NHTSA Complaint #11451439 — 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

2018 Pacifica Touring L Plus. Approximately 33,750 miles. Engine compartment fire. Cause UNKNOWN. Vehicle was parked with engine / ignition off and directly after a brief warm-up and approximate 5 mile drive. Returned to vehicle after approximately 10 minutes in store. Noticed odd, but faint smell and assumed was from adjacent, running vehicle. Started engine and reversed from parking spot. While proceeding to parking lot exit, smell became more pronounced and seemed electrical in nature. Quickly parked again at outer perimeter of adjacent store lot and away from other parked vehicles. Released hood latch, and exited vehicle. Lifted hood to find grey smoke throughout engine compartment and flames in lower LH (my right) engine compartment. Closed hood and removed my dog from vehicle while calling 911. Police and fire arrived in under 5 minutes. Fire department cut hood and grill to bypass latch and extinguished the fire. No injuries to report. The outcome could have easily been different, including loss of life, if the fire intensified while I was still in store. Loss of life, serious injury, and / or significant property damage if parked in garage, structure, or still surrounded by other vehicles. Fire contained within engine compartment. No functioning electrical. Windshield cracked & various front-end damage. Smoke in vehicle interior, ducting, and personal contents. Water damage from extinguishing. Insurance company deemed total loss and has possession of vehicle as of this report date. No previous indication, mechanical or electrical, prior to this incident. Purchased used with 28,398 miles on 6/30/2021 from a CDJR Dealership in Southeast Michigan. Police, fire, and insurance reports available.