1997 Ford Crown Victoria: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Steering · 42,000 miles · MA · crash · fire

Driving east on allen street in springfield massachusetts steering control locked up resulting in a crash with a gas station pump police crash report id 15-3725-AC car was totalled out when it caught fire no noise was heard seconds before crash. I have noticed that there was a recall on the replacement parts but wonder if the oem parts could fail resulting in crash.

Filed Apr 22, 2008 · Acceleration · 120,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford crown victoria. The vehicle caught fire while parked and was destroyed. A police report was filed. The fire is related to the recall for the vehicle speed control. The contact received the recall notice after the fire occurred. The vehicle had an intercepting motor and was towed. The VIN was not legible due to the fire. The engine size and recall number were unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2008 · Acceleration · 98,000 miles · DC · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford crown victoria. The contact's vehicle caught fire. A local mechanic repaired the heater core and manifold, but now there is an oil leak. The contact received a recall notice stating that the speed control could cause a fire. The dealer stated that because the repairs were made by an unauthorized mechanic, the contact would not be reimbursed for the repairs. The failure mileage was 128,705 and current mileage was 98,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · NC · fire

1997 ford crown victoria caught fire. Customer states that car was checked by the dealer for the defective part for the recall regarding the speed control deactivation switch and the mechanic told him everything was fine. Fire department stated the fire started in the engine compartment. *kb according to the report, the fire was determined to be electrical.

Filed Sep 13, 2007 · Engine · 100,000 miles · AL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford crown victoria. While driving 50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vents. She pulled over and exited the vehicle before it caught fire. The vehicle did not have insurance and was taken to the junk yard. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · TX · fire

Tl*the contact's son owns a 1997 ford crown victoria. The vehicle caught on fire under the hood while parked. The owner of the vehicle noticed smoke filling up inside of the vehicle, then lifted the hood and flames began to rise. The wires to the master cylinder and brakes were damaged. The contact notified ford and they stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle and that it was out of warranty. However, there were recalls for trucks of that line. The vehicle is currently at the ford dealer. The power train and mileage information were unknown.

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Acceleration, Lights · 136,000 miles · IL · fire

At 1:15 a.m. On december 27, 2006, I drove my 1997 crown victoria for aproximatly 20 miles and parked in my driveway. About an hour and thirty minutes later, I was awaken by a popping sound and the dog barking. I looked out the window to find the car's engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. I then called 911 and ran out to try to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. The heat from the fire burned through the hood on the drivers side in the area of the braking systems master cilinder, then ignited the drivers side tire and all plastic components rendering the hose inefective. By the time the fire truck arrived, the flames had spread to the passenger side of the car and a massive plastic / rubber fire ensued.the firemen doused it with water for about fifteen minutes then used a foaming agent to extinguish what was left of the vehicle. After inspecting the remains, it was obvious that the fire started in the engine compartment because the interior of the car was mostly intact. I had owned this vehicle for a number of years and had it maintained on a regular basis. The only major repair performed on the car was replacing a defective intake manifold (that too should have been recalled, due to the high number of incidents involving that perticular manifold design). After further research into the cause of this fire, I discovered that this was not an isolated incident. It would seem that this is a common problem in several models made by the ford motor company. To research this problem go to www.vehicle-injuries.com and look under "ford expedition cruise control switch fires".

Filed Dec 19, 2006 · Engine · 87,419 miles · KS

Tl* - the contact states that there was a recall on his 1997 crown victoria. The contact said that 8:20 am on 12/19/06 while attempting to pass another vehicle when he notice a large trail of steam and smoke coming from the rear of his vehicle. The contact pulled to side of road and steam and smoke stopped, at which time he opened hood of vehicle and noticed coolant running on top of the engine. Contact called the ford dealership of kansas. The ford dealership informed contact that the intake radiator had cracked. The representative then asked questions regarding the problem and told him that there was a recall on the intake fuel manifold but, that the recall had expired in 2004. The representative also told the contact that the intake had to have a crack in it in order for them to have repairs done.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Engine · 67,000 miles · IL

I was driving down the highway when suddenly the passenger compartment began to fill with a white smoke and smoke came from under the hood of my car. I was able to get off the road and let the car cool off. I had the vehicle repaired at a ford dealership to the cost of $1100 for a cracked intake manifold which I was told was a common problem that ford was aware of and would only pay for the repair if my car was a taxi cab or a police car!!!!!

Filed Oct 27, 2002 · Engine · CA

Driving on higway at 65 MPH began to smell a burning odor, after pulling over to a safe location smoke came from under hood. When hood was opened for inspection it emitted a noxious odor and it was spraying hot engine coolant from the top of the engine. After engine cooled down coolant was added and car was driven a short distance home. Vehicle was towed into the dealer expecting the repair to be covered by warranty either by the recall that is out (apparently currently only applies to police and taxis) or as listed in the owners manual for california emissions components defects. The dealer said this was not covered either way. A call to ford customer relations (edith) initiated a claim. Edith said she would contact the dealer for assistance but my vehicle was not recalled. The dealer representative was recontacted and refused to offer any assistance whatsover. This issue is well established as the federal safety agency has the bulletins listed and there a numerous complaints documented. Some people could drive their vehicle unknowingly with this defect which could result in fire or burning from escaping steam. Ford motor company must reimburse me and others who have had expenses to repair their problem of a poor original design. The new part has been updated with an aluminum coolant crossover instead of plastic. Dt

Filed Sep 17, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · FL · fire

While driving vehicle caught on fire from plastic manifold, and engine shut down.. Dealer has been notified. Any additional information feel free to add.

Filed Mar 28, 2002 · Brakes, Fuel system · AZ

Consumer state while traveling 60 MPH notice anti freeze burning smell inside vehicle. Consumer stopped a service station and notice anti freeze all over engine. Vehicle was service by technician and replace intake manifold. Nlm heater hose leaking coolant, also the brake lines were repaired. *yh referenced in rq03-004