1993 Ford Taurus: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 28, 2007 · Engine · 170,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford taurus. On may 30, 2007, the vehicle caught fire while parked. The contact noticed black smoke rising from under the hood, which LED to the vehicle being engulfed in flames. The lot where the vehicle was parked sustained damage as well as the items that were in the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact has pictures and can obtain a copy of the sheriff's report. The VIN, engine size, and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 170,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2005 · Electrical · WA · fire

I recently read an article about spontaneous fires in ford models on cnn. I used to have a ford taurus which caught on fire. Luckily we put it out before it got very large but the entire wiring harness burnt and it was unrepairable.

Filed May 31, 2005 · Airbags · 136,200 miles · CA · 1 injury

Hit dip (road defect) 04/26/05; driver's-side airbag (from steering wheel) deployed. Thought car about to catch on fire (that airbag powder was smoke); quickly exited car, then realized situation. Sustained airbag burns - lower face/chin, all across chest/breasts; right hand bruised, swollen between 2nd & 3rd knuckles. *no* damage to car, other than airbag deploying. My opinion regarding airbags shifted 180 degrees; just want my car's airbags disabled, but told that's illegal (at least in ca). Shouldn't have to drive afraid of airbag deployment & injury or even death, without any say in the matter. As I understand it, airbags designed to protect 220-lb. _man_ in front-end collision, re-engineered after 1st generation to deploy with more force because _non-seat-belt-wearers_ injured. I _always_ wear seat belt in car (ca law); since relatively short (5'5"), directly in line of driver's-side airbag deployment); lightweight (125 lbs.) -- nowhere near 220 lbs. Extremely lucky no other cars around when incident occurred; else unnecessary airbag deployment could have caused an accident: deployment (explosion) and resultant powder shocked me & obscured vision. Per motor sports digest ([email protected]), for professional/skilled race car drivers: - "... Showroom stock classes ... Use the same kind of cars we all drive every day, only they _remove_ the air bag for safety!" at racing speeds, with safety paramount -- yet racers realize airbags are dangerous. - "... It['s] strange why people can't realize that what can kill a small child will at least injure an adult!" [ I agree] - "... Mechanics and installers are all warned of the dangers of the air bag.... Touching the wrong wire while their head is under the dash can cause permanent hearing loss at the very least if the air bag deploys." (local ford dealer requires $324.00 to hook up, run airbag simulator before re-installing airbag (which I didn't want anyway!) to insure mechanic's safety.)

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Electrical · LA · fire

While being parked for approximately 6-8 hours vehicle caught on fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

Filed Aug 13, 2004 · Engine · CA

While driving 60 MPH consumer saw smoke coming through the front of the vehicle. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to a body shop for inspection. Mechanic determined that head gasket needed to be replaced and replaced it. Three years later while driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to a body shop for inspection. Mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to a head gasket blow out.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · OK · fire

Motor mounts replaced. Steering pins replaced 4 days after motor mounts replaced, the car catches on file from an electrical short. I drove the car 1 time after it was out of the shop. 11 hours after I drove it, the whole engine was on fire from an electrical short

Filed Feb 13, 2003 · Engine · OH · fire

* ohio traffic safety report* the vehicle caught on fire.*jg

Filed Aug 13, 2002 · Engine · FL

Engine leaking coolant and white smoke coming from tail pipe while driving. Dealer contacted. *ak the check engine light came on, the temperature rised to hot and vehicle stalled after making noise. There was water leaking out of the exhaust system.

Filed Jul 23, 2002 · Engine · PA

While traveling on highway temperature gauge went up high into the red zone, and vehicle was leaking coolant. Also, there was white smoke coming from underneath the vehicle.*ak

Filed Feb 4, 2002 · Engine · KY

While traveling at 35 MPH driver noticed black smoke coming from tailpipe. Driver parked vehicle, and contacted a mechanic. Mechanic stated that head engine was bad.

Filed Dec 17, 2001 · Electrical, Steering · WV · fire

Wiring harness caught on fire, causing electrical system to malfunction. Dealer has yet to be contacted. *ak consumer stated she and daughter were trapped int he vehicle, consumer also stated the steering locked up.

Filed Nov 27, 2001 · Electrical · WV · fire

Wiring harness caught on fire, causing electrical system to malfunction. Also, power door locks became inoperable. Dealer has yet to be contacted. *ak while driving, consumer noticed smoke coming from the dash and steering column, consumer stated that the steering column and windows would not work.