When the driver started the vehicle the dashboard caught on fire and the doors automatically locked. Somehow the driver was able to get out of the vehicle and the fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
1996 Honda Accord: fire, smoke or burning smell
5 of the 472 complaints about the 1996 Honda Accord describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 7 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The front balancer shaft seal blew and oil gushed out of the engine in less than ten minutes. My wiife and I had just made it off the interstate when we noticed the smell of oil. Upon parking, we saw oil pouring out of engine. No warning lights were on and no smoke came from the engine. I was told by mechanic that the seal is defective but honda doesn't have a full recall and will only fix the seal when it blows which could cause permanent engine damage if the engine is not stopped immediately. I've done research on this problem and others have this same problem in the us. It seems the seal is definetly deffective, but honda won't repair it until the problem happens. Of course, I was not notified of the problem until the seal blew. I was informed by honda america that I just missed their reimbursement deadline (january 1, 2003) because my seal blew on january 24, 2003. I think honda should continue to pay for this faulty seal repair since it is a defect they allowed in their vehicles.
A few minutes after leaving a retail business, the businessman called me on my cell phone to advise me there was a large amount of fresh oil where I had parked. I immediately pulled over on the freeway only to find oil gushing out of my engine. I immediately exited the freeway and went to the 7-11 at the top of the exit ramp. I added 4 quarts of oil and drove straight to the honda dealership approximately 5 miles away. By the time I arrived at the dealership all the oil had gushed out again. The dealership said the seal on the front balancer shaft had become dislodged. They said it would cost $750 to repair. The timing belt was full of oil so it too had to be replaced. If it wasn't for the alert businessman and the fluke that I had given him my phone number, I never would have been aware of the problem until either the engine seized up and/or caught on fire. The dealership and the manufacturer seemed unfazed by the potential disaster that I narrowly averted simply by a fluke of chance. This problem should result in a recall to prevent others from getting killed if the car catches on fire and seizes up while driving at highway speeds!!
Consumer was driving and noticed smoke coming from the vents the consumer cut the air conditioner off, and there was cold air coming out of the vents.
Both dual airbags inflated at very low speed; no accident, vehicle hit a bump; speed 5 MPH; smoke came from airbags.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Automatic transmission diagnostic trouble code P0740, P0741 repair tips
- Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1361 and DTC P1381 set - service tip
- Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P1361, tdc sensor and DTC P1381, cyp sensor
- Keyless entry, ceiling light, ignition key beeper logic
- Keyless, ceiling light, ignition key beeper logic
- Information on troubleshooting multiple misire diagnostic trouble codes P0301, P0306)
- Subject on regarding tach fluctuation and/or a/t DTC P0725
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sedan, coupe and wagon passenger vehicles except the dx model and models with v6 engines. The factory installed air conditioner wire harness was improperly routed allowing some wires to rub against each other, eventually causing a short circuit.
- Risk
- The short circuit canpossibly cause the underhood wireing to overheat and smoke, causing a fire in the engine compartment. A short circuit can also result in a blown fuse or dead battery.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles for proper routing of these wires. Any harness improperly routed will be inspected for damage and the routing will be corrected. If any insulation is worn through and the copper wires are exposed, the harness will be replaced. Dealers will also install plastic tubing to protect the harness.
Recall number 98V231000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Honda Accord fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1996 Honda Accord?
5 of 472 owner complaints about the 1996 Honda Accord (1%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Honda Accord?
There is 1 recall and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Honda Accord
Airbag light 55ABS 46No deployment 16Door locks 15Sudden acceleration 12Tire blowout 12Brake failure 11Engine failure 11Check engine light 10Seat belt 8Stalling 8Transmission failure 6
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