1998 Ford Taurus: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 24, 2012 · Body, Engine · 70,000 miles · MD · fire

After driving about a mile, the air conditioning stopped and black smoke came out of the hood. Stopped the car and thought of opening the hood but saw flames. Three adults and two children (5 and 2 yrs old) got out of the car. Called police and fire service. By the time they arrive, the car was in flames. The engine and front row seats were totally burnt. The car was a total loss. There was no way to determine the reason for the (mysterious) fire. This happened in miami, florida.

Filed Mar 11, 2005 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · MI · fire

Consumer turned the vehicle on and let the engine idle while parked in the driveway. Approximately 15 minutes later the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The fire damageed total the vehicle. How the fire started? Was not determined.

Filed Sep 21, 2004 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · OH · fire

While driving consumer noticed smoke coming out of the air vents on the dashboard. Consumer pulled over and exited the vehicle. The entire vehicle went up in flames within seconds. No warning lights came on prior to the smoke and flames.

Filed Jun 25, 2003 · Transmission · VA

Today, while driving at about 55 MPH on rte 1, my 1998 ford taurus wagon suddenly starting to shake violently as loud noises like bottoming out on several boulders emanated from beneath the car. The engine continued to run smoothly and the A/C pumped out cool air, but when the car came to rest at a stop light it did not move forward until the RPM got quite high and only then at a very slow, herky, jerky pace. The car smoothed out at around 25-30 MPH, but the problem got progressively worse. I noticed blue-gray smoke coming from the rear of the car and parked the car in a relatively safe place. I noticed liquid dripping from beneath the car near the rear of the oil pan. My husband checked on the car on his way home from work to ascertain that the liquid is transmission fluid. Without humor I recalled a woman telling me just two weeks ago that she had a car just like mine that she had to replace the transmission in recently, and I told her at the time that my car was running fine. This failure occurred without any warning. It was fortunate that I was on rte 1 and not on I-95, and in the day time on a hot sunny day and not on a cold, wet night.

Filed Oct 1, 2002 · Engine · PA · fire

Consumer states that while driving the vehicle smoke started coming out of the vehicle and seconds later the vehicle got completely on fire.fire was coming from the engine. Dealer was not notified. Nlm

Filed Dec 26, 2000 · Steering · MA · fire

High pressure hose ruptured while parking. No steering boost after failure. Vehicle driven to dealer with smoke coming from under hood.

Filed Sep 4, 2000 · Engine · AR · fire

Was driving to work ar 5am on 6-21 and it was raining while sitting at a stop sign an 18 wheeler passed and caused water to splash up and my car died. I started the car and went on to work and worked 7.5 hours on my way home I was motioned off the road by another driver and told to get out of the car that there was flames shooting out from the car this driver took me to get a tow truck and while we were gone the fire dept had to be called to put a fire out on the car. The car has been at putnam lincoln for over 2 months because it has to have a new motor and ford will not replacre the motor because they said I drove through water this has caused me much stress and mental trauma and because of this I might have to file bankruptcy if I can not get help getting my car back on the road. I was told by putnam that the same thing happened to another ford car the same day and have been told about several 1997 ford vechicles that the same thing has happened to and that the consumer has to pay to fix the vechicle I can not afford to fix the vechicle and it is not safe for a vechicle that will catch on fire to be on the road and if the problem was due to me driving in the rain that am why and how could it catch on fire that afternoon. I need help desperately please I have also been told that ford can not determing the amount of damage caused by the fire until they get the 3500. Need for the new motor and get the car started again all ford has offered me is to extend two months payments I am scared of this vehicle and do not really want it back but I need to get the whole situation resolved somehow I had this vechicle back to the dealer several times for fuel pump problems whie it was still under warranty I thank god that I was not injured but I need something done about the car

Filed May 3, 2000 · Electrical · MO · fire

Whle driving consumer noticed smoke coming underneath driver's side, and from underneath hood. Consumer pulled over, and within minutes vehicle had caught on fire. Vehicle was a total loss. Investigator advises fire caused by faulty fuel lines. Damage too excessive to have been electrical.

Filed Jun 21, 1999 · Lights · WY · fire

There was a fire within the trunk when sleeping bag caught on fire. Consumer put the fire out. However, smoke caused alot of damage. Manufacturer is aware of the problem.

Filed Mar 15, 1999 · Electrical · WI

We connected the immersionblock heater at 9:00, mar 2. At about 8:30. Mar 3, wwe discovered our car had caught fire and burned, the front end being demolished: the engine burned th rough, much of the front end being melted. Roen ford personnel state the cuase to be "unidentified" but suggest the cause might be a short in the electrical system, perhaps the block heater.

Filed Jul 29, 1998 · Engine · NY

While driving smoke came the engine. The cooling fan had stopped working. The dealer has been notified.