2000 Ford Explorer: engine overheating

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 Nov 28, 2007 · Engine · 68,000 miles · FL

Vehicle started running very rough in drive but ok in park and smell of fuel or exhaust was in cabin. Took vehicle to dealership immediately. Dealership said valve was burned out and this only happens if vehicle has overheated. This vehicle has never overheated and even acknowledged a full and clean coolant level present. Dealership wants $1,800 to fix engine which only has 68,000 miles on it.

Filed Mar 17, 2004 · Engine · 42,400 miles · NY

Coolant leaked into the oil. *ph the consumer was told the intake manifold failed which caused the coolant to leak. The entire engine had to be replaced.

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 32,000 miles · NY

Vehicle overheated/ thermostat, rear wiper motor stopped working, check engine light stays on continually, belt squeals on rainy days, radio comes on by itself, tires to be replaced, lived at same address since vehicle purchase and not even a notice for recall on tires.

Filed Jun 3, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

The firestone tires were replaced with goodyear tires due to humming noises and recall#00t005000. The engine made noise, vibrated, overheated and would not respond upon acceleration. The vehicles faulty shocks caused noise when driving over bumps in the road, vibration and noise in the front end. The ABS warning light illuminated. The drivers side window was off track, would not go up all the way and went up unevenly. The starter became stuck made scraping sounds. The consumer requested a full refund of the purchase price in accordance to the lemon law. *mr *scc

Filed Jan 15, 2003 · Seats · 4,300 miles · CA

While driving the consumer noticed that the driver side heated seat wire was overheating and eventually burned, the dealer is aware of the problem. Please provide any additional information. Nlm