2011 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · LA · fire

The contact owned a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the vehicle caught fire. The contact was in her residence, and a neighbor knocked on her door, making her aware that the vehicle had caught fire. The fire has been extinguished by the local fire department. The fire department indicated that the failure may have occurred due to a wiring malfunction in the vehicle. A police report was not filed, but a fire report was filed and was unavailable. There were no injuries reported. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · WI · crash

I had a recall on my 2011 Ford explorer for toe Links and bushings. Since ever since this has been going on I have gone through 38 tires in the rear in the past two years alone no shop will fix my car because the camber is so out of whack I have to have the whole rear suspension redone again when it should have been fixed the first time with the recall link Ford spent 5 minutes going through my car and said that my car didn't qualify for any recall because my car is a front wheel drive and not an all-wheel drive so they did not do the recall now after bringing it to another shop I have the estimate of what it would cost to fix that needs to be done it is an emergency because when I hit a pothole I go in the ditch my friend and his smashed because I can't control my car my steering freezes while driving down the highway and this all has something to do with the rear suspension five Star automotive wrote down everything that needs to be replaced this is a hazard to be on the road, if I could afford another car I would have one I keep sinking money into this one, because of Link Ford and their mistake me and my car should not have to suffer for it or anyone else on the road because this is a hazard my car is going to kill someone if I would have had the recall replaced, I wouldn't have had to spend an additional $1,400 on parts and labor that never even got put in because they can't put them in until this is repaired I can't even get a front end alignment because of this the entire rear suspension is sagging to the ground and my tires tilt in about 42°. I have the printout from both Link Ford in mining and 5 star automotive in Superior WI because of the 22 times I've gone in the ditch due to my suspension and steering locking up I have a short in the ground wire somewhere that is now fried my ECU so when I put it in a $90 boot every time it lights on fire within 30 seconds I'm in closing that picture as well of the one I just put in little over an hour ago.

Filed Sep 18, 2018 · Engine · 77,802 miles · NJ

I was driving down the highway then all of the sudden the truck overheated at 65 MPH I got off at the next exit and stop the truck next thing I notice is smoke coming from the hood then I call a tow truck to go to a local shop now the mechanic say I need a new engine,I dont have the money to pay for a new engine and the labor the truck is not even pay off yet, unbelievable, now that I read up on this this happen to many other people this is a common problem that hasn't been recall yet smh

Filed Oct 5, 2016 · 85,000 miles · GA

Exhaust/burning smell coming through HVAC vents under hard acceleration. Has been a constant problem since owning the vehicle.

Filed Aug 3, 2016 · 80,000 miles · IA

Last night I had done my first full throttle application ever. Subsequently I received this strong smell, so strong that I could barely breathe in the cabin. It smelled as if the vehicle was on fire. I slowed way down to make sure there were no flames anywhere. Come to find out through internet research, it was carbon monoxide, given the strength of it I'm presuming a significantly unsafe level.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Engine · 56,000 miles · TN

Bad burning smell under acceleration to highway speed coming from air vents. Oil was found in the air filter housing and piping near mass air flow sensor.

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Brakes · 72,050 miles · IL · fire

During traffic in hot weather on highway there is squealing sound coming from front drivers side of vehicle and smoke coming from rear driver tire after exiting highway to check the noise. After exiting highway I felt all 4 metal wheels and driver's side rear was extremely hot and other wheels were warm to the touch. I had the exact same conditions on passenger rear brakes last summer at ~50,000 miles, and the dealership replaced rear passenger caliper immediately. This time they claim are not able to reproduce the seizing of caliper after 3 mile test drive and calipers appeared to be in working condition. I argued that the problem may occur during long distance highway travel and may not happen on short test drive. Dealership argued that it is ford policy not to perform warranty repairs/replacement work when they are unable to reproduce problems described by customer. I am very upset that I have to worry about my car starting on fire every time I drive on highway. 2011 ford explorer xlt 3.5l v6 tivct. Northwest chicago il.