NHTSA Complaint #10160345 — 1999 DODGE STRATUS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED GREY SMOKE ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WAS ALERTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. A REPRESENTATIVE OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON 06/04/06, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FEEDBACK. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER DATED 06/09/06 THAT DECLARED DAIMLER CHRYSLER WOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE INCURRED DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. A CARD WAS ALSO RECEIVED FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER ALERTING THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT RECALL E23 ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON 06/19/06, A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE FOR THE VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE.