NHTSA Complaint #10575240 — 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID

WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-495 (EXIT 51 E) AND RT 231 IN SUFFOLK, NEW YORK, MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID, WHILE IN ELECTRIC HYBRID MODE, EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH OCCURRED MARCH 8, 2014 AND IGNITED WITH VISIBLE SPARKS REPORTED BY EYEWITNESSES UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO COMBUSTION. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS AT A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE NARROWLY ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE......WITH NO VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATION/ANOMALIES WHICH WOULD WARN HER OF THE IMPENDING DANGEROUS VEHICLE IGNITION. NISSAN AND METLIFE, MY INSURANCE CARRIER, ARE INVESTIGATING BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS IN BOTH PARTIES INTERESTS TO BLAME THE OTHER....WITH ME AS THE INNOCENT VICTIM CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. MY FEAR IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IS AT THE ROOT CAUSE AND OTHER UNSUSPECTING POTENTIAL VICTIMS ARE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE INTERVENE AND INQUIRE AS TO THIS PRODUCT'S OBVIOUS FALWED DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE BEFOR FATALITIES OR SERIOUS INJURIES ARE INFLICTED ON UNKNOWNING CONSUMERS. THANK YOU. *TR