NHTSA Complaint #10139840 — 2000 KIA SPORTAGE

DT: THE C OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORADIC. ON 10-14-05 THEIR CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND THEN SHE SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. ONCE SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF THE CAR FINISHED SMOKING FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN IT QUIT SMOKING THE CONTACT TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. SHE WAS NOT YET SURE OF THE DAMAGE DONE BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT LOOKED AT IT. . SHE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. HER HUSBAND THOUGHT IT WAS OF ELECTRICAL NATURE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ,A KIA DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. THEY REFERRED HER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER.*AK