NHTSA Complaint #10676632 — 2008 JEEP WRANGLER

LEAVING A PARKING LOT ALL MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEGAN GOING HAYWIRE (WIPERS CAME ON, WIPER FLUID STARTED SPRAYING, RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF, HEAT TURNED ON AND OFF, HORN WAS BLARING, DOOR LOCKS LOCKING/UNLOCKING AT RANDOM). I REMOVED THE KEYS AND THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CONTINUED. I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING PLASTIC AND NOTICED SMOKE/FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER OPENING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE FUSE BOX WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FOUNTAIN DRINK AND A FEW BOTTLES OF WATER FROM BYSTANDERS. THE WIRING HARNESS CONTINUED TO SMOLDER UNTIL THE BATTERY CABLE WAS REMOVED. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO BE REPAIRED AND WILL COST ME 500 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T A COMPLETE LOSS. THIS CAR ALSO HAS NO AFTER MARKET MODIFICATIONS. *TR