Geo Prizm fire or smoke problems

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Electrical · 104,662 miles · CA · fire

A few minutes after I started my 1997' geo prizm on the evening of 3/7/04, it began to make a strange noise. I drove the car about six blocks to a service station; by the time I pulled in and popped the hood, it started to smell hot- although temp gauge was still normal. I popped the hood, saw smoke coming from fuel injection system, and tried to turn vehicle off. I removed the key from the ignition, but the car kept running, and trying to continuously restart itself. I searched the trunk for tools to disconnect the battery; at this point the engine ignited, and there was so much smoke that I could not get close to the vehicle safely any longer. I called 911 on my cell phone, and less than ten minutes later, a fire truck came and put the fire out. I am told that there is about a thousand dollars worth of damage in parts alone: my starter, ignition system, two out of four fuel injectors, the entire wire harness, computer, positive cable to the battery, and possibly the battery itself will all need to be replaced. Prior to this incident, there was no indication that anything was wrong with my car. All maintenance was current.

Filed Mar 5, 2004 · Electrical · LA · fire

While driving smoke came from under the hood. Driver pulled over, and fire department was called. The cause of the fire was unknown.

Filed Oct 17, 2002 · Engine · WA · fire

Consumer states that while driving and no warning the engine caught on fire under the hood, the consumer was able to pull over to the side of the road, dealer notified. Ts

Filed Oct 13, 2000 · Airbags, Electrical · OH · crash · fire · 1 injury

I was rearended in an accident on 10-11-00 at a stop light, which in turn pushed me into the car in front of me, I was hit at 45 miles an hour, my trunk was compacted to 6 inches. The front right side has a 2 foot area that is missing and then caught on fire, and yet my air bags didn't deploy. Either the passenger or drivers. The car was still under warranty and had no problems with the air bags that could be seen or checked. This is very trubbling to me.

Filed Sep 15, 1999 · Engine · IN · fire

Car was parked in garage and caught on fire after being parked for about 15 minutes. It had been running fine. If we would not have been able to pull it out of the garage with my husband's truck, the house would have burnt as well. We are not sure what caused the fire, but flames were coming underneath the front of the car and the hood was buckling because it was so hot. It was very scary!

Filed Mar 3, 1999 · Fuel system · NC · fire

As I stopped at a gas station and attempted to fill up with gas, my jacket sleeve caught on fire from flames coming out from the tank. The tank never exploded, adn we were able to put the fire out with an extinguisher.

Filed Aug 14, 1996 · Electrical, Engine · MI · fire

While driving vehicle, got off work, vehicle started jerking, noticed smoke coming from hood, someone noticed fire and told driver to get out of vehicle, fire dept was called to extinguished the flames.

Filed Jul 16, 1996 · Electrical · IN · fire

Vehicle caught on fire underhood while driving, all wires underhood burned out, all wiring harness to be replaced, speed 30 MPH, no warning.

Filed Jan 4, 1996 · Lights · TX · fire

The car set on fire from a short in light rear bulb. Tt

Filed Apr 25, 1995 · Fuel system · MN · fire

Flames around opening of gas tank. Please describe. Tt