NHTSA Complaint #10186896 — 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

THERE WAS SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THEN THE DIRECTION LIGHTS DID NOT WORK, NOR DID THE INTERIOR FAN WORK. THEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING UP FROM UNDER THE HOOD (ENGINE HOOD). I PULLED OVER AND STOP THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. SMOKE CONTINUED TO COME OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE SMELL WAS AWFUL. THERE WERE NO FLAMES TO BE SEEN. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THE IGNITION GOT STUCK IN THE ON MODE AND THIS BURNT OUT THE STARTER. THE FIRE WAS FROM THE STARTER BEING IN THE ON MODE AND BURNING ITSELF OUT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED THE PARTS AND WILL REPLACE THEM. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *JB