NHTSA Complaint #10874431 — 2016 ACURA RDX

THE 2016 ACURA RDX NEWLY PURCHASED ON 4/25/2016 FROM FRESNO ACURA HAD A SPONTANEOUS FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT IMMEDIATE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE DURING A TRIP FROM FRESNO (CALIFORNIA) TO MONTEREY (CALIFORNIA). THE VEHICLE HAD AN ESTIMATED 250 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NONOPERATIONAL AND WAS TOWED TO LOS GATOS ACURA AND WITH UNCLEAR CAUSE AS TO THE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE AND INITIAL INSPECTION SUGGESTED A "RESIDUE" AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A SUBSEQUENT FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED, "NO FACTORY DEFECT." HOWEVER, THIS IS WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF REMOVING AND INSPECTING ANY COMPONENTS OTHER THAN THE OPENING OF THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER PANEL THAT PROTECTS OBJECTS FROM BEING DRAWN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE, FRESNO ACURA, FOR REPAIR. ACURA HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE AN INSPECTION REPORT FOR THE BASIS OF THE DENIAL FOR WARRANTY REPAIR ON A NEW VEHICLE WITH LOW MILES, AN INADEQUATE INSPECTION, AND A HIGH SAFETY HAZARD IF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ALLOWS FOR SPONTANEOUS FIRE WITHIN A PROTECTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT.