NHTSA Complaint #10129485 — 2004 KIA SEDONA

AFTER PARKING VAN AFTER A SHORT TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 2 TENTHS OF A MILE THE VAN WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND DOORS WERE LOCKED, FOUR HOURES LATER SOMEONE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VAN. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE VAN. AFTER A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, IT WAS NOTICED BE ME THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS GOING TO THE FUSE PANEL AS WELL AS THE FUSE PANEL WAS MELTED AND SMOLDERING. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WAS PLAYING AND THE DASH LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE DOOR BUZZER WAS BUZZING, ALL WITHOUT THE BEING IN THE IGNITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO UNHOOK THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO KILL POWER TO THE VAN. KIA MOTERS CAME AND GOT THE VAN AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY AND KIA MOTORS CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS NOT AN WARRENTY ISSUE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A WIRING FIRE AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY FREAK ACT OF NATURE OR NEGLEGIENCE OF ME THE OWNER. KIA SAYS THAT IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. KIA SAID TO TAKE PICTURES AND MAIL THEM TO THEM AND TURN IN A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. WE HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS FIRES JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT OCCURED ON MY VAN ON THE INTERNET.