NHTSA Complaint #10130608 — 2005 CHRYSLER 300

DT: CONTACT PURCHASED A 2005 CHRYSLER 300 LIMITED EDITION SEDAN ON 7-27-05. HE DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY HIS WIFE PARKED VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE SHE WORKED. 30 MINUTES LATER, THE MANAGER OF THE BUILDING CALLED CONTACT WIFE'S OFFICE INFORMING HER THERE WAS A CAR ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE CAR PARKED NEXT TO CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, AS WELL AS 2 OR 3 OTHER CARS WERE DAMAGED. HE CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER, AND THEY WERE GOING TO SEND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THE DEALER AGREED TO GIVE CONTACT A LOANER VEHICLE. CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DEFECT WITHIN THE CAR PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT. CONTACT HAD PICTURES OF THE CAR. HE SAID THAT DEALER INSTALLED A PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM WITH AN IGNITION KILL, A REMOTE START FEATURE, COULD START THE CAR WITHOUT THE KEY. A LO-JACK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED. ALSO, THE CAR INCLUDED A NAVIGATION SYSTEM, POWER ADJUSTED GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, SELF SEALING TIRES, AND SIDE/CURTAIN AIR BAGS . HE PURCHASED A AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 7 YEARS,100,00 MILES BUMPER TO BUMPER. *AK