NHTSA Complaint #10260857 — 1994 DODGE PICKUP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE PICKUP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS SMOKING FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. THE ENGINE WAS NOT TURNED ON AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE MELTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LINER AND THE FRONT CARPET WAS DESTROYED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS WERE SCORCHED AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ORIGINATED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.