NHTSA Complaint #10151115 — 2002 ISUZU AXIOM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. SECONDS LATER, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND FELT EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVACUATED ALL PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 20 SECONDS AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND AFTERWARD PROVIDED WRITTEN REPORTS. THE FIRE CHIEF'S WRITTEN REPORT GAVE A MECHANICAL ENGINE FAILURE AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WERE REPORTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V466000, CONCERNING THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL INFORMATION STATES THAT GASOLINE CONTAMINATED WITH SILICONE AFFECTED THE FUEL PUMP WITH TINY PIN HOLES AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONTACT IS LOCATED ONE MILE FROM ONE OF THE SELECTED STATES MENTIONED AND HAD PURCHASED GAS IN ONE OF THE STATES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT.