Hi All,
I thought I'd through this out on the web and see what comes back...

The short story:

I bought a Race Red 2017 SuperCrew FX4 with a 3.5EB at the end of May. Fast forward two months to Saturday, July 29th. I hit a car in front of me at a speed of 30-40 mph. The front airbags deployed. I moved to the side of the road. Within 2 minutes the truck was on fire. It started at the bottom of the driver side B pillar. Between the initial collision when the truck dialed 911 to the time it was fully engulfed was less than 10 minutes. Melted it down. It was something to hear the tires, shocks, windows, and whatever else popping in the fire. I am waiting on my insurance to give me a replacement value. Funny thing is they said they wouldn't be going to Ford. Possibly a seat belt pretensioner issue? That seems to be the consensus so far.

-Steve

 

I've been 'lucky enough' to see a few car fires - they are so,etching with all the sounds and smells.
Seems that once in fire this is what happens. Aluminum just melts at a lower temp than the steel. But even if it didn't it would have still been a loss because the interior and engine compartment would have been in the same shape.
Glad everyone was able to get out safely!

 

I see white walls are making a comeback...

Anyway, to those who would argue that the body panels melting pose a problem, even when a steel vehicle burns the panels are all worthless due to what the heat does to high strength steel. The only value in a burnt vehicle is in it's weight alone.

 

Stunning. That is a sight for sure! Sorry for your loss, but it sounds like you're OK.

 

Glad you're okay.

Ford doesn't deal in replacement values, but I hope you had gap insurance! Once in a while insurance companies would actually call the dealership and ask for a value. Frankly we wanted nothing to do with such things and I always just directed them to KBB or NADA. They know those numbers are inflated though, based on trading in on a retail figure, and they were trying to pay out as little as possible.

 

Wow Forced!!!! Glad you are okay!!!!!
Curious how a seatbelt pretensioner could be the culprit....
...
Man that WAS a beautiful truck!

 

In reviewing your pics again - It does not appear that the truck itself suffered and foundational structure issues in the crash. The suspension looks to be in their proper places and it does not appear that the bed and cab had contacted each other. I thought that generally when airbags deploy, that system kills the engine and fuel pump. You said you pulled it off to the side of the road - was it still running?

 

Glad you are OK. Hope it all gets worked out.
This reminds me of John Candy and Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

 

You can see the white lettering on the back tires. The fronts were not white walls. That's what is on the inside.

Thanks

Thanks

The pretensioner fires a powder explosion to lock up the belt so it doesn't slip.

As soon I pulled over I killed the engine. I even put the keys in my pocket. The fire started inside the cab at the bottom of the driver side B Pillar.

Someone sent me that video clip of them talking to the police officer the next day.

 

Easy now, I was just kidding

 

wow. Just glad you got out safely. Car fires sure burn hot.

 

Well...

After debating over another F150 or a Silverado, or maybe even a Tundra we now have this...

 

Sweet!!!!

New truck Reps sent!

 

Thanks! first thing on the mod list is a fire extinguisher...

 

Yeah no joke!!!!
I have one I'll be mounting in my truck too!!!!