NHTSA Complaint #11040438 — 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS

TOYOTA PRIUS (2008) - FIRE AFTER MINOR ACCIDENT (BATTERY FIRE) AFTER A FAIRLY STANDARD REAR END COLLISION (25-30 MPH), MY TOYOTA PRIUS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET IN CHICAGO, IL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. WITHIN MINUTES OF IMPACT (TO RIGHT REAR OF CAR), THE RESPONDING POLICE OFFICER SAW FIRE UNDER THE CAR (BEGAN IN REAR) AND THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE TRAVELLED TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE POLICE AND TOW COMPANY BELIEVE THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE PRIUS BATTERY AND THESE CARS ARE VERY UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH THIS CONDITION. THERE HAS BEEN NO RELATED RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT'S INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND I'M VERY HAPPY I WAS NOT TRAVELING WITH MY CHILDREN AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME TO REVIEW THIS CASE AND TAKING STEPS TO ENSURE TOYOTA ADDRESSES THE ISSUES WITH THE PRIUS VEHICLES. I'VE ATTACHED THE POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS OF THE CAR FIRE (I ALSO HAVE VIDEO OF THE FIRE, BUT THE FILE IS TOO LARGE TO ATTACH ON THIS SUBMISSION - AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST). NO MAJOR INJURIES - I EXPERIENCED SORENESS / HEADACHES FROM IMPACT/WHIPLASH AND SAW MY DOCTOR FOLLOWING ACCIDENT (NO MAJOR INJURY). PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW IF I CAN PROVIDE ANYTHING ELSE / ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! [XXX] ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB