NHTSA Complaint #11519085 — 2005 GMC ENVOY

The contact owned a 2005 GMC Envoy. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH the entire dashboard illuminated and needles on gauges had begun to move independently. The contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound from the front end of the vehicle and gray smoke was emitted from under the hood, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull off of the roadway and placed the vehicle into park (P) with difficulty. The contact exited the vehicle and moved away towards the rear end. The contact stated that she noticed flames under the vehicle located at the front end. The contact stated that within 3 minutes of observing the flames under the vehicle, the entire front end became engulfed by flames. The police and fire department arrived on the scene. The contact stated that the fire department used a chemical to extinguish the flames, the contact stated that the flames had burned not only the front end and front tires but the front part of the passenger cabin including the seats. The contact stated that the highway patrol wrote a report and had been informed by the fire department that the fire appeared to have been caused by the electrical system. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.