NHTSA Complaint #10392798 — 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET 10KW KIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WITH THE 10KW PLUGGED IN WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE STANDARD HYBRID VEHICLE TO BECOME AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT THE FIRE HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE 10KW WAS AN AFTER MARKET PART, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,126.