2015 Ford Mustang: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX · fire

I was driving down the highway with heater on and defrost. All of a sudden I hear a pop and my car started bogging down. I exited the highway to get out of danger, it then had a wrench light ( transmission) pop up and when I parked the car on the access road it started smoking a lot. I turned the vehicle off immediately and when I seen smoke coming from under the hood and into the cab of the car. I lifted the hood after seeing fire in the passenger wheel well. And then in the engine block towards the windshield in the middle of the engine. I am a fire fighter and it appeared to me that the fire was being fed by some kind of substance. Fort Worth Fire department showed up and put the fire out and took a report.

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Engine · SC · fire

“Charge system service now” came on the dash, battery lost power after about 10 seconds, screen went black, dash went black, car locked up, opened the hood and the engine was on fire, called 911 who came quickly and put the fire out without the entire car burning, insurance later total losses the car. I don’t know if it was the battery or the engine responsible for the failure, because the flames were on the engine and not the battery, but the incident was triggered by a battery warning. I was on the interstate driving 60mph when the car shut off and everything including my headlights and even hazard lights went black. Not only could I have been struck by a car on the interstate, I could have died in a car fire. Because the car locked up, I couldn’t open the trunk or use any electronics. The door could have just as easily locked and trapped us inside a burning car. The car is on a salvage yard, no attempt to replicate has been made. Progressive insurance, and Columbia fire inspected it and found that it was undetermined. “Charge service system now” was the only warning before the infotainment screen shut down to reduce battery usage. Every light on the dash flashed right before everything on the dash went black and power was lost to the entire vehicle.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

With only 32,885 miles, engine light came on due to (P0456) EVAP small leak. Went to an auto shop and Ford dealer for diagnostic scan. Both technicians found that there is a bit of smoke coming out from the top of the fuel tank due to a small stress crack at the port near the canister vent hose as well as a small crack below fuel pressure sensor tube. New fuel tank replacement was recommended as the crack could not be repaired. Cost to fix is $1,400 parts and $1,200 labor. This small crack nears the fuel tank seems to be a major concern for owners as it could increase the risk of vehicle fire and should be a recall by Ford for immediate remedy.

Filed Dec 11, 2024 · Electrical, Seats · TX

I am writing to formally request an investigation into a potential recall issue regarding a heated seat module and module plug on my vehicle. Below are the details of my vehicle for your reference: * Make/Model: 2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost * VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): [XXX] * Mileage: 183,367 I have encountered a burning/melted plastic smell along with smoke coming from my heated/cooled seat module box while operating the vehicle. This issue has impacted safety, and reduced functionality. I have contacted the dealership, and had the part inspected but the issue persists. Upon reviewing similar concerns online and through forums, I noticed other owners reporting comparable problems, starting with many different 2015-2020 ford model vehicles, which leads me to believe this may be a widespread issue. I respectfully request that Ford initiate an investigation to determine if this problem warrants a recall. I also ask for guidance on how to address this issue in the interim to ensure the continued safety of myself and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Electrical, Seats · TN

Wire under passenger sear for heated seats has burning smell. Wire was replaced but happens again. Will need to replace entire plug.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Engine · 55,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the valve cover was engine oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold. There was smoke coming from underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and four new head gasket holes were drilled, and bolts were added. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Seats · TN

Heated seats stopped working smell of burning wires. Both seats make a clunking sound when moved.

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · AL · fire

This car has been in the shop and repaired almost every year since purchase for the same part/problem. The evaporator assembly has been completely replaced twice. The first time was 6 months after purchase and only 9000 miles on the car. The most recent time this part has went out, 11/23/2021, the cabin filled with smoke while I was driving. Smelled like a camp fire so I was concerned the car was on fire. I believe if I hadn’t pulled over, the car would’ve been engulfed in flames with me inside. This is a definite safety concern, and wonder why there has been no recall on this part. Especially if the car can actually catch fire. No check engine or warning lights appeared. Just a cabin full of smoke. Ford is now saying it’s the evaporator assembly, again, and it will cost $2600 to fix. I feel this should’ve been fixed the first time. This is an ongoing problem with this car from what I’ve read and believe Ford needs to do something about it. How many lives should it cost? Mine is worth more then $2600. Should be an easy fix for a multi billion dollar company!!!

Filed Mar 13, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 68,123 miles · CA · fire

I was driving my 2015 twin eco-boost car on a city street,when I I heard something under hood.and right at that moment smoke was rolling out from under the hood.when I stopped and got out,thats when a witness told me she saw flames coming out from under the car it melted everything under the hood.every wire was exsposed.I am waiting for report from fire department.I do have a picture of it.fire chief said battery exploded.

Filed Jun 22, 2020 · Fuel system · 56,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford mustang. The contact stated that when his daughter would drive the vehicle at various speeds, she could smell a burning rubber odor emitting from the vehicle. While the contact's daughter was driving at 50 MPH, she noticed white smoke coming from the engine without warning. The driver immediately pulled and called her father. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who discovered that the valve cover gasket had caused oil to spill over the manifold. The contact then called angela krause ford (1575 mansell rd, alpharetta, ga 30009) where they informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle and referred him to the manufacturer. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed him that the dealer would have to perform a diagnostic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they may offer financial assistance if the failure was determined to be linked to the federal safety agency id number: 10167184 (engine and engine cooling) manufacturer communication number tsb 19-2309, which did not include his vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 56,000.*dt

Filed Mar 12, 2018 · Acceleration, Electrical · 35,000 miles · NC · fire

Car would idle then cut off during stationary, engine would cut off while in motion on highway or city street turning and not turning. Car would not accelerate or move when pressing gas. Heated seat caught on fire. Steering wheel controls stopped working. New battery would die then be fine, car have problems after filling with gas would not start, black and white smoke came out of the exaust and displayed low fuel when it had a full tank. Car restricted me from driving past 80. Power train issues , auxiliary emission control failed, computer output circuit failed.

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · 12,255 miles · TX

Air conditioner potentially leaking freon into passenger compartment. While driving around noticed lite fog/smoke coming through air vents into passenger compartment (not observed this before and windows were closed). 20 minutes later air conditioner started blowing warm air. Later that week found out air conditioner evaporator coil had leaked rendering the air conditioning unusable. Mileage at time of occurance ~12,255 miles. Also noticed a lot of 2015 model cars with similar failure mode