NHTSA Complaint #10342691 — 2007 HONDA FIT

I DROVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY, LEFT IT IN THE PARKING LOT OF A RESTAURANT WHILE AT A BRIDAL SHOWER FOR ABOUT 2 1/4 HOURS. BECAUSE THE DAY WAS HOT I LOWERED THE DRIVER'S WINDOW TO LET AIR IN, THEN DROVE THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND IMMEDIATELY ONTO THE HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY I RAISED THE WINDOW AGAIN. VERY SHORTLY THEREAFTER I SMELLED A "HOT" OR BURNING SMELL, NOTICED THICK SMOKE COMING OUT BETWEEN THE WINDOW BUTTONS ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, GOT OUT AND CALLED FOR HELP. WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I COULD SEE THE PLASTIC ON THE DOOR MELTING AND DRIPPING. POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND TOWED THE CAR. ALTHOUGH I TRIED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SMOKE I DID END UP INHALING SOME OF IT AND EXPERIENCED MILD CHEST PAIN AND COUGHING FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT. *TR