Smart for two engine fires

[grober]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States is opening a preliminary evaluation into the 2008-2009 Smart ForTwo, including the Cabriolet, after eight reports of engine fires.

Smart ForTwo engine fires prompt NHTSA investigation

 

[Will]

Dramatic moment woman escapes Mercedes before car bursts into flames in Weybridge - Get Surrey

Different car I know, but I passed this the other day (it was well alight by then!) - is this a one off?

 

[whitenemesis]

Almost certainly for that particular car ...

 

[whitenemesis]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States is opening a preliminary evaluation into the 2008-2009 Smart ForTwo, including the Cabriolet, after eight reports of engine fires.

Smart ForTwo engine fires prompt NHTSA investigation

8 cars out of nearly 43,000 over a mileage range of 29k to 86k...

I wonder how many Ford engine fires reported?

 

[grober]

I would guess that many engine fires from various manufacturers go unreported. Perhaps the compact nature of the Smart with the engine in very close proximity to the occupants played a part? That and the fact that “All eight incidents involve severe fires that rapidly engulfed the vehicles,” NHTSA reported.
The fuel filters are known to split. Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia
Combine that with a close proximity of tank and a hot engine as a source of ignition may explain it. [ Contrast the difference between the conventional car layout of front engine rear / midrear fuel tank]

 

[whitenemesis]

And the Smart being plastic?