NHTSA Complaint #10463561 — 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005, AND I AM THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE STORE I SAW A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND SMOKE STARTED FILLING THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I INSTRUCTED MY 11 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS SITTING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO OPEN THE DOOR AND EXIT THE CAR. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DOOR LATCH AREA. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND POURED A BOTTLE OF WATER ON THE LATCH AREA ON THE DOOR. THE FIRE WENT OUT FOR A SECOND THEN REIGNITED. I THEN REALIZED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERIES POSITIVE CABLE. I THEN RIPPED THE DOOR PANEL OFF AND POURED MORE WATER DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR PUTTING THE FIRE OUT. AFTER INSURING THAT THE FIRE WAS OUT I FOUND THE FUSE THAT SUPPLIED THE POWER TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND PULLED IT, I THEN RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE BACK AND STARTED THE CAR. THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED. SO I TIED A ROPE TO THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO HOLD IT CLOSED SO I COULD DRIVE IT HOME. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THIS INCIDENT. *TR