NHTSA Complaint #10241393 — 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

I WAS HEADING HOME 8/14/08 6PM WHEN A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR TOOK PLACE. I ENTERED FLOODED STREET, OTHER CARS WERE PASSING THROUGH. IN ABOUT 8 INCHES OF WATER THE CAR STALLED. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. I ABANDONED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED. THE ADJUSTER ASKED ME IF I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND WHEN I SAID YES HE SAID THAT IS WHAT SUCKED WATER INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM . THE CAR WAS THE LIMITED 5.7 HEMI ENGINE. THE AUTO IS "TRAIL RATED" AND HAS THE EMBLEM TO PROVE IT, STRANGE FOR A TRAIL RATED AUTO TO BE TOTALED IN 8 INCHES OF WATER. ALL THE TIME I WAS STUCK IN THE FLOODED STREET OTHER VEHICLES, SEDANS, SUVS AND TRUCKS CONTINUED TO GO THROUGH THE WATER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD 8000 + MILES AND WAS LEASED ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. THERE WAS WATER IN THE AIR FILTER AND I ASSUME IN THE ENGINE AND SEVERAL MODULES WERE BURNT OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR