NHTSA Complaint #10172244 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

AT AROUND 8:00 AM ON OCTOBER 12, 2006, THERE WAS A SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION FROM THE DRIVER'S DASHBOARD OF MY 2004 DODGE DURANGO WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE (NOT EVEN TURNED ON). THIS INCIDENT NEARLY BURNED OUR CONDO UNIT WHICH WAS ABOVE THE GARAGE AND ENDANGERED MY WIFE AND KIDS WHO WERE STILL SLEEPING. LUCKILY, MY WIFE AWOKE AND CALLED 911 (INCIDENT REPORT #2006-6223247-000 CCFD CLARK COUNTY). AFTER SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHRYSLER DODGE, THEY SENT AN "INVESTIGATOR" ONLY AFTER 4 DAYS TO TAKE PICTURES; THEY SENT US A LETTER SAYING IT WAS NOT A FACTORY DEFECT AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE. WHEN ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE POSSIBLE CAUSE -THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW (?!?). WE THEN CONSULTED AND ASKED HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIP (INTEGRITY DODGE, LV,NV -SINCE WE GOT THE VEHICLE ONLY A YEAR AGO AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WAS OUR ONLY CAR) THEY SAID THE SAME THING AND INSIST WE CONTACT OUR INSURANCE. WE ASKED THEM WHY WE SHOULD USE OUR INSURANCE WHEN THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE? BESIDES, IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY WERE TO REIMBURSE US IT WOULD BE VERY MUCH BELOW WHAT WE OWE OUR BANK AND WOULD ALSO CHARGE US A DEDUCTIBLE. HONESTLY, MY FAMILY IS HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME WITH WHAT HAPPENED AND ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE ALSO A LITTLE TIGHT ON OUR FINANCES SINCE MY WIFE IS NOT WORKING BECAUSE SHE IS TAKING CARE OF OUR 8 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND 6 MONTH-OLD BABY; AND I JUST STARTED ON A NEW JOB. AS OF NOW WE CAN'T AFFORD FANCY LAWYERS OR HIRE PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS TO SCRUTINIZE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE -SO WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ON OUR SIDE. HOPING YOU CAN HELP US AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. *NM