1997 Ford F-350: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 5, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 173,000 miles · ID · fire

While driving my 1997 ford f350 diesel pickup, pulling a 36ft gooseneck horse trailer with my two teenage daughters and their four horses, the engine in my pickup spontaneously ignited. There was no "check engine" warning light, and the engine temperature gauge showed normal. The only warning I had was smoke coming up from the left wheel well upon speed decrease to turn a corner. I was traveling a short distance from home and at a low rate of speed (less than 40mph) during the travel from my home to the local fairgrounds for rodeo practice. As I turned the corner, the smoke billowed. I immediately pulled over and smoke filled the cab of the pickup. My two daughters and I quickly evacuated the vehicle and called 911. We quickly unloaded the livestock from the trailer and got far away from the scene. My fiance, who was traveling behind us in another vehicle, tried putting the fire out with the fire extinguisher I carried in my pickup, but to no avail. As an emergency responder himself, he had the presence of mind to unhook the pickup from the horse trailer and push it away as it became engulfed in flames. By the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and a total loss. From the time I noticed the smoke until the fire consumed the vehicle was less than 15 minutes. My daughters have been traumatized by this incident. We have suffered significant financial and economic loss as a result of this spontaneous fire. I need to make people aware of this to prevent others from suffering similar loss, injury or even death. I am aware that there are multiple electrical issues with this make/model vehicle. I received no recall notices from ford, or warning of any kind that something like this could happen to my vehicle as a result of a faulty part (which is what we believed to be the cause of this fire).

Filed Jul 20, 2010 · Fuel system · 120,858 miles · TX · fire

We drove the truck and it never got hot or acted up then we parked it and a little bit later it was on fire.

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Brakes · 280,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-350 with a diesel engine. The contact stated that when he stopped at a traffic light, stop, the brake pedal felt unusually weak and there was a strong odor of brake fluid in the vehicle. The contact then accelerated to speeds of 10 MPH and made a turn. In doing so, he noticed flames from underneath the hood near the master cylinder. The engine was shut off and the fire department was called to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. A fire report was filed accordingly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer did not want the vehicle on the property and the contact to remove it immediately. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle was sold to a local junkyard. The approximate failure mileage was 275,404 and the current mileage was 275,404.

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · TX · fire

Dt: the engine caught fire on the driver's side of the engine compartment. The consumer's carport (port-a couche) caught on fire along with their home. The house was a total loss. *nm the vehicle had not been started or driven for 8 days prior to the fire. The consumer's 1997 ford f350 was not included in the recall although it had the same cruise control switch as the recalled vehicle's.

Filed Feb 17, 2005 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · AZ · fire

In 2003, my 1997 ford f-350 crew cab lost the cruise control and on several occasions would not shift out of park. On 05 sep 2003 my truck, with the engine cold, caught fire while parked in my driveway, catching my house on fire. This resulted in a claims to both my homeowners and my vehicle insurance. My vehicle was a total loss in the fire. The VIN number for my truck was: [xxx].

Filed Jan 21, 2003 · 162,000 miles · WI · fire

While parked vehicle caught on fire and burned to the ground, cause is unknown. Please provide additional information. Ts

Filed May 21, 1998 · Brakes, Engine · MI · fire

When traveling at 20 to 35 MPH and upon depressing the brake pedal to make a sudden stop, brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer also has experienced a problem when traveling, fire shot out of the exhaust system, causing objects in the road to catch on fire. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

Filed Dec 2, 1997 · Brakes · VA · fire

The front brakes caught on fire. The dealer replaced the front brakes at 2 miles. Owner is having problems with the rear brakes.