1995 Ford Windstar: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 12, 2010 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. While parked at a gas station, the vehicle caught fire from under the hood without warning. The manufacturer advised the vehicle was under an unknown recall and an investigator would further inspect the vehicle for the cause of the fire. The vehicle was repaired under the unknown recall however, the contact stated the brake warning light illuminated following repairs. The contact had not had any problems with the braking system before repairs. The contact spoke with the manufacturer who provided no assistance and he was unable to locate a dealer who would make further repairs to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 170,000 and the current was 177,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2010 · Engine · 140,000 miles · WV · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. While driving 40 MPH she noticed that the brake light appeared on the dashboard and that the temperature gauge had risen; within a few minutes, an explosion occurred in the vehicle causing black smoke to fill the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The next morning, the contact heard an explosion outside of her home and noticed that the front end of the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the failure. The contact previously noticed that the vehicle was making a squealing sound moments before the brake light appeared on the dashboard. The current and failure mileages were 140000.

Filed Jan 14, 2008 · Fuel system · 175,000 miles · KS · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. After driving nine miles with the emergency brake activated, fumes and flames released from the gas tank, after filling the vehicle. The failure made a loud noise. The service center stated that there was no fuel leakage. The current mileage was 188,186 and failure mileage was 175,000. Updated 02-14-08.

Filed Sep 23, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · 170,000 miles · PA · fire

1995 ford windstar van brake pressure switch caught fire. Occurred during fill up at gas station. I was able to extinguish the fire quickly as heavy blue smoke alerted me to the problem. Why wasn't this vehicle part of the recall for this same switch? My house could have burned down (garaged vehicle), as I understand the switch is electrically hot even with the car off!

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 132,838 miles · SC

Purchased the van used in 2004. A few weeks later the transmission had to be rebuilt. Shortly after that the brake lights came on. Mechanic could not find anything wrong with the brakes, although periodically they made a noise and would stiffen up, then the pedal would go slack and then return to normal. The muffler fell off and was put back on. The check engine light had been on, when hooked up to the computer it only showed codes for the exhaust system. Then it started overheating and a bit of white smoke came from the tailpipe. The intake manifold gasket was replaced. 2 days later the overdrive light started blinking and the van didn't have much power and would stall out while emitting a thick cloud of white smoke from the tailpipe. Mechanic says now the head gasket is blown.

Filed Jul 7, 2006 · Electrical · 162,000 miles · PA · fire

Stopped at diner to eat lunch and within 10 minutes my van was in flames. Fire started underhood on driver side. Officials stated that cause was most likely due to defective electrical wiring at the brake fluid reservoir. Called ford and go no help.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Brakes · 87,230 miles · ID · fire

Dt: while driving on september 24, 2005 the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer had not taken vehicle to be inspected. The consumer believed that it might have been caused by the ABS brakes. There was no previous warning before this occurred.

Filed Sep 12, 2005 · Acceleration · 203,300 miles · VA

Dt: while driving a month ago the consumer noticed a large amount of white smoke coming from under the front left side of the hood. The consumer pulled vehicle over, shut off the engine, and inspected under the hood. The consumer smelled plastic and electrical burning. The consumer restarted the engine and noticed there was a plug near the master cylinder, and the smoke was coming from that plug along the brake master cylinder. The consumer called his brother and consulted an automobile repair manual and discovered this was part of the cruise control system. Determined that the cruise control could be disconnected and they did so. The consumer left the vehicle sitting about seven to eight hours before disconnecting the switch and driving home. The consumer noted that cruise control switch quit working a few months prior. Since disconnecting the cruise control switch the vehicle lost a lot of brake fluid. The consumer heard about the ford recall, but this vehicle was not included in the recall because it was a 1995 ford windstar. He took the vehicle to a ford dealer, and they informed him that the vehicle was not involved in the recall although they have the same cruise control switch. The consumer has not contacted ford at this time. There was no visible body damage, there were no flames, but only smoke, and no fire.

Filed Nov 22, 2004 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · FL · fire

Car engine was skipping while driving down the road at mid speeds, auto shop said it was either the torque converter starting to go bad or the transmission had a short in the overdrive switch. Next night after driving approx 30 miles, parked car in driveway, 20 minutes later, whole front end of car was engulfed in flames. Car was totaled by insurance company.

Filed Jun 30, 2004 · Electrical · 134,000 miles · PA · fire

Vehicle caught on fire while parked in front of the consumer's home. Fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. Fire inspector indicated that the fire was an electrical wiring failure.

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · MO · fire

While driving consumer noticed a greasy substance on the rear windshield and smelt smoke. Consumer pulled off the road to check the smell, but didn't find any problem. Then, consumer pulled back onto the road, drove for a few seconds, before pulling into a gas station. Consumer was alerted by the gas station attendant that vehicle was on fire. A fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, who indicated the fire occurred because of transmission seal failure.

Filed May 6, 2004 · Electrical · WV · fire

While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. He then pulled over, but before he could actually get out, other drivers noticed flames coming from underneath. Within minutes, the vehicle was on fire and was totaled.