NHTSA Complaint #10452994 — 2007 TOYOTA RAV4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD CARPET AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, A LOUD NOISE AND A LEAK EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 5/11/12 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE MUFFLER OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED AND SET THE BACK RUNNER MAT ON FIRE, AS IT WAS DIRECTLY UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. UPDATED 05/31/12