NHTSA Complaint #10242417 — 2001 DODGE DURANGO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V339000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER INSTALLED A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE HEAD GASKETS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE FLUIDS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE MECHANIC OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND OBSERVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND FLAMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME PLUG THAT SET THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON FIRE A YEAR EARLIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES IT WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.