NHTSA Complaint #10473888 — 2000 HONDA ACCORD

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AND ALL LIGHTS ON HVAC CONTROL PANEL WENT OUT. A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE FILLED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB BECAME WARM AND LOOSE. THE PLASTIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB CAME OFF AND I BURNED MYSELF ON THE METAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL SHAFT WHICH THE KNOB ATTACHES TO. THE METAL TEMPERATURE EASILY EXCEEDED 300 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. ONCE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND COOLED DOWN I REMOVED THE HVAC CONTROL PANEL FROM THE DASH. THE PLASTIC IS MELTED WHERE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOB IS AND ON THE INSIDE OF THE CONTROL PANEL. I REMOVED THE CIRCUIT BOARD FROM THE CONTROL PANEL AND IT SMELLS LIKE BURNED ELECTRONICS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD HAS BROWN BURN MARKS AND BUBBLING ON THE BOARD ITSELF. THE ENTIRE HVAC CONTROL UNIT WILL HAVE TO REPLACED AT THE COST OF $200-$300. *TR