NHTSA Complaint #11118149 — 2014 DODGE JOURNEY

WIFE GOT INTO CAR TO GO TO STORE TOLD ME DONE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TRIED EVERY SWITCH IN THE CAR BUT NOTHING WOULD TURN THEM OFF. I SENT HER TO STORE ANYWAY KNOWING THAT BATTERY WOULD NOT DIE IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME. WIFE RETURNED FROM GROCERY STORE STATING SOMETHING SMELLS HOT. I LOOKED IN CAR AGAIN AND I ALSO SMELLED BURNT WIRING. I LOOKED AT THE MIDDLE SEAT LIGHT AND SAW SMOKE. I QUICKLY POPPED THE LENS OFF THE DOME LIGHT AND SAW DRIPPING MELTING PLASTIC. I DISCONNECTED THE LIGHT AND TOSSED IT OUT IN THE LAWN. DODGE SENT AN INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT THE EVENT AND I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT ANY DONE LIGHT WILL BECOME HOT IF LEFT ON. I ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO SMOKE, MELT AND ALMOST DRIP ON A 3 YEAR OLD CHILD'S HEAD. EVEN THE HARNESS MELTED. THEY DON'T THINK THIS IS A BIG DEAL BUT I BELIEVE (AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE LOOKED AT IT ) BELIEVE IT IS. VERY DANGEROUS! I'VE LEFT A DOME LIGHT ON IN MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND NONE STARTED MELTING. I'VE TRIED TO RELAY THIS TO DODGE BUT CAN'T GET ANYONE BUT A LEVEL 1 PERSON TO TALK TO. I'M REALLY BESIDE MYSELF ON THIS. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS A BIG DEAL. I'M HOPING BY CONTACTING THIS AGENCY I CAN GET A RESOLUTION AND POSSIBLY PREVENT SOMEONE FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED.