NHTSA Complaint #10130143 — 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT

DT: ON 7-11-05 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER DROVE ON AND OFF ALL DAY. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, AND THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KICK THE DOOR OPEN. BOTH PASSENGERS EXITED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER GOT A GALLON OF WATER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WHEN SHE POURED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER'S DOOR THE FIRE WENT OUT, BUT THERE WAS STILL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DOOR. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AREA AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HEATING VENTS. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE HEATER OFF. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WHEN SHE GOT A CD OUT OF THE STEREO IT WAS TOO HOT TO HOLD. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CD IN THE STEREO WAS WET. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED, AND WAS UNDER TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. THERE WAS A COURT PETITION TO HAVE HER HOSPITALIZED IN THE FORENSIC WARD. POLICE TRANSPORTED HER TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL AND HAD SECURITY GUARDS ESCORT HER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEG. SHE CONTACTED MITSUBISHI AND THE INSURANCE AGENCY. *AK *JB