2000 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 223,000 miles · MI · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Engine, Wheels · NY · fire

I was driving slightly uphill in stop and go traffic, off exit 16 on the palisades parkway, due to a controlled stop set up by police to check inspection and registration. I saw smoke around my vehicle, so I looked at my instrument panel to see if my car was overheating. My instrument panel indicated nothing was wrong. When I looked up, an officer was motioning for me to pull over saying my car was on fire. I quickly pulled over, turned off the car, got in the back seat to get my 1 year old daughter out of her car seat, and exited the vehicle. My wife quickly got out of the passenger seat and exited the vehicle. We were told to get far away. Two police officers tried to put out the fire with extinguishers, but were unable to get the hood open. We were out of the car no more than 5 minutes when it was entirely engulfed in flames. Fire trucks arrived approximately 10 minutes later, by then the car was completely destroyed.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · NY · fire

2000 ford explorer went up in flames. Reported it right away to ford and was given a case number. They told us to take it to a ford dealer in the area. After months and months and months of getting no response we kept getting the run around then told that it had nothing to do with any defect. We recently got a recall letter from ford for the exact thing that happened to this car causing it to go on fire and ford will not respond. They say that the claim has been closed and that the original decision (which we never received) stands and they will not respond to us any longer. How can this be acceptable. See ford safety recall #05s28 it is exactly what happened to the explorer.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · NY · fire

My vehicle caught on fire while driving on the highway, my mechanic indicated that the fuel system, gasoline was defective. There was a recall in june 13, 2006 for my vehicle, I was not notified of this defect by ford company. It is now that it was brought to my attention that this was an occurring problem with my vehicle.

Filed Jun 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 190,000 miles · NC · fire

I came home from dropping my son off at his school social. I heard some sparking noise. Unplugged my cell phone charger. I didn't know what it was at first. 1 minute later I saw smoke and flames coming from my hood. I jumped out the car and called fire department. Guys from the neighborhood put fire out. It started around the brake master cylinder. The cord that attaches to it. Later found out it is control deactivation switch. I'm trying to see who's responsible for repairing the vehicle. Wasn't informed about recall.

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · WA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it burst into flames. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was called to extinguish the flames. The fire was caused by an electrical component. No one was injured during the fire. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The manufacturer stated the fire was not caused by any manufacturer design defect. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Engine · 173,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer. The contact stated that she parked the vehicle and as she proceeded to walk away, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The contact stated that the fire originated from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 173,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 167,000 miles · MN · fire

Vehicle engine compartment firewall wiring harness caught fire and partially melted shorting out electrical system while vehicle was was under steady load (3500 RPM) for less than 5 minutes pulling out a stump. Fire was under hood and was extinguished within seconds with water. Engine runs but dash warning lights periodically appear: engine, ABS brakes, gas cap, etc.

Filed Feb 21, 2012 · Engine · 179,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer. The contact was driving 35 MPH when smoke emitted from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed flames coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The police and the fire department were contacted and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 179,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2011 · Engine · PA · fire

This is to report a fire in a 2000 ford explorer: on friday, 25 nov 11, 5 adults (my husband, 2 sons, daughter-in law, and myself) and 2 dogs, left bethlehem pa for our family christmas trip in our 2000 ford explorer, pulling a utility trailer. The intent of the trip was to start at a christmas tree farm, cut down 3 christmas trees, haul them in the trailer and continue with several other christmas related traditional stops. My husband, drove approximately 45 minutes north to bissels christmas tree hill in lehighton, pa. He did not use cruise control because we were pulling the trailer. The trip was fine with absolutely no indications that anything was wrong with the vehicle. It also had not had any service done to it recently (a question frequently asked to us). He parked the vehicle along an embankment at the tree farm and we all were in various stages of getting out of the car with the dogs when someone nearby yelled to us that our car was on fire. She repeated it as we looked to see who she was addressing. We looked at our car and saw that under it, fire balls were hitting the ground from what appeared to be the center of the engine. My husband attempted to open the hood and smoke was immediately pouring out of the engine. We all quickly got away from the vehicle. My one son immediately called 911 and my other son ran nearby to try and find a fire extinguisher. The smoke quickly turned into a full blown fire. The complete front of the vehicle, along with the embankment nearby, was ablaze. The mahoning valley police came, then the fire captains, then 2 full fire trucks from lehighton and mahoning valley fire departments. They quickly extinguished everything, along with the vehicle we lost my purse, jackets, and other miscellaneous valuables that were on the floor of the front seat and in the glove compartment.

Filed Aug 29, 2011 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer. The contact stated that after parking her vehicle she heard a loud noise and then vehicle engulfed into flames. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised her that the failure was due to the electrical system. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified but have not followed up with the contact regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 202,000 miles · WI · fire

The 2000 ford explorer SUV began to slow down as the engine rpms increased. After pulling over and turning the ignition off, we noticed smoke coming from the hood. Underneath the car, flames were dripping down from the transmission. We used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames on the ground, and attempted to open the hood. After the hood was opened, large flames were observed in the engine compartment. The fire extinguisher was used until empty and had little impact. The car began to burn quickly and the flames spread from front to back. The emergency services arrived, extinguished the fire and collected witness statements. No one was hurt in the incident and the frame was towed via aaa to a nearby automotive shop.