NHTSA Complaint #10107843 — 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A 2 LANE ROAD WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE DEFROST VENT. SMOKE INCREASED OVER THE NEXT 45 SECONDS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL OVER DUE TO LARGE DITCHES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ENGINE DIED AFTER 35 SECONDS OF SMOKE. I WAS ABLE TO TURN A CORNER AND GET OFF THE ROAD. AFTER EXITING THE TRUCK A FIRE CONSUMED THE ENTIRE TRUCK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME 10 MIN LATER AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE ASST. FIRE CHIEF MENTIONED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE HEATING VENT SYSTEM. I CAN PROVIDE NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF THE CHIEF UPON REQUEST. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TAKEN ONE WEEK TO RETRIEVE THE TRUCK FROM THE IMPOUND LOT AND CHEVY'S PRODUCT LIABILITY DIVISION HAS NOT HELP WITH ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY MYSELF INCLUDING $3,800.00 IN TOOL PURCHASES WHICH WERE DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. HELP GETTING A NEW TRUCK OR CAR RENTAL EXPENSES. MY INSURANCE ONLY PAYS 30 PER DAY MY COST ON A TRUCK IS 55.PER DAY. THE CHEVY'S PRODUCT LIABILITY HAS BEEN RUDE AND VERY MATTER OF FACT SPEAKING THAT THE WILL ONLY COVER THE NADA VALUE ON MY TRUCK REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE NOTE IS WITH MY BANK. ANY EXPENSES INCURRED WILL ONLY BE LIMITED TO WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAYS. ON BOTH TOOLS AND AUTO. *NM