1997 Ford F-250: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · OK

After several inches of rain my 1997 ford f250 light duty began trying to start while parked in the driveway. The only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery cable. The battery cable was red hot and smoking. Luckily my neighbor noticed or it would have caught fire. This is the second occurrence of this problem for this vehicle. Both followed heavy rains. The first occurrence included spontaneous starting, interior lights coming on, left side window failure, speedometer failure, and continued operation of fan, windows and radio with ignition off. Researching this issue has made me aware that this is a common problem due to water leaking through the windshield and seeping into the generic electronic module and fuse box causing multiple symptoms including the ones stated above.

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-250. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked. The vehicle was destroyed. As of september 11, 2007, the dealer or manufacturer had not inspected the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed Mar 25, 2007 · Engine · 27,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

1997 ford f25. This was the second spark plug to blow out of head. First repair cost $450.00, this time it cost me my truck, 2 cameras, GPS, laptop computer and several other items as the truck cought on fire when spark plug hit fuel inection rail an started a fuel fire that burnt the truck to ground. Total loss. Burned my hands trying to save items in cab. Had a fire extinguisher, but high pressure fuel lines sprayed fire to fast. My girl friend, her dog, and I had 30 seconds to get out. In 2 minutes the cab was engulfed in flames. I will be dismantling this engine as I am a mechanic and machinist and plan to prove there were not enough threads securing spark plugs in thee alumin um heads. There were standards outlined for machining threads.

Filed Dec 14, 2006 · Acceleration, Engine · 139,000 miles · MO · fire

Dt*: the contact stated while parked and off, the vehicle caught on fire. There were no warnings prior to the incident. The insurance agency could not find the cause of the fire.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Acceleration · OK · fire

1997 f-250 caught on fire. *ts the consumer was told his vehicle was not included in any recalls.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Electrical · ND · fire

Dt: consumer wanted his switch on front of vehicle fixed. He has been told that the plastic melted and allowed the brake fluid to come out and catch on fire. Consumer said that he knew that 2000 and 2001 year models have been recalled, and consumer wanted his vehicle to be included in this recall.

Filed May 6, 2005 · Electrical · 128,465 miles · OR · fire

While driving 20 MPH driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Driver pulled over and opened the hood. Suddenly, vehicle caught on fire. Driver was able to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed home. *ak the consumer had to unplug the wires connected to the brake master cylinder to stop the fire. Now the vehicle has no automatic cruise control. The consumer was told by local ford service department that the fire was probably caused by the cruise control switch. The manufacture has a recall on f150 pickups but not the f250. The problem has not been repaired and the wires have been left unplugged for now. *bf

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Electrical · NE · fire

Vehicle was parked for two hours when it caught on fire on its own. The fire department extinguished the fire. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time.

Filed Feb 2, 2005 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · IN · fire

While parked in the garage vehicle caught on fire. The cause had yet to been determined. Vehicle was considered a total loss.

Filed Jan 24, 2005 · Electrical · 100,011 miles · FL · fire

While parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught on fire, damaging fuse boxes and wiring harness. Estimated damage $3.000. No injuries reported.. *jb.......

Filed Dec 17, 2004 · Brakes · LA · fire

Whiel the vehicle was parked for a few days, a mechanic noticed smoke coming from under the truck. He opened the hood and the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The flames were coming from the master cylinder. As the brake fluid resevoir melted brake fluid it made the fire bigger. No problems with the vehicle prior to the fire. No after market equipment. Photos and investigation report mailed to bruce york.

Filed Dec 16, 2004 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · CA · fire

The vehicle was parked for 2 days and a fire was started in the engine compartment. The horn was heard blowing when the consumer noticed that the vehicle was on fire. Two months prior to the fire, the cruise control stopped working. There were no after market equipment. There was travel trailer wiring that was on the back of the truck. The vehicle was insured by unitrin 800‑777‑4342 jl rausin.