NHTSA Complaint #11051024 — 2013 FORD FUSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD FUSION. WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SEE FLAMES FROM THE SIDE MIRROR. THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR JAMMED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. UPON LEAVING THE VEHICLE, IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V597000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS), 15V246000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), 16V875000 (SEAT BELTS), AND 17V209000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). SANTA MONICA FORD LINCOLN IN SANTA MONICA, CA PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.