NHTSA Complaint #11221795 — 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS

WE WERE ON FREEWAY WHEN AN ODD SMELL WAS DETECTED. THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE TRUCKS IN THE AREA AND WE PASSED OFF THE SMELL TO THE TRUCKS. A COUPLE OF MILES LATER THE PASSENGER SAID, "THE FLOOR IS ON FIRE!" AT THIS POINT, AN ABUNDANCE OF SMOKE APPEARED ABOVE THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. WE EXITED THE FREEWAY, FOUND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WAS INFORMED BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOTALED THE VEHICLE. WE ARE AWAITING THE SETTLEMENT CHECK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INDICATORS I.E. WARNING LIGHTS/BUZZERS, ETC. PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE AREA UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS A CHARRED MASS. THEREIN A LARGE HOLE AT THE TOP OF THE DASH NEAR WHERE THE SPEAKER FOR THAT SIDE IS HOUSED. *BF*JB