NHTSA Complaint #10323743 — 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA

ON APRIL 1, 2010, MY DAUGHTER WAS WAITING IN MY VEHICLE FOR ME TO LEAVE WORK, AS I APPROACHED THE CAR I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR, WHEN SAW ME APPROACHING THE CAR SHE EXITED THE CAR AND STOOD IN FRONT OF THE CAR TO OPEN HOOD OF CAR, ONE OF MY COWORKERS YELLED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE POINTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I NOTICED FLAMES COMING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, I YELLED FOR MY DAUGHTER TO STAY CLEAR FROM THE CAR, I PHONED 911 IMMEDIATELY, MY CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, I WORK IN A MEDICAL CAMPUS, I WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PATIENTS AND SURROUNDINGS NEEDLESS TO SAY MY DAUGHTER COULD OF BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN LESS THEN 5 MINUTES, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SECURITY FILED REPORTS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND OR COMPREHEND HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN, I KEEP THE CAR UP TO DATE WITH OIL CHANGES AND MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKS THE CAR EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR SERVICE, NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION SINCE MY NISSAN WAS THE ONLY CAR I HAD WHICH I USED FOR WORK AND MY DAUGHTER FOR WORK AND SCHOOL ALSO. *TR