NHTSA Complaint #11132896 — 2011 DODGE DURANGO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNT ELECTRICAL ODOR. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS SURROUNDED BY FLAMES. UPON A SECOND EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BATTERY COVER UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED WITHIN THE ALTERNATOR AND HAD NOT SPREAD ELSEWHERE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF (FIZZLED OUT). A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CROSSROADS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (4510 WHITEHILL BLVD, PRINCE GEORGE, VIRGINIA 23875, (877) 360-5755) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH REFERENCE NUMBER: 352-462-90. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,500.