NHTSA Complaint #11307999 — 2018 JEEP WRANGLER

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN APPROX 30MPH ON A CITY ROAD WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND LUCKILY A STRANGER FOLLOWING BEHIND QUICKLY ESCORTED THE DRIVER OUT AS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WENT UP IN FLAMES. METAL CHUNKS AND PIECES COULD BE HEARD FALLING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY EXPLODED AND EJECTED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SHEARING THE INPUT SHAFT AND RUPTURING A FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS A COMPLETE TOTAL LOSS WITH FLAMES IMMEDIATELY ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN IN SECONDS. IF IT WAS NOT FOR A BRAVE BYSTANDER SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS IS A NEW TRANSMISSION INTRODUCED IN THE NEW JL WRANGLER AND GLADIATOR AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT JEEP REFUSES TO LOOK INTO AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. TRANSMISSION EXPLOSION TO THIS DEGREE NOT ONLY CAN RESULT IN A FIRE BUT ALSO METAL PROJECTILES HITTING BYSTANDERS AND COMING THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS AND POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND HAVE A MANUAL JEEP WRANGLER HAVE IT CHECKED IMMEDIATELY! THIS WAS A COMPLETELY UNKNOWN PROBLEM SHOWING NO SYMPTOMS WHATSOEVER.*JB