NHTSA Complaint #10179418 — 2005 HONDA PILOT

ON JUNE 30TH, 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 HONDA PILOT WITH 65 ODOMETER MILES AS A PERSONAL FAMILY VEHICLE. ON DECEMBER 27, 2006 MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE GO SHOPPING IN VENTURA CA. AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE A/C / HEATER VENTS IN THE DASH AREA. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO INVESTIGATE. AFTER HE PULLED OVER HE TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND REALIZED THAT SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE CALLED 911 TO DISPATCH A FIRE TRUCK, BUT BEFORE THEY ARRIVED THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE ENGINE AREA AND INTERIOR WERE DESTROYED. THE FIRE CREW PUT OUT THE FLAMES BUT COULD NOT SAVE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY DAMAGES BECAUSE I HAVE NOT ALTERED THE VEHICLE'S CONFIGURATION IN ANY MANNER AND SOMETHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FIRE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN LEND ME TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. *NM