NHTSA Complaint #10254957 — 2005 BUICK LESABRE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED FLAMES ERUPTING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE LOCKS MELTED, WHICH NEARLY PREVENTED HER FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BATTERY UNDERNEATH THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000. UPDATED 02/10/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/11/09. *JB