1997 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Engine · 23,000 miles · TN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked in his driveway. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the hydraulic fluid was leaking due to the faulty cruise control switch causing the fire. The contact mentioned that the hydraulic fluid leaked out when it gets warm even when the vehicle not running. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Electrical · 220,000 miles · NC · fire

On december 23rd, 2016 I was coming home from work around 6:00 pm. My car was a 1997 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. I had just gotten off of the highway and turned onto my road when I began to smell smoke, so, I pulled off into an empty parking lot beside a walking trail. I could tell that it was an electrical fire, but, it took me quite a while to figure out where it was coming from. I checked under the hood - but nothing seemed to be wrong there. Then, I got back into the car and the smoke kept getting heavier. I began feeling around for something that was hot. I checked the dash, the vents, the steering wheel, the seats - almost everything before I checked the center computer console. In the middle of my car - directly under the radio - there is a computer module that displays the gas mileage, oil status, and if there is a problem with the lights on the car. The module had recently started displaying a "check headlamps" message. Well - I had done so and they were working fine - so I did not think anything of it. Turns out that the fire had started under the center computer module. I guess that the car should have blown a fuse but instead - started a fire. I tried to rip the cover and the console up - but it was screwed down and I had no luck. At that point, the flames started to spread very quickly and the entire car went up in flames in a matter of minutes. I called 911 and got as far away as I could with my belongings. The fire truck and fire fighters came within five minutes or so and put out the fire before it reached the gas tank. The bottom half of the car remained untouched, however, the interior was completely destroyed. The seats had burnt off and the steering wheel was completely gone. I'm still in my teenage years - so I did not know how to deal with this situation properly. I am just glad I am alive and that I was able to get out of the car in time.

Filed Jun 28, 2013 · Electrical · 69,600 miles · MI · fire

Approx. 2am, the vehicle caught on fire. Fire dept. Report confirmed electrical fire.

Filed Mar 14, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · NJ · fire

I have no explanation for the fire, the car was parked in my driveway. It had been driven about a block from my home and then it was returned to the driveway. My uncle son sitting in the living room when they heard the car alarm and looked out of the window to see clouds of black smoke coming from the truck. My son attempted to put the fire out but it was to intense, my son called 911. This would have killed someone if they had been in the car. Photos are available. Fire department could not say what caused this fire. The tires even melted. All severe damage was to the front end. The car had not been in any kind of accident, there is no explanation for this fire. Please contact me for photos. Not sure what to do but I need to make sure no families.

Filed Mar 27, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 158,143 miles · TX · fire

About a mile from an intersection I noticed the check engine light turned on. Approaching the traffic light my brake pedal had lost pressure and went to the floor. I had to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. I noticed some smoke coming from the driver side of the hood but thought it might be from the old pickup truck next to me. The light turned green and the vehicle "sputtered" suffering a loss of horse power but I was able to drive the car about 150 yards and coasted into a gas station where I parked at the far end away from the pumps. At this time I noticed more smoke and flames coming from the driver side of the hood so I went inside to ask for a fire extinguisher but the cashier said he had none. I then asked to him dial 911 because my vehicle was on fire. I went back to my vehicle and removed some paperwork from the seat and waited for help to arrive. I just had the vehicle serviced by covert ford on march 16, 2011 for the factory recall of the speed control deactivation switch, (brake pressure switch) which is what I believe cause the fire. I believe that when I had to pump my brakes to stop the vehicle the brake fluid was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. According to the fire officials at the scene there was no way to determine the point of origin of the fire but the damaged area is right below the brake master cylinder. (I have pictures and video). Thank god there was no other damage to property or lives. I only had liability coverage so I signed the title over to the tow truck driver and lost my transportation. I bought the vehicle on april 19, 1999, took care of it for almost 12 years without incident and a week after having it serviced for a fire safety issue, it caught fire and burned. I put about 100 miles on it after it was serviced by the dealer before the fire began.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Fuel system · 234,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when he was informed that a fire had erupted from under the vehicle. The contact was able to move the vehicle off the roadway and exit the vehicle just as it burst into flames. The police arrived to assist and a police report was available. The fire was extinguished and the vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to take pictures of the failure and damages. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was under recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 98v060000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings), which could possibly have been the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 234,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · TN · fire · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. While driving on october 3, 2008 without warning the front end of the vehicle caught fire. The driver and passenger were able to exit the vehicle. The passenger sustained injuries to the arm and shoulder. The manufacturers recall letter 00v422000, vehicle speed control was received in november 2009. Report 378123209 was filed with the manufacturer; however, the failure could not be investigated, because the vehicle was destroyed. The sumner county sheriff report number was 9386782. The failure and the current mileages were 130,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2010 · Engine · 190,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately between 35-40 MPH when he smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was immediately taken to a local repair facility. While exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames erupting from under the hood. There was no prior warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The cause of failure had not been determined at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Tires · WI · fire

1997 ford explorer, vehicle caught fire. *bf the right front tire blew out. The driver puller over and noticed the tire had caught fire. The consumer was unable to put out the fire and eventually the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. Ohio traffic report # 10-0298-89.

Filed May 5, 2008 · Brakes · 180,000 miles · GA · fire

My wife was driving our 1997 ford explorer when she saw white smoke come from under the hood. She was parked in mcdonald's parking lot. She called me telling me there was smoke coming from under the hood. I asked her if there was liquid running from the car and she said yes. It was clear and on the drives side. The next thing I heard was the truck was on fire. When I got to the body shop to see what the damages were I found the master cylinder completely melted away and the wire harness burnt. The vehicle is a total loss.

Filed Apr 4, 2008 · Electrical · 108,000 miles · NY · fire

Today is the first time since I have owned the truck as I was driving it and started right back up, and about 6 hours later my neighbor noticed my truck on fire. Flames were coming from behind the left front wheel well. My mechanic said looks like e-brake cable started to weld it self and caught the body mount on fire. E-brake cable melted plastic housing inside the truck.

Filed Jan 30, 2008 · Acceleration · 160,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. While driving 35 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from the under the hood. In addition, flames erupted from the engine compartment after he opened the hood. The dealer stated that the vehicle speed control switch caused the fire. There is a recall for the vehicle speed control (the federal safety agency campaign id 07v336000) however the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. As of january 30, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 160,000. Updated 02-19-08 *bf updated 02/19/08