Oldsmobile Silhouette fire or smoke problems

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 Feb 8, 2006 · Electrical · 86,333 miles · NC · fire

Dt*: the contact stated while driving in normal conditions, the electrical wiring in the rear of the vehicle smoldered. However, no flames were visually seen. Prior to this incident, the smell of smoke was present while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local independent repair shop. The repair personnel discovered the receptor board was damaged and the ground wire had completely burned. The manufacturer was informed although no repairs were made.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Electrical · 178,425 miles · IL · fire

Dt: contact states while driving gradually lost engine power to where it would not go over 50 MPH. It continued to lose power. He saw and smelled smoke inside. He turned around and saw smoke coming from the floor right in front of the center seat. He pulled over, and got out in an area where no one would be in danger. By the time he got out of the car and pulled the key out there were flames coming from the passenger side. Within 25 minutes the car burned up.

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 Mar 20, 2003 · Electrical · NM · fire

The vehicle was parked when the interior caught on fire. The consumer had previously experienced a problem with the electrical system.

Filed Aug 20, 2002 · Electrical · NV · fire

This fire was a malfunction of a factory installed part the only service done to the vehicle was by findley olds techs and we have all the paperwork to prove that findley knew there was a problem with fuses blowing and were told it would not start a fire and not be concerned just put a new fuse in when one blows the vehicle is out of warranty but the teck mngr said this van should have had another 10 years life ...why cant olds and findley stand behind their product a fire under the dash could only happen if something malfunctioned I was luck I wasnt killed ...I was driving down the street at the time of the fire everyone seems to just want to pretend this didnt happen why wont someone take me serious and fix this vehicle that was suppose to be the top of the line olds minivan I just read recently that other olds vans had caught fire as well is this a pattern ......please help me !!!!.....im not a c omplainer but I have a $23,000.00 sitting in my driveway that they wont stand behind ...you may inspect it all you want please do its here and waiting thanks for anything you can do for me ... I feel ripped off!!!.!!! I always thought olds stood behind their products I guess they really dont...im very sorry for them!!!!! .ak

Filed Aug 31, 2001 · Seats · IL · fire

Drivers seat had caught on fire underneath the seat when two wires had a short circuit. Fire was only under the seat, it did not spread any where else.

Filed Jun 26, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · PA · fire

While driving vehicle, it didn't have any speed. While sitting in vehicle, vehicle exploded with flames coming from driver's side. Also, consumer stated muffler burnt hole in gas tank. Contacted dealer and dealer bought vehicle back. *ak consumer stated service engine light would also illuminate when the vehicle would lose power, mechanics found a hole in the muffler had burned a hole in the plastic gas tank.