NHTSA Complaint #10524516 — 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT AND I SAW SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE. THE SMOKE STOPPED. I HAD MY DOGS BED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN I MOVED IT, I SAW THE BURN WHOLE IN THE SEAT AND THE DOG BED. IT WAS 85 DEGREES. I DID NOT HAVE THE HEATED SEATS ON. IF I DID NOT HAVE THE TOP DOWN THE CAR WOULD HAVE FILLED WITH SMOKE CAUSING MAJOR VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE DOG BED THAT SMOTHERED THE FIRE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN FLAMES. MY DOG AND I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TO REPORT THIS FIRE. AFTER CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO DEFECT. CHRYSLER WILL NOT TELL ME WHAT CAUSED IT OTHER THAN IT WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE DEALER I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE RELAY. THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS.THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT COULD HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *TR