2013 Ford Taurus: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 18, 2024 · Engine, Steering · 139,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was white-colored smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact replenished the coolant fluid soon after noticing the smoke. The following day, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm, and excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel. The “Power Steering Assist” message was displayed on the instrument panel. Two unknown dealers were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); and linked the failure to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Engine · 60,000 miles · WI

While driving through the city, the vehicle suddenly overheated, with little to no warning it gave me a over temperature warning, which prompted me to pull over and turn off the vehicle. After parking the vehicle I notices large amounts of coolant being spewed from the pressure relief. After replacing the thermostat on the vehicle, it continued to leak coolant, although it was difficult to identify where the leak was. After 3 weeks and some testing, the dealership was able to find a leak in the water pump. Had the leak not been found, there could have been serious overheating issues. Based on what I saw with how quickly the car overheated with and ambient outside air temperature of about 68*f it's a wonder no ford taurus' has started on fire.

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · IA

On 5/31/2013 I purchased a new 2013 ford taurus sho. Today, the car has about 73,000 miles on it. About three weeks ago I began smelling a hot smell, like plastic or sulfur, but could not pin point it. I was concerned that my car was going to catch on fire because it just didn't smell right, both inside and outside the car. I only smelled it after the car got warmed up and was stationary or moving slow in town. After I accelerated the smell would go away, but would come back when I slowed down and stopped. Then I began to notice a couple drops of fluid underneath my car. I took it to the dealership who told me I probably had some oil on the engine, which would go away with time. I had the oil changed and new tires put on and asked them to check a couple error codes I had gotten. The service technicians told me my car was fine and I could drive it, including to chicago for christmas. The smell problem continued and the leak progressively got worse, so I immediately took it back again. They now tell me that the power transfer unit has failed and the car has a turbo down pipe leak. To repair, it will cost me over $2,000.00. I contacted ford to see if they could help me. They told me that because the powertrain warranty has expired, they will not help me. I explained that this car would still be under warranty as of may 31, 2017 and the powertrain should not fail at 73,000 miles, most of which were highway miles. Ford still will not provide any assistance. In speaking with the dealership, they told me this is an issue that has been going on. They've had 5 other ptus fail in about six months. Ford documented the case number as [xxx]. I am going to take pictures and save all documents and receipts. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 16, 2015 · Engine · 32,300 miles · IL · fire

On 8/1/15, my son, my father, and I were heading back from vacation. My father was driving when he went to accelerate; we heard a "pop" from the engine. My son stated that he smelt smoke. My father and I hadn't at that time. Not even a minute later, the dashboard flashed a "service soon" and to check manual. Before I could thumb thru the manual, my father stated that we had lost power. He was coasting over to the side of the road when we both smelled smoke. Shortly after that, we saw smoke and fire from the drivers side hood. Before he had the car stopped, smoke and flames were rolling out. We were able to get everything out of the vehicle but the car was a total loss. I contacted the dealership along with ford motor company regarding this issue. My car had less than 33k miles. It was still under factory warranty; heck I even bought the extended warranty. The dealership and ford motor company aren't taking responsibility at this time.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Engine · 33,000 miles · NC · fire

I drove my 2013 ford taurus approximately 4 miles to my home. After cutting the car off I noticed smoke billowing from under the hood. I restarted the car to back out from under my carport. I cut the car off and within seconds the car was engulfed in flames causing a total loss. There were no warning signs or signals. It was very quick. My insurance company settled the claim and is subrogating with ford. Ford has shown no interest about seeing the car, finding out what happened or determining the possible cause of the fire. This is very disappointing as this could have been very dangerous if it had happened while driving, not to mentioned if it had caught my house on fire. I am very disappointed with ford and chose not to purchase another ford, nor will I recommend one. By the way the car was still under warranty and had been serviced at the ford dealership including recalls.

Filed Feb 11, 2014 · Electrical · 13,500 miles · MI · fire · 1 injury

On jan. 9 2014 approx. 5:10 a.m. I remotely started my car and after 5 minutes I came outside and noticed a 3inch flame above the license plate on top of the bumper below the deck lid. I thought maybe something was burning on the car and went to swat it and was burned on hand with melting plastic bumper. Tried to put it out with snow...the bumper was burnt all the way across the deck lid and tail lights before it was put out with water. It looked as if it was burning from the inside. As of todays date ford still does not know why it caught fire.

Filed Feb 11, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · NY · fire

Had issues with lights not working. Took it to get it fixed. They "fixed" it. Happened again a few days later. Went back in to get fixed. Later we were notified that the back trunk caught on fire. Bumper was melted and there was damage to the trunk lid. Items inside were fine. If it was being driven, I'm sure the driver would be dead. The fire was so close to the gas tank.