NHTSA Complaint #10207716 — 1999 DODGE STRATUS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. ON OCTOBER 31, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A FAINT CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED A FAINT PUFF OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT THINK IT WAS A SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE THE SMOKE WAS SO FAINT. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND HUGE PUFFS OF BLACK SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THEY OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT STATED THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNINSURED AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING HER PAYMENTS. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.