NHTSA Complaint #10544767 — 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

VEHICLE WAS NOTED WITH STOP LIGHT ACTIVATED IN PARKED POSITION. INVESTIGATION SHOWED FAIL BRAKE SWITCH ADJACENT TO BRAKE PEDAL. PURCHASED NAPA REPLACEMENT PART . INSTALLED REPLACEMENT SWITCH DID NOT FULLY SEAT INTO METAL POCKET ON SUPPORT BRACKET. REPLACED WITH JEEP/CHRYSLER DEALER REPLACEMENT SWITCH WITH SAME CONDITION. UNIT WILL BE PUSHED OUT OF METAL BRACKET FROM QUICK RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL. CONCERN IS EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED BY CONTINUAL REAR BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVATION. POTENTIAL FOR FIRE HAZARD. I AM FAA CERTIFIED FOR FLIGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS ON AIRCRAFT. THIS INADEQUATELY SECURED SWITCH WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED FOR AIRCRAFT DUE TO HAZARDOUS POTENTIAL FAILURE MODE. SWITCH DESIGN WAS MADE FOR QUICK ASSEMBLY BUT INADEQUATE SECURING TO VEHICLE BRACKET SUPPORT.