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2010 Prius Caught Fire

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by savany71, Nov 20, 2014.

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  1. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    IV
    Just the other day, my 2010 Prius caught fire and almost took the house with it. Fire started in the engine bay but the fire marshall can't determine the source or where it started from since the fire burned so hot and melted everything in the engine compartment including hood, bumper, wiring, and you name it. I'm thankful nobody got hurt but I'm really irritated with the whole situation. I've done all my maintenance at local Toyota dealership and recently did the 90K service there as well. Car had just about 92K mile on it. IMG_1469.JPG IMG_1450.jpg IMG_1453.jpg IMG_1452.jpg
     
    #1 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
  2. caedward

    caedward Junior Member

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    Could the fire have started in the inverter?
     
    #2 caedward, Nov 20, 2014
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Was it driven right before the fire started?
     
    #3 JC91006, Nov 20, 2014
  4. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    Not yet, fire marshall can't determine it but I'm still waiting to hear back and both the home and auto insurance companies are looking at it.

    Yes it was driven to take my older son to school, my wife says there was a faint smell, like when you turn the heater on after it was not used some time, but car functioned normally with no issue. By the time I came outside, engine bay was fully engaged.

    Here is the link to the youtube video I posted of the aftermath.
     
    #4 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 4, 2014
    matt b. likes this.
  5. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    I agree at least everyone in your family and neighbors are ok the car can be replaced that does look awful though and I would like to know where it started as well last month we turned on our heat and had a faint smell as well I wonder if it's not something that's in the heating element or even the air conditioning element
     
    #5 matt b., Nov 20, 2014
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I smell a recall coming
     
    #6 JC91006, Nov 20, 2014
  7. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    I would love to find out as well. I was giving this car to my older son when he got his license next year but I'm glad it happened now than when he might have driving.
     
    #7 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
  8. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    That will buff right out :cool:

    Wow, thank your maker it didn't take the house with it!
    Imagine if it was parked inside the garage?

    I would expect Toyota Corporate to at least look into this?
     
    #8 ny_rob, Nov 20, 2014
  9. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    I will be calling Toyota here shortly unless they call me after viewing this or my youtube video and social media postings.
     
    #9 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
    cycledrum likes this.
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think you just go online and submit something online to NHTSA. But I would think the fire department and auto insurance company would do that as well.
     
    #10 JC91006, Nov 20, 2014
  11. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    I have no idea where the fire started, I'd like to know.

    Yeah I might do that as well so that it is on record in case there is a pattern.

    I was asked by the car rental person If I wanted a Prius as a rental, You can guess what my response was to that. LOL!
     
    #11 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 4, 2014
    jhsteel82 likes this.
  12. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    Model:
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    Plus a congressional hearing!!!
     
    #12 milkman44, Nov 20, 2014
    savany71 likes this.
  13. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Wow I'm glad everyone is ok here. I will definitely be following this with interest.
     
    #13 randommonks, Nov 20, 2014
  14. prev93

    prev93 Member

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    Sorry to hear about your disaster. I think all of us Prius owners would like to know exactly what the cause was. The whole thing is quite scary.
     
    #14 prev93, Nov 20, 2014
    cwerdna likes this.
  15. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    I don't normally post anything online but this is important enough to do so. If I learn anything new, I will post it here.
     
    #15 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
  16. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Well, at least you ended up with a lower front suspension...................
     
    #16 mrbigh, Nov 20, 2014
  17. savany71

    savany71 Junior Member

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    It is so low, it is touching the ground.
     
    #17 savany71, Nov 20, 2014
  18. CARspec

    CARspec Junior Member

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    Am I seeing that the radiator melted?

    Wow.
     
    #18 CARspec, Nov 20, 2014
  19. Oskar

    Oskar Member

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    Wow. Without question Toyota should be contacted, and they should be involved. How long ago in terms of time was it serviced by Toyota? I would think that could potentially be factor.
     
    #19 Oskar, Nov 20, 2014
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder how many cars, 2010 and newer, spontaneously combust every year?
     
    #20 bisco, Nov 20, 2014
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