NHTSA Complaint #10743657 — 2009 CHEVROLET HHR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ELECTRONIC CONTROL PANEL FAILED TO WORK AND THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO GO UP AND DOWN WHEN USED ELECTRONICALLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WORSE DURING RAINY WEATHER. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V153000 (STEERING), AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE ENTERING THE ROAD FROM A PARKING COMPLEX, THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL WAS TURNED ON AND SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE DASHBOARD. EXTENSIVE SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MELTED DOWNWARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE AND TOWED TO A YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.