NHTSA Complaint #10009847 — 1997 DODGE RAM 2500

ON TRIP TO CAMPING GROUND IN SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, STARTED TO SMELL "HOT BRAKES" ALTHOUGH I HAD NOT BEEN USING THEM AT THAT POINT. THOUGHT BRAKE SHOE MAY BE DRAGGING OR THAT IT COULD BE ANOTHER MOTORIST. APPROACHED CAMP GROUND WITH GROWING CERTAINTY IT HAD TO BE MY TRUCK. AFTER PARKING IN CAMPING SPACE AND SHUTTING DOWN MOTOR, I NOTICED SMOKE ISSUING FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND FLAMES LICKING UP FIREWALL/TOE BOARD. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT FIREWALL INSULATION HAD FALLEN DOWN ONTO EXHAUST PIPE AND STARTED ON FIRE BETWEEN THE INSULATION AND THE TOE BOARD/FIREWALL. SOME EXHAUST "HEADER WRAP" WAS ON THE EXHAUST PIPE BUT IT HAD LOOSENED. THE AREA OF CONTACT WITH THE INSULATION WAS COVERED WITH THE "HEADER WRAP" BUT IT DID NO GOOD. I WAS UNABLE TO PUSH THE REMAINING INSULATION PIECE OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SO THE RETURN TRIP HOME *TWO DAYS LATER) WAS VERY NERVE WRECKING. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS IMPROPERLY DONE. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***762404