I was driving on 60 freeway east, Temperature meter goes up high then down, but no warning sign came out. Checked the radiator is not that hot and can be touched with bare hands. Continue driving then "VSC off "turn on, Mannual said OK to drive. So continue driving, then some click sound noted from front wheels. Get off freeway, step on brake for red light. Battery light turn on, car not responding, push the car thru the cross street, smoke came out from hood. Other car driver stop and call me to get off the car, because fire under the car. Call 911, and front engine burned in flame. Don't know what cause it. I thought it had to do with VSC, Lexus will response within 10 days, but my insurance told me in 2 days that the car is gone. I have one more Lexus(2007) at home. But will not buy anymore Lexus. Car burned on 11-26-2007 0:15-0:30 AM

Not intend to give detail, but it is scary. What if I did not hear the click sound (listen to music). Be careful, anything can happen!

 

Wow. All this in a first post.

 

This can happen to any vehicle. Do not bash the brand until you at least get the cause of the fire. I have seen it happen the a honda that had a power steering fluid leak (power steering fluid CAN ignite under certain circumstances).

 

Car 2001 LS 430 nav/ml 66000 miles

I'm waiting for the report from insurance company and lexus. was planning to buy more next year, but will wait till the result comes out. I love my ls, can't believe it is gone.

 

Did you check your oil recently and forgot to take the paper tower out of the engine compartment. When was the last time you look under the hood?

 

no, and last check under the hood was about 40 min before smoke got out.
Should have the result in these days by insurance company.

 

When you say the last check under the hood was 40 minutes before this happened... was any work being done to the car? Why was it being checked? Who was checking it?

 

That is the question you should look into. Not too many cars caught on fire like that...

 

Lexus isnt perfect but, this is something I can truly say Ive never heard of happening to a Lexus. I know, I know, it probably has happened but, Ive never heard of this. Sounds to me like if some work was done 40 minutes before the incident, its not definite but probable that the work done before the fire was the cause.

Also, all the warning before sound funny to me the different things that occurred, to name one the vsc coming on and of. Dont want to name all the issues before the fire but the car could have been tampered with or a wiring issue is to blame. Aftermarket work is always something to be sure is done by a pro. If not this can occur also.

Whatever the issue there are reasons to never buy any car but fires have a certain reason when they happen, this isnt a typical Lexus issue, again Ive never heard of this.

Thank you,

T.G.N.M

 

if the radiator was cool too the touch it could just mean the thermostat is not opening hence the overheating...

 

Last check was done by myself, check if it was overheat. All work done at dealer otherwise. Thanks for all the reply, I just want to alert you guys. Did not want to go deep into this, as investigation is underway.

 

Any updates on this ? photos perhaps ?

 

Car is totaled, inspection report pending. Don't know how to post pictures. Will update the result later.

 

You can email the pictures to me. Check your pm for my email addy

 

So it is a total lost. What do you think the investigation will report? They only go real deep into an investigation if there was a fatality involved. this is just money, the insurance will just make sure that you did not burn the car to collect the insurance money. beside that, they won't spend any more money and time to find out what/why the car burned. It is up to you to think back to what was done to the car before this happen. is there a rag, paper or something that is easily ignite under high temperature. Could it be that the engine was work on a few days or week before this incident, where the mechanic did not tighten up a fuel line... a rag soak with oil stuck between the wheel wel and the engine...

Why don't you want to go too deep into this issue so we know what to look for in our car?