The customer purchased a vehicle from Metro Motors on May 8, 2026, after visiting the dealership three times and speaking with multiple sales representatives. During each visit, the customer specifically stated that the vehicle would be used to tow a trailer and repeatedly asked whether it was safe and suitable for towing. The sales staff consistently represented that the vehicle was in good working condition, had low mileage, showed no significant issues on the Carfax report, and would be an excellent vehicle for towing. The customer was discouraged from test driving the vehicle because it was low on fuel, and sales staff stated that the only reason it had not sold was the snowplow attached to the front. Immediately after taking possession of the vehicle on May 8, the customer experienced a serious issue with the electronic parking brake repeatedly engaging while driving. The customer contacted Metro Motors on the next business day and was instructed by the manager, Nate, to bring the vehicle back. Metro Motors later determined that the parking brake cable was broken and that the brakes were in poor condition. After discussions, the dealership agreed to perform repairs if the customer paid for the parts. After the repairs were completed, the customer noticed smoke coming from the wheels and immediately returned the vehicle to Metro Motors. The dealership retained the vehicle but failed to communicate the nature of the problem or any repair costs until notifying the customer that the vehicle was ready for pickup on June 6, 2026. Before taking possession of the vehicle again, the customer arranged for an independent mechanic to inspect it. Although the dealership manager was initially hesitant to allow the inspection, he ultimately permitted it. The mechanic determined that the vehicle's frame was broken and that it was unsafe to operate, particularly for towing, which was the purpose repeatedly disclosed to Metro Motors before purchase.
Ford F-250 fire or smoke problems
161 of the 4,361 owner complaints about the Ford F-250 describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 161
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 121,000
By model year
Often reported together
Adaptive cruise 23Overheating 4Loss of power 3Engine failure 3Brake failure 3Wipers 2Water leak 2Tire blowout 2
What owners say
The contact owned a 2003 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while her husband was driving home, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated while he was stopped at a traffic signal, he smelled a burning plastic smell. The contact observed that smoke was being emitted from under the vehicle's front end. The contact pulled off the road and parked. As he exited the vehicle, he observed that flames were shooting from under the vehicle. The contact stated that in a few minutes, the flames had engulfed the engine compartment. The fire department was called, and the police had also arrived. The fire was extinguished using water. The police did not filed a report. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed hauling a trailer, the exhaust manifold dropped raw fuel into the exhaust and it caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The exhaust filter over maximum limit message was displayed. There were no reported injuries, crash , police report or air bag deployment. The fire department was on the scene. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that cylinder one was down and the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the EPF may be damaged and not work. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the federal safety agency hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
Truck had no check engine light then caught on fire going down the road and burned to ground within seconds Incident report 46-24-05039 08_30-74 US-30 - PA 74 30 W
Part Failure Motorcraft FD4615 (secondary filter on top of the engine) It is available for inspection. This occurred approximately 200 miles after installation. Failure resulted in diesel fuel saturating the entire engine compartment, firewall, and underside of the truck. Extreme fire hazard. Failure should be confirmed by mechanic today (it's pretty obvious). No other inspection performed as of yet. No warning lamps/messages/symptoms. Only sign was extreme smell of diesel in the cab. When vehicle stopped, and was inspected, there was diesel dripping from the engine compartment and underside of truck past the transmission. Was driving truck down the road when I turned off on a side road. When I did, there was an extreme smell of diesel. I stopped, and got out of the truck. There was smoke coming from under the hood, and a very substantial amount of diesel running out of the engine bay down towards the transmission. After allowing the vehicle to cool, I popped the hood. The entire engine bay was saturated. Diesel was pooled on top of the intake, as well as running down the side of the engine and firewall. Some smoke was still present. A person who stopped momentarily turned the ignition to the "on" position to see if there was an obvious leak. The center of the top of the fuel filter was spraying fuel out like a geyser, hitting the underside of the hood, and blanketing the engine.
As soon as the truck started, it popped out one of its spark plug. The truck started shaking and made a hollow noise and began to smoke and quickly caught on fire. The fire burned the entire truck.
I traveled less than a quarter mile down the road and the truck started knocking I turned back towards my house & I was only traveling around 5 miles an hour then I heard a loud pop no warning lights came on or even an alarm sounding before this happened after the loud pop the truck immediately locked up and started pouring dark smoke from the engine compartment I jumped out of the truck & ran for cover thinking it was going to burst into flames the truck has 125000 miles on it roughly the truck is available for inspection from anyone who is interested in finding out what caused what could be a very hazardous potentially deadly occurrence happening to anyone else in a different setting on a freeway or highway in a high traffic area it definitely would have been a very different situation I live in a tiny town out in the sticks as. I also mentioned I was literally less than 1000 ft from where I live
Alternator caught fire.
The contact owns a 2012 ford f-250. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact smelled smoke coming from inside the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the entire vehicle wiring harness needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the insulation burned off the wires from the passenger’s to the driver’s side causing the door locks to become inoperable. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,404.
Related recalls
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ford f-150, f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, edge, and lincoln mkx trucks manufactured from october 25, 2010, through november 20, 2010. These vehicles were inspected using integrated diagnostic system (ids) that had a custom software routine to read the suspect body control module (bcm) serial number. Based on the serial number the bcm was either not affected or replaced. The custom software routine was not reading the correct set of characters, and was not able to identify a bcm that required replacement affected bcms may have the potential for an internal short.
- Risk
- If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect the body control module and if necessary replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on march 7, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 11V128000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with a 6.4l diesel engine, insufficient clearance of the battery positive (b+) wire to the right hand splash shield bolt may result in the battery b+ wire contacting the splash shield bolt.
- Risk
- Long term contact could cause wire chafe, resulting in copper wire being exposed. If this condition occurs, the battery b+ wire could short to ground increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the battery b+ wire location and, if necessary, reposition the wire. The recall began on april 3, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 07V140000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engines, the engine ground stud that attaches the negative battery terminal eyelet to the engine block may be loose.
- Risk
- If the ground wire is loose, electrical current may flow to the radio suppression strap causing it to heat and potentially melt or ignite adjacent components which could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine ground stud and the radio suppression strap and adjacent components will be inspected for damage and replaced, if necessary. The recall began on july 23, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 04V327000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
- Risk
- This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: module
- What is wrong
- In a heavily loaded vehicle, while in the cruise control mode, the throttle may not reduce immediately when the load on the engine is decreased (such as when the vehicle crests a hill.) this can result in increased vehicle speed without prior warning.
- Risk
- This can result in loss of speed control of the vehicle, and a possible accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the electronic engine control module.
Recall number 94V101000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-250 fire or smoke
Which Ford F-250 years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (21 complaints), 1996 (19 complaints) and 2001 (18 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix fire, smoke or burning smell on the Ford F-250?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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