NHTSA Complaint #10109882 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

WE WERE DRIVING EAST ON I-90, JUST EAST OF GARY, IN. OUR SUV CAUGHT FIRE, WE COULD SMELL SMOKE, AND WE MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP AT EXIT 17. ANOTHER CAR PULLED UP BEHIND US, AND THE DRIVER SAID HE SAW FLAMES UNDER THE CAR. MY WIFE AND I RAN FROM THE CAR IN FEAR. THE CAR HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS, AND WE FELT OUR LIVES WERE IN JEOPARDY. I TOLD THE TOLL BOOTH ATTENDANT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM HER, AND SHE VOLUNTEERED TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I PUT OUT THE FIRE THAT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT AXLE. WE CALLED OUR STATE FARM AGENT TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE SUV WAS TOWED TO GREGORY DODGE IN HIGHLAND PARK, IL TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE, WHERE IT IS STILL BEING EVALUATED. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, THE FRONT AXLE AND DRIVE SHAFT DISINTEGRATED. *JB