NHTSA Complaint #11191517 — 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

WE ARRIVED HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE, I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE TURNED IT OFF AND BEGAN UNLOADING THE GROCERIES. ABOUT 2 AM THURSDAY, THE INDOOR SECURITY SYSTEM WENT OFF, SAYING "ALERT CARBON MONIXIDE." I THEN WENT OUT TO THE GARAGE AND FOUND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE HOOD OF THE CAR WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I THEN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR TO BEGIN AIRING OUT THE GARAGE. THEN GOT MY WIFE UP AND BEGAN AIRING OUT THE HOUSE. MY DAUGHTER CAME OVER AND CONTINUED OPENING WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE UPPER FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE ENGINE RESTARTED OR WHY IT REMAINED RUNNING FOR SO LONG. I HAVE SINCE REALIZED THE SPARE CAR 'KEY' WAS HANGING JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL TO THE GARAGE, WELL WITHIN THE 5 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR THE CAR TO KNOW THE KEY IS NEARBY, ALLOWING THE DOORS TO BE OPENED, ETC. I TOOK THE CAR OUT THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE TRIP INFORMATION SAID THE CAR HAD DRIVEN A TOTAL OF 120 MILES SINCE BEING REFUELED, FOR AN AVERAGE MPG RATING OF 4.7 MPG. SINCE THE AVERAGE FUEL USAGE IS BETWEEN 24 AND 31 MPG, I MUST ASSUME THE EXTRA FUEL WAS USED TO IDLE THE ENGINE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. SINCE WE WERE ALONE IN THE HOUSE THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT HAD SOMEONE BEEN SLEEPING UP STAIRS, I AM SURE THE WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY OR KILLED BY THE CARBON MONIXIDE. I ALSO FEEL THAT THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO GO TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE AUTO MANUFACTURER. *DT*JB *DT*JB