[ajitsuke]

My smart caught on fire yesterday. Was there a recall I missed?

 

[jwight]

No recall, but not all that rare:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f179/fire-51082/?highlight=fire+recall

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f4/fire-i-m-okay-smart-too-44179/?highlight=fire+recall

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/fo...p-flames-ontario-35255/?highlight=fire+recall

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f4/fire-re-sam-unit-22970/?highlight=fire+recall

There's even a website dedicated to smart fires: Beware Smart Car Bursts Into Flames Dangerous Death Trap

 

[jetfuel]

...there was a 451...that I know off here in the USA...several worldwide...

Jetfuel....do tell...year...where it started....

 

[ajitsuke]

I was cruising along the highway when the engine light came on, and I suddenly lost power. I pulled off at the next exit which was about a quarter mile ahead, and stalled on the off ramp. I saw smoke in my rear view mirror, jumped out of the car and saw flames coming from underneath the car in the rear. The photo tells the rest.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-HDjbRpUrxlSHJoUUJaTW5lbFE

 

[1stiski]

Sorry to see that , but glad no one got hurt . Interested in what would of caused this fireball ? Keep us updated .

 

[10470]

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry for your loss, and glad there were no injuries.

 

[papermaker]

Well that SUCKS!

 

[jimvw57]

last one we saw similar to that, the car had just been serviced and they found a rag was left on the motor that fell up against the exhaust and caught fire. Mine was an electrical fire and started in the SAM and was dripping melted plastic on my feet before I could get stopped.

On the same note, my son's Grand Prix gt also caught fire so it is not that uncommon for cars to catch fire.

 

[Niteshooter]

Yikes, sorry to hear this as well. Also wondering what happened as I also drive a 451. Think I'll put one of our little halon extinguishers in the smart.

 

[Niteshooter]

last one we saw similar to that, the car had just been serviced and they found a rag was left on the motor that fell up against the exhaust and caught fire. Mine was an electrical fire and started in the SAM and was dripping melted plastic on my feet before I could get stopped.

On the same note, my son's Grand Prix gt also caught fire so it is not that uncommon for cars to catch fire.

That's true, I carry an extinguisher in every one of our vehicles.

 

[smark]

You really lucky, you got out of that car. Count your blessings. Must been a electrical fire, combined with fuel. Your insurance should cover the damage, plus your deductible. Very rare situation the cause of that fire?

 

[sokoloff]

That's true, I carry an extinguisher in every one of our vehicles.

Not a bad idea, but in lots of cases, that fire extinguisher will be more useful to a fire in someone else's car. Many times if it is your own car, you will not be able or have time to get it out for your own car's fire. And it is certainly wise to say "the hell with it" and save yourself rather than stay in a burning car too long.

Len
2014 EV

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I was cruising along the highway when the engine light came on, and I suddenly lost power. I pulled off at the next exit which was about a quarter mile ahead, and stalled on the off ramp. I saw smoke in my rear view mirror, jumped out of the car and saw flames coming from underneath the car in the rear. The photo tells the rest.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-HDjbRpUrxlSHJoUUJaTW5lbFE

Huh, that story is amazingly similar to what happened to my 451.

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f353/guys-did-i-just-kill-my-car-125785/

In the end, after I got the 453 I continued investigating what happened with my 451. Judging by the charred insulation and the melted wires, my engine did in fact catch on fire. Why it stopped is beyond me, maybe the oil was the accelerant and once that was burned away the fire went with it.

But I was able to get my little guy back on the road after some time in the burn ward.

Sorry about your car, it always makes me cry to see burned, crashed, ruined smarties.

 

[Niteshooter]

Not a bad idea, but in lots of cases, that fire extinguisher will be more useful to a fire in someone else's car. Many times if it is your own car, you will not be able or have time to get it out for your own car's fire. And it is certainly wise to say "the hell with it" and save yourself rather than stay in a burning car too long.

Len
2014 EV

Yeah I've emptied several on other people's car fires. In one case it bought us just enough time to extricate the occupants of the vehicle before the car was fully involved.

Only had one electrical fire on an old Toyota but having the extinguisher attached to the front base of my drivers seat I was able to grab it and smother the fire before it took hold. Engine fires would be another story. Jeep is attached to the roll bar behind the drivers seat. They don't do a lot of good in the trunk.....

 

[ElementalDragon]

I may be mistaken, but weren't there also issues with the insulation between the engine area and the "firewall" somehow falling apart and catching fire after extended contact with the engine/exhaust?

 

[jimvw57]

You really lucky, you got out of that car. Count your blessings. Must been a electrical fire, combined with fuel. Your insurance should cover the damage, plus your deductible. Very rare situation the cause of that fire?

Smart has a safety feature that unlocked all the doors so we could get out, and pull our stuff out the back before it got too 'hot'.



what was left of the SAM

and yes, I carry a fire extinguisher. Mtn Dew does not work well for putting out an electrical fire.

 

[jimvw57]

I may be mistaken, but weren't there also issues with the insulation between the engine area and the "firewall" somehow falling apart and catching fire after extended contact with the engine/exhaust?

I believe the insulation is non-flammable. the insulation falling down will cause problems with the alternator and the belt.