1995 Ford Escort: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 29, 2005 · Electrical · TX · fire

Dt: the contact owns a 1995 ford escort. She stated that vehicle caught on fire. She put the key into the ignition, and when she done this it exploded and caught on fire. Everything got jammed up after this, even the steering wheel. The tow truck driver stated that he had a hard time towing the vehicle because of this problem. The contact called two ford dealership and told them that this was not a problem.

Filed Apr 27, 2005 · Electrical · PW · fire

While standing idle for more than three hours vehicle caught on fire, with the dashboard and engine compartment fully engulfed. Although exact cause of malfunction has yet to be determined, this vehicle should never have just caught on fire.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Fuel system · PA

We are retired and have a 95 ford escort station wagon, garage kept. In august of 2003 we noticed a very strong odor of gasoline in our garage, which is part of the basement. It was so strong at times I did not use the electric door opener. I checked many times and could not find the cause. About this time I also noticed I was not getting as good as gas mileage as I used to. On thankgiving day, I went to my local gas station, and filled the tank as I always do. I then went inside to get a news paper. When I came out I noticed a large wet spot under the middle of the car, maybe about 3 ft in dia. I thought someone spilled something there. I went home and I started to think about it. I went back down to the garage, started to check the tank, and found the fuel filler pipe rusted out near the top. 1.5 inch by about 8 inch. So when I filled the tank, the fuel nozzle was also putting fuel out the rotted out area, which then ran down a plastic shield and ran on the ground, where you would not see it if you just fueled the car. I took it to a ford dealer and told him I would like to have a ford district rep. Look at it. The service rep hardly looked up and said the car is out of warranty. I told him there is something wrong when the car has the orginal exhaust system, but the filler pipe rusted out. I had them replace it. They charged me for two hours of labor, when they only had the car for one hour, and only spent 45 minutes working on the job. When I got home I checked the job and found they only put two of the three fastners to hold the shield on. We transport twin grandchildren to school and other places in this car, and one of them is handycapped. The car could have caught on fire, or our home blow up. I have the removed pipe, and I told them it was defective in the welding prosses. No one cared. I checked the new pipe on 3-6-04, three months after it was installed, and the new pipe is starting to rust on each side of the weld seam.

Filed Oct 7, 2003 · Electrical · AZ · fire

Consumer stated while driving 20-25 MPH heard a puff, looked down, and saw a flam coming out from under vehicle. He got out, and started to pull as much as he could out of the vehicle when his friend came along, who was driving a water truck, and they together put the flames out. Consumer had not received a recall notice on this vehicle because he was not the original owner.

Filed Apr 11, 2002 · Suspension · OH

While backing out of driveway, left front tire blewout. A piece of coil spring had punctured tire. Consumer saw smoke coming from tire.*ak

Filed Mar 4, 2002 · Electrical · MO · fire

While parked vehicle caught on fire. Had to contact dealer. Please add VIN.

Filed Nov 14, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · IN · fire

Consumer has replaced ignition switch 3 times within 5 years. Vehicle has caught on fire once from ignition, the day after the starter had been replaced. Starter, starter solenoid, ignition switch(which had melted to the switch), and o2 sensor have been replaced, consumer states that the problem started when trying to start vehicle with the engine being cold, it would crank several times, but never start until turning key off and back on. Vehicle experienced problems with engine light becoming illuminated, dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty fuel pump, however the engine light still comes on occasionally. Pcv valve was also replaced.

Filed May 1, 1998 · MA · fire

While driving the vehicle ,the radio caught fire. Vehicle is still working.

Filed Aug 26, 1997 · Engine · PA

Motor had a continual burning smell to it and one day the consumer turned the car on and heard noises in the motor. After taking it into the dealership, the owner found out motor had failed.

Filed May 28, 1997 · Electrical · WV · fire

Electrical ignition switch: driving down highway approximately 40mph, when noticed smoke coming from the dash of the vehicle. Drove the vehicle to house, jumped out of the vehicle and ran for a fire hose. By then the vehicle was engaged in flames. Fire dept arrived and put the fire out and said the cause of the fire was electrical, possibly the ignition switch.

Filed Oct 8, 1996 · Electrical · NC · fire

After parking for several hours, found vehicle interior engulfed in flames, fire dept determined fire originated underneath floor gear shift console fire, possible electrical short.

Filed Jun 19, 1996 · Electrical · NJ · fire

The car cut itself on, causing the car to catch on fire in the garage. (ingition) please give more description.