2001 Ford Taurus: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Airbags · 157,000 miles · MI · crash

Car accident -- deer hit front passenger side -- damage to hood, light, small bar inside hood. Air bag did not deploy. I was informed that air bags do not deploy on all accidents. Car was totaled due to age and mileage on vehicle, but it ran well. Had all of the front end looked at to be sure that I could still operate it, so kept the vehicle. Feb. 10, 2014 I had gotten an oil change at walmart. Also had added coolant. I noticed on the wednesday (2/12) that the car had smoke coming from under the hood when I parked the vehicle at the same walmart. Took it back to the automotive department the coolant level was completely gone and had to take it to an independent business to have a number of items replaced - water pump, oil gasket pan, new oil and coolant added and a few other things. Was told by the independent that walmart should have informed me when I had gotten the oil change that there was a problem. Also dec. 31st, I had two tie rods installed (outer if I recall correctly), then I happen to notice on march 13th my front tires seemed low. Went in and was told that I needed two new tires and suggested a wheel alignment (which this company did not do). Took it to a tire company and they informed me that a ball joint and one inner tie rod needed to be replaced. The february and march incidents happened while I was out of town (father in hospice and death).

Filed Aug 6, 2009 · Engine · 80,000 miles · LA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. There was no smoke coming from the engine compartment, but the temperature dial dropped quickly. Within minutes, the contact pulled the vehicle over and shut off the engine. She allowed the vehicle to cool off and it was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic checked the vehicle and stated that all of the fluids were fine; however, the catalytic converter failed. The vehicle heads were made of aluminum and when the engine overheated, they warped and cracked. The failure caused the entire motor to be replaced. During the entire ordeal, there were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 80,000. Updated 08/31/09 *bf updated 09/03/09.

Filed Apr 16, 2009 · Suspension · 52,000 miles · NY

My son was driving my 2001 ford taurus. He pulled in to my driveway with smoke coming from under the hood and right side of car. My mechanic said the front spring broke which also broke the strut and shredded the boot. Its covered by the warranty. Now my concern is the rear springs. Why is there no recall for this! Apparently ford knows of these complaints and does nothing! Please issue a recall!! Before someone gets killed!

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Acceleration · 165,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. After being parked for approximately ten or fifteen minutes, the contact heard a loud bang. The vehicle caught fire and it was extinguished by the fire department. A report was filed. The vehicle and a grill were destroyed. The contact has pictures. The current and failure mileages were 165,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2008 · Engine · 160,000 miles · TX · fire

Drove home from work. Was inside my home about 10 minutes. Heard a loud noise went out side and my car was on fire. Fire men put it out and said it probably started up in the dash area.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Suspension · 88,000 miles · KS

As I was backing out of my driveway, I heard a sound from my car's rear end. After I turned around and returned home I smelled burning rubber and noticed pieces of rubber inside the wheel. I removed the wheel and saw that the strut spring had broken and was rubbing the inside sidewall of the tire away. If this had occurred on the highway, it very well could have been fatal. Luckily I was in the neighborhood or my daughter was not driving. This is an extremely severe safety hazard that occurs without warning and will produce an uncontrollable car. I contacted the local ford dealer and also called ford's customer service hotline but they will do nothing about this hazard or will they help in the repair. The front springs were under a recall but I didn't know this until one of these failed. Ford replaced the front springs after this happened. From looking at this site, there seems to be a problem with this component.

Filed Dec 31, 2007 · Visibility · 124,004 miles · IL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. The contact had just refilled the washer window fluid and pressed the button for the fluid a second time when he began to smell smoke. By the time he and his daughter exited the vehicle, flames were rising from under the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was filed. The federal safety agency campaign id number 01v258000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer: motor) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 124,004.

Filed Jul 2, 2006 · Suspension · 87,172 miles · NJ

Rear driver side coil spring broke while driving on highway going at 65 MPH. Heard a loud bang in rear and proceeded to drive about 1 mile to my house. Smelled burning rubber coming from the rear tire. Proceeded to take the tire off the car and found that the coil spring had fractured and the inner side of the tire had a deep gouge from the sharp broken coil spring. I was lucky that I was close to home when it occurred and didn't have to travel too many miles. In either case it would have resulted in a blown tire which is very terrifying. Estimate repair will be both rear coil springs,two new rear tires.

Filed May 19, 2006 · Suspension · 73,521 miles · SD

Driving to work and heard a load rubbing sound in the right rear spring/tire. What alerted me to get this taken care of was the burning smell of rubber and the loud rubbing noise. I contacted the dealership that I purchased my vehicle from because I purchased an extended warranty. Brought it in and was informed that the rear right side spring was busted and it gouged my tire. If I would have drove just a bit more, it could have blown.

Filed Jul 3, 2005 · 40,000 miles · NY · fire

My son advised me to send this to you. Our 2001 ford taurus was in our garage when our garage caught fire and burned in february. There didn't seem to be any reason for the garage to burn. I was advised to let you know that the case was in the garage when the garage started to burn. We have pictures.

Filed Jun 14, 2005 · CA

I own a 2001 ford taurus. We have been having an on going oil filter leak. We have dealer paperwork to prove it. I found on-line a tsb 01-20-4 showing the problem. We went to drew ford today 6-14-05. The problem is the machined lines on the oil filter mounting surface. Our service writer told us we'll be charged 60.00 to find the leak. When it's plain as day where its leaking. We're told the warranty is the lst 36,000 miles only, but we have been reporting this all along to ford. When I found this tsb on-line number 01-20-4. I want my car fixed for free.this is a hazard,not only the smell of burning oil, but the fire hazard, the dealer said there is a chance if it is fixed if all the metal and sandpaper debris from the oil filter pad enter the engine or oil this could lead to engine bearing damage. So now this is a catch 22. I have passed the 36,000 miles., having over 90,000 miles. I told the dealer ( drew ford) in la mesa ca I leave on vacation, I'm driving to mn 6-19-05. 5 days from now. This should be a re-call. It is for 2001 taurus, ranger and 2001 sable models.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 11,448 miles · MO · fire

While driving the vehicle in stop and go traffic consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood, and the vehicle hesitated. Consumer was able to pull the vehicle out of traffics onto the side of the road. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed to the dealer. The insurance investigator inspected the vehicle and determined that the cause of the fire was a fuel rail failure which leaked fuel onto the manifold.