2005 Toyota Corolla: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 3, 2016 · Engine · 2 miles · PR · fire

While driving on pr highway, within 10 mts, the car's engine stopped having enough time to park the car on the emergency side road. When I saw smoke coming out the hood, I grabbed by belongings and walked away from the car. While I'm calling my husband I saw the car in flames. On dec. 28, 2015 I submitted an investigation with toyota of pr in relation to the fire on my car on dec 24, 2015. Until this date I haven't received any response regarding their case # [xxx]. When I call customer service critical cases coordinator, her only response is that I will receive a written notice from head office. I've being 2 month without a car to get to work and I feel frustrated in the manner toyota has treated my situation even when I authorized them to pick up and examine the car after the incident. By the way I still have the burned car in front of my house in case they need additional data. I will appreciate if you could guide me as to my rights or options being that the car was in excellent conditions and I expected some kind of reward or voucher from toyota to at least help me obtain another car from them. Sincerely [xxx] , [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed May 6, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 49,875 miles · CA · fire

October 2013, my daughter was driving her 2005 toyota corolla in southern ca, when smoke started to fill the car. The smoke was coming from the driver side master window switch. The smoke lasted a few minutes, and a burning smell of plastic also filled the car. The car was still able to drive, but the engine light came on. When I took a look at the switch, none of the switches at the master control were working and all felt completely loose. I pulled the switch panel away from the door and could see how the plastic was completely melted and had burned holes through the switch. I contacted the dealer and all they could say was that there was not a recall on this VIN# and they would not take care of the problem, but they were aware of problems on other VIN #'s in the same model. There is obviously a fire hazard with this car and toyota knows about it. What does it take for a large company to take ownership of a known problem? I recently called them again to see if they have issued a recall and still have not. Now I am even more upset!

Filed Feb 20, 2013 · Electrical · 120,825 miles · FL

I put the key in the ignition, started the car and turn the heater. A couple of second went by I started smelling something burning. That made me turn off the car and get out of the car. When I got out the car I didn't notice any smoke coming from the engine. A thought came to mind that maybe it was another car passing by. So as I just got in my car, within 15 seconds of driving out of the parking garage I noticed smoke coming out the power window switch and within the window cracks. I was so startled and didn't know what to do. I put the driver side window down, stopped the car and call 911. This incident could have caused me to have an accident due to the traffic and because I thought my car was on fire. The fire dept. Checked my car, they smelled the odor and told me just to take it to the shop. When I got to the toyota dealership they informed me there wasn't a recall. So I decided to research it and I found a article stating that the power-window switch on the driver's side didn't have grease applied evenly during production, causing friction in the switch and sometimes smoke, according to toyota. Http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-57529367/massive-toyota-recall-due-to-faulty-window-switch/ which stated recalls due to the similar problem I encountered. I showed it to the toyota serviceman and he came to about 30 minutes later and stated that there is nothing they could do. On february 19th, 2013 I contacted toyota corporate office and they informed me that my corolla VIN number wasn't chosen for the recall. Every owner that owns a toyota listed should have gotten a letter informing them about the recall no matter what VIN number was chosen!

Filed Nov 1, 2010 · Acceleration · 69,889 miles · VA · crash

I was pulling into a supermarket parking place at approx 5mph speed, I applied the brakes in order to stop . Instead of stopping car started to accelerate (happened at 3-4 second), jumped over cement barrier (curb), hit the sign, colliding into another car. At the time of acceleration the smoke came out from the front of the car. I steered away, car slowed down and I was able to drive back to parking area. The failure mileage was 70k. A police report was filed and is available if needed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. I called to toyota and they promised to get back to me with the steps of how to proceed further.

Filed Dec 17, 2008 · Electrical · GA · fire

On december 11, 2008 my daughter drove my car to her part time job, she called and told me that the car stopped on her as she pulled into the parking lot of the bank, but started back up. That afternoon upon leaving the bank, the car stopped again. She called and stated that she saw smoke coming from the car. With in minutes the car was in flames. The fire department was called, but they were unable to put out the flames before the car completely burned, leaving bare metal, all the windows were shattered.. The flames were so hot that window of the store broke.

Filed Jun 27, 2007 · VA

(problem - clutch) purchased 2005 toyota corolla xrs in 08/04 (no longer made). Taken it regularly to have it svc'd at charles barker toyota laskin rd - virginia beach, va. I've had to take it back a few times in btwn the regular sched svc. Approx 39,123 miles. Purchased the platinum extended warranty plan. 10nov06 I paid $281.27 for the 30,000 miles svc, because I was told that I needed it. 11apr07 I paid $252.90 for the 35,000 miles svc, again because I was told by the dealer that I needed. I do not drive my car in a way that the clutch would've burned out in 3yrs. Online (toyotafinancial.com)/new vehicle protection plan comparison/manual transmission- it shows everything that is covered by the warranty. There are items listed for the clutch that is covered by the warranty. When I called about the warranty (purchased through toyota) they stated that nothing was covered. Which I don't understand. Because they're stating 2 different things. If the platinum coverage online is not correct, then that's false advertisement. Fidelity warranty services, inc. P.o. Box 8567 deerfield beach, florida 33443 1‑800‑327‑5172 contract nbr. 38848636. I don't expect them to cover the whole amount that was quoted. But the either the dealer or the warranty should help cover some of the expense. The maintenace of the car has been kept up. There's no reason why the clutch should've went out in 3yrs. I was told by toyota dealership - asst. Svc mgr to call the warranty company. When I called the warranty company, I was told that I wasn't suppose to be calling them. So I'm getting the run around & the whole amount is going to be put me regardless. Which is unfair. It has never been hard to shift into gears, but for the past weeks when you go into 5th & 6th gear (there was no griding sound as if it had problems going into gear), the car seem as if it was unable to pick up speed & when you pressed on the gas the motor just sounded louder & there was a burning smell.

Filed Nov 9, 2005 · Brakes · 2,363 miles · CA

When light turned green consumer proceeded to apply gas pedal and 2005 corolla barely moved. Consumer then smelled something burning. *ts when the consumers wife parked and exited the vehicle, she noticed the right front wheel was burning and smoke was coming out of the wheel and was red. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Upon inspection, they did confirm there was smoke coming from the passenger side wheel. The mechanic removed the front wheels and found the right front brake pads discolored and the rotors were deeply scored from the heat. The brake booster push rod were found protruding into the brake master and the issue was with the caliper . On oct 21, 2005 the consumer experienced the same failure again.