1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 23, 2010 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · TX · crash · fire

I am in army & while driving to work one morning at 5:30 am my van slowly started accelerating the more I pressed the brake the faster the van went, by the time I reached the street the van was up to 50 MPH I was afraid so I call my husband, told him the situation & the street I was traveling, he was on the way. By then I was up to 60-65 MPH, I called 911 stated the situation, asking for help & to have someone on the phone just in case. I almost hit a bus, looking ahead a few blocks I saw back-to-back traffic starting to build-up, I did not want to hurt myself or anyone else, then going 65-70 MPH I looked over and saw a park I turned the van into the park & to stop it I decided to crash the van into a tree. I turned toward the tree and jumped out; the van crushed into the side of the tree & continued to keep going. I ran after it as I saw the van jump the curb and going 70mph towards the row of homes across the street crushed into a tree head on. The van engine after all that continued to roar as if trying to keep going. I flagged down a van and recalled the police to let them know where the van had stopped. When the fire department came & turned the van off I was told the van had been on fire it was trying to stop itself but was being over powered, the tow guy came & towed the van away. This is a blessing know one was hurt, but something needs to be done about this, & for the auto company not to investigate is a tragedy. What are they saying numerous people will have to die, before they will admit there maybe a problem? Just to save money if that is the case shame on them? I am here by grace, but I can't help but think of those possibly in the same situation but not alive to tell their story. If this is what is happening god bless the roads we drive on that the next person might think to do what I did. Thank you for letting me posts my story.

Filed Apr 16, 2010 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · OH · fire

Just pulling out of the driveway when smoke started coming out of interior vents. Turned off van got out and flames started coming from under the hood. Total loss of vehicle and contents. No injuries sustained. Miles high but not actual,replaced motor with 80,000 mile motor when we bought the vehicle. Newer engine came from another olds silhouette that had a dash fire.

Filed Jul 15, 2004 · Electrical · 31,000 miles · FL · fire

While vehicle was parked it caught on fire. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the engine burnt up due to an electrical fire. The vehicle was a total loss.

Filed Oct 14, 2003 · Engine · VT · fire

While driving noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Moved to side of road. Checked under the hood ,and noticed coolant was leaking onto the intake manifold. Took vehicle to dealership to check out leakage problem.

Filed Oct 4, 1999 · Electrical, Seat belts · OH

My family and I were traveling when there was an explosion under the front passenger seat. There were sparks and smoke and the smell of something burning. I lost control temporarily and then I pulled over and we all got out of the car. The instrument panel went haywire meaning that some lights went out while other lights came on. The "airbag" and "service engine soon" lights came on. The compass when out. I took the car in to be serviced.at that time I was informed of another car like ours was brought in for the same problem. I was later told(1 week) the computer told the satbelt retractor to explode. They claim to have fixed the problem however, I feel that the safety of my family eand I are in serious jeopardy if we continue to drive this car.