fire while travelling on I-40 near needles, california. Fire was the result of the transfer case output shaft bushing displacement, thereby failing the drive shaft which struck the pavement, then richocheted into the fuel tank and pierced the tank, allowing raw fuel to escape and ignite, probably from the catalytic converter or sparks from the drive shaft striking the pavement. This case is in litigation in united states district court in las vegas, nevada, being case no. Cv-s-00-0444-ktd-rlh. Peter chase neumann, attorney for plaintiffs, 136 ridge street, reno, nv 89501. 775‑786‑3750.
Upon starting vehicle consumer noticed smoke coming from the steering column. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer replaced the electrical wiring harness. Also, when vehicle was in the off position, it continued to run, causing the battery to die out. Please provide any further details.
An electrical short caused vehicle to overheat and catch on fire.
While starting the vehicle up there was alot of smoke coming from under the hood, and the smoke melted the wires. The consumer stated one could see the smoke.
Was driving 7 kids in vehicle, going about 45mph, when transfer case was leaking under normal driving conditions. Another truck forced aerostar off road due to being on fire. Flames had made tank glow red. Flames put out w/fire extinguisher. Vehicle towed to ford dealer. Repairs done on transfer case under recall 97v‑204.000. Took vehicle home & parked it. Started to leak. This was the 8th transfer case replaced in vehicle & the 2nd to catch on fire.manufacturer agreed to buy vehicle back from owner at price it was paid for.
Went to start the van and the ignition switch went out. Then 10 seconds later the instrument panel started to smoke and caught fire. The wiring harness and ignition switch had to be replaced.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses
- Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) to reduce the possibility of...
- Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds
- Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements
- Vehicles may have a disconnect of the ignition control module (ICM) connector or moisture buildup within...
- MIL lamp may turn on or flash intermittently may be due to the powertrain control module (PCM) incorrectly...
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. Heat generation in the wiring harness to the fuel pump/sender assembly can cause an electrical short. The vehicle could experience a loss of power and become immobilized and the fuel gauge may be erratic.
- Risk
- Heat damage, including melting or charring of the fuel pump and sender assembly wire harness and associated wiring harnesses can also result. The short circuit could also have the potential for a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused jumper harness in the fuel pump ground circuit that will be installed at the fuel pump inertia shut-off switch.
Recall number 99V028000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles were produced with a higher than specified electrical load through the accessory power feed circuit. The potential for contact between the b2 (battery), a2 (accessory), and p1 (proof) circuits can occur, creating a short circuit, allowing current to flow through the ground wire.
- Risk
- This can cause over heating and the potential for a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a jumper harness with a relay which will re-route and activate all a2 accessories through the relay.
Recall number 99V029000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1994 Ford Aerostar fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1994 Ford Aerostar?
14 of 257 owner complaints about the 1994 Ford Aerostar (5%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1991.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1994 Ford Aerostar?
There are 2 recalls and 6 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1994 Ford Aerostar
Airbag light 23Adaptive cruise 12No deployment 11Fuel pump 9Overheating 9ABS 8Fuel smell 6Headlights 6Tire blowout 6Seat belt 5
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