NHTSA Complaint #11582599 — 2022 FORD BRONCO SPORT

On [XXX] I began my drive from Miami, FL to SF, CA for my next travel nurse assignment. Three hours into my drive, I stop for gas and return to the highway. I remember accelerating to catch up to traffic and moving into the left lane. Then I remember abruptly seeing brake lights ahead, braking hard, and the collision warning system going off. I was braking for several seconds and it became clear to me that I was going to crash into the vehicle in front of me. Immediately upon impact, my Bronco Sport caught fire. I felt the heat. I smelled the fire and fumes. I saw people running towards me, yelling for me to get out of my burning car. The airbag went off and I sustained minor injury to my right hand. At that point, my priority was to locate my cat inside my perfectly packed vehicle with all of my most important possessions. I grabbed my cat, my phone, and my purse and escaped as flames overtook my SUV. The Nissan Rouge in front of me sustained some rear bumper damage but overall relatively minor exterior damages. I am in awe that what should have been a minor collision turned into escaping a burning car with my cat and watching my everything burn away. I struggle with PTSD from the accident. The Bronco was well-maintained. I had the recall repaired, along with oil change and tire rotation in November, prior to driving from Southern California to my home in Miami in early December. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The insurance company did not choose to pursue any investigation on why this happened. I’ve tried to find answers and have not been successful. The Ford dealership where I purchased the Bronco has been less than helpful and even normalized that this happens sometimes. Four months later and I’m still waiting to get refunded for all the extra extended warranties that I bought for a vehicle that I planned on having for a long time. No one seems concerned that my car caught fire instantly. This should not have happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI