NHTSA Complaint #10169673 — 2004 DODGE DURANGO

WHILE TRAVELING WE RETURNED TO THE HOTEL FROM DINNER APPROX. 9:10 PM LOCAL TIME. AT 11:15 PM WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE FRONT DESK INFORMING US OUR VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. GOING OUT TO THE DURANGO A POLICE OFFICER WAS EXTINGUISHING A FIRE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND FINISHED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE CHIEF AND VISUAL EVIDENCE CLEARLY INDICATED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE PANEL AND CENTER CONSOLE, BROKE OUT THE WINDSHIELD AND SET OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG, AND MELTED THE INTERIOR TRIM AND HEADLINER AS FAR BACK AS THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE IS LIKELY A TOTAL LOSS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ISSUE COVERED BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL C43 BUT NO NOTICE OF THE RECALL HAS EVER BEEN RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED FROM A DODGE DEALER IN SUMMER 2005 AND HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AT LEAST ONCE. *JB