NHTSA Complaint #11289677 — 2016 RAM 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR AND TURNED OFF THE HEATER. AN UNKNOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HEAT VENTS AND THE SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A CLAIM, BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT COMPENSATED WITH ASSISTANCE TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FIRE OR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. *LN *TR*DT*JB*DT*JB