Ford E-350 fire or smoke problems

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owned a 2005 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH he smelled a burning odor and saw that the vehicle was trailing a large white cloud. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and as soon as he exited the vehicle it had become engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the flames came from under the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle burned, the contact stated the fire department was not able to locate his vehicle and later the police had called him and left a voice message advising him that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11E047000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2022 · Fuel system · TN · crash · fire

On April 22, 2022 we were driving east on Hwy 100 in Henderson, TN. We had stopped to make a left-hand turn. A vehicle claimed his brakes went out and hit us from behind going full-speed. Our driver could see he was not stopping and tried to leave the roadway. A vehicle was traveling west (coming towards us) so he couldn't turn to the left. He stated to pull off the roadway into the grass embankment, but didn't get of the road before being struck. My concern is this: our vehicle (cutaway with wheelchair lift added via state contract by Mid-south Bus in Murfreesboro, TN) immediately caught fire and burned to the ground within minutes. If there had been a wheelchair bound passenger tied down in the back of this vehicle, there would've been no way the driver could've got him/her off before being engulfed in flames. The fuel tank is located about 2.5' from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle has a metal (not fiberglass or plastic) bumper. We have lots of these vehicles. My concern is "what if this happens again an there is a passenger in that wheelchair station?"

Filed Sep 15, 2018 · 285,000 miles · IN · fire

Driving down the road, started smelling gas, so I pulled over the check why I smelled gas and as soon asi opens the hood, the van burst into flames from under the hood. It fully engulfed the van in about 3 to 4 minutes and is a total loss. This happened on the highway and had only been driving for 15 minutes. Unknown what actually caused the fire.

Filed Dec 17, 2014 · Lights · 35,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford e350. The contact stated that while parked, the rear driver side tail light caught fire. The fire extinguished independently. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Acceleration · 200,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 for e-350. The contact stated that the van was idle when he noticed smoke coming from the instrument panel and vents. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames. A fire report was not filed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2013 · Engine · 83,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. Both technicians advised the contact that the egr cooler and the head gasket would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2011 · Electrical · MD · fire

2003 ford cutaway van while driving vehicle driver noticed smelled a burning smell and saw smoke coming from under the center of dash. Pulled vehicle over and got out of vehicle. Smoke continued and flames began to consume vehicle until entire vehicle was on fire. We have experienced many HVAC switch failures(melting of switch and or harness connector) and notice very hot wires to the switch at times. Fleet contains 85 ford e350 vehicles and this switch has been a common failure.

Filed Sep 20, 2011 · Engine, Tires · CO · fire

I parked my f 350 diesel in front of my house for the night. Next morning ,before 6 a.m., I woke to the noises outside:cracking, popping, and explosions. The front of my truck was on fire. It was coming around all sides of the hood and around the front wheel area,also through the dash and steering area. I called the fire dept. And started putting the fire out using the garden hose. Four more explosions happened,and two front tires exploded as well. I fought the flames until fire trucks set up and took over. They put it out just in time to save $ 4,000 cash and ammo inside the cab.

Filed Dec 21, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 59,500 miles · FL · fire

1999 ford e350 caught fire and burned to a total loss while sitting cold in my driveway. I bought the vehicle used on nov 8, 2010. Dec 12, 2010 I drove about 3 miles to the grocery around 20:30; I returned home and parked the vehicle in my driveway about 20:45. About 22:15 a passing car observed flames coming from the front of the vehicle and flaring to contact my house. The witness alerted me at my door. I immediately grabbed the garden hose and attempted to spray water into the front grill, left side to put out the fire. I could not see where the actual fire was as the hood was closed, I sprayed where the flames exited the grill. The wind was blowing about 20 MPH and I could not extinguish the flames. The vehicle was facing north, the wind blowing from west to east. The flames began to shoot out from the passenger wheel well in a horizontal streak as the wind stoked the fire. Neighbors called 911 while I diverted the water spray from the vehicle to the house and garage since the van was parked within 2 feet of the garage door and the wind now had flames shooting 8-12' high and brushing the wood garage door. The firemen arrived, knocked the vehicle hood off with a tool and sprayed the engine compartment to extinguish the fire. Due to the wind, the van was completely fire gutted and a total loss. The fire inspector advised me of the ford cruise control recall and said he could find no other possible cause for the fire in the engine compartment as there were no leaks of any kind and no recent repairs in the engine compartment. Local ford dealers have declined to tell me if my VIN had warranty work to repair the switch.

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Engine · 37,414 miles · IL · fire

My v10 ford e-350 motor had a head failure and a spark plug blew out while driving. A fire started in the engine compartment and the explosion sound created a panic and startled response that almost lead to a vehicle crash. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility and they were familiar with the problem. They work on fleet vehicles regularly and they stated they have seen this problem many times before. The aluminum head of the engine was too weak to hold on to the spark plug and that lead to the explosion, fire, and damage. The shop informed me that this could very likely happen again because of the defective design of the engine and if I am traveling with my family I could be left stranded, possible a very dangerous part of the highway while driving steep or dangerous roads. If the vehicle catches on fire again it could explode if the gas line ignites. This one cylinder cost $800 to fix but now I have 9 other ones to worry about. I was not able to find a current recall but there will have to be one issued to ensure the safety of any american driving a ford vehicle with this engine. After researching the internet I have found literally thousands of different people stating similar scenarios.