1992 Ford Crown Victoria: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Brakes · 33,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford crown victoria. When the contact places her vehicle in drive and depresses the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerates to 40 MPH and the engine rpms increase. She must apply the brakes with both feet in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. Afterwards, she smells the scent of burning plastic. The mechanic stated that the failure could be caused by the brake pressure switch. He informed the contact that brake fluid may be flowing to the switch and causing the heat to activate. This causes the vehicle to accelerate and could result in a fire. The contact also stated that he loses brake power occasionally, even though brake fluid is present. He also noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, which is causing the transmission to fail. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 33,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2006 · Acceleration · 125,000 miles · CA · fire

I parked my 1992 ford crown victoria on the street while I was at my home for 45 minutes. I decided to leave to go somewhere else. When I got to my car, I smelled burning and saw wisps of smoke coming from underneath my engine area. I quickly opened my driver's side door and smelled smoke and popped the hood. Inside, there was a small fire (grapefruit size) in front of the steering column. I ran into the house and got some water and doused the flames. I was very lucky, because I seem to have caught the fire within a few minutes of when it started. I took the car into my local ford dealership, and the problem was the cruise control deactivation switch. They replaced the cruise control switch and a wiring harness that had burned (at my expense). They informed me that the problem was fixed. I called ford to discuss this issue, and they informed me that my car was under recall back in 1999, and the problem was fixed on 7/7/1999 when my dad owned the car. This was actually even more concerning to me, because the replacement switch, which supposedly fixed the original spontaneous combustion problem, seems to be defective as well!! So my car is now on its second "fixed" cruise control switch. I am also concerned from my discussion with the federal safety agency representative. He said that no recalls can be issued for vehicles that are over 10 years old. He then told me that my complaint would not do anything since my car was over 10 years old. I don't expect to be reimbursed from my experience with the fire, however, this is disturbing to me knowing that my complaint could be dismissed out of hand. I want to make sure that others don't have this same problem. Especially when dealing with a car setting itself on fire when it is not running. This complaint should be thoroughly evaluated before dismissing it. If the car had been parked in my garage while I slept, it could have easily burned down the house, or killed someone.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · TX · fire

While driving 60 MPH the brake sensor light came on and the vehicle began smoking without warning. When the consumer pulled off the road he noticed that flames were coming from the front end. As a result the vehicle was considered a total loss. *nm the fire department indicated it was a electrical fire.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Acceleration · MD · fire

Consumer states that he had the very same problem as the recall states for the ford f150 trucks. Consumer vehicle caught on fire. However, this happened in 1992.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Brakes · NY · fire

This car had continued brake defects from 03/29/01 (our first fire) until the last fire. We spent nearly $4,000 on brakes, each time being told the problem was fixed. Finally, after the last fire in fremont, ny, 3 days after the last repair bill of nearly $800 for brakes, the company found a statement from ford saying this particular make could have a bad booster (from the factory), which would not slow the car properly after 60 MPH and cause excessive wear and brake failure. We were the first people to drive this car over 60 MPH; the two former owners were family members who did good to drive it 50 MPH. The dealer used the following to fix the car: www.fordtechservice.dealer connection.com/tpscontent/usen14/tn1902.htm. He told my husband ford often doesn't issue recalls until someone has trouble with a part. Ford knew this existed; it is dated 08/09/1992. We feel ford should be made to answer why they did not issue a recall that caused not one, but two fires; the last one on record with fremont, ny police and fire trucks, who responded, and which could have been a lot worse., not to mention refund some of our money. If a recall had been issued, the problem would have been solved. No one else should have to spend $4,000 on brakes in 50,000 miles, and have them catch on fire three days after a very expensive repair job. All other major car makers issue recalls before owners have problems, if they know it. Why doesn't ford? Why don't you make them do that?

Filed Feb 20, 2001 · Electrical · KY · fire

Vehicle caught on fire due to a defective speed control deactivation switch and connector shell which relates to recall 99v124, however ford found no evidence of a manufacturing or design defect and denied any liability for the claim. (attorney for client) *slc referenced in ea02-025

Filed Dec 7, 2000 · Engine · OH · fire

While driving, the consumer noticed the engine temperature light came on, the consumer pulled off to the side of the road and saw smoke from under the hood, a few seconds later the engine compartment was on fire, possible engine failure resulting in fire. (ohio traffic crash report)

Filed May 2, 2000 · Acceleration · GA · fire

Received recall notice99v124000. Contacted dealership for an appointment. Took vehicle to dealer. Suppose to have repaired cruise control back in september. Vehicle parked in garage and caught on fire. Fire department put flames out. Indicated electrical short of cruise control switch was the problem.*ak referenced in ea02-025

Filed Mar 31, 1999 · Engine · TX · fire

The car was parked inside our garage only for a few minutes when it caught fire and burned our house down.

Filed Mar 20, 1998 · Steering · TX · fire

Steering: vehicle parked in garage for approximately 15minutes. Horn started honking and opened the door to garage and the car was in flames. Car was totaled and house was also. Arson investigator report stated that the fire started in the power steering pump area when power steering fluid wa sapplied to a hot exhaust manifold, thereby starting a fire.

Filed Jun 3, 1996 · Seats · PA · fire

Electrical short, driver's power seat, cauisng the vehicle to catch on fire under the seat

Filed Apr 22, 1996 · Electrical · IA

While driving noticed smoke coming from the ignition area.