NHTSA Complaint #10181692 — 2002 DODGE DURANGO

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 07/08/05 THE 2002 DODGE DURANGO SPORT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE UNUSED WIRE CONNECTOR AS MENTIONED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN# 06V339000 WHICH STATED THAT ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID WAS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN 11/06 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ,AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE INSURANCE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THAN A DODGE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIRS DONE ON THE VEHICLE SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE WIRE CONNECTOR. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HANDLED THIS MATTER UNPROFESSIONAL, AND FELT THEY SHOULD GIVE HER SOME TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE RECALL CAME TOO LATE, AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTACTS LOSS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE POINT OF ORIGIN OF THE FIRE SEEMED TO HAVE STARTED AT THE PLUG FOR A POWER SEAT OR HEATED SEAT. THE CONTACT HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS AND PICTURES OF THE FIRE. UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR