NHTSA Complaint #11632560 — 2018 HONDA PILOT

I was driving on the highway, and the sensor stating the transmission is too hot popped up on the dashboard. This is an issue I have brought to Honda's attention on a few other occasions over the past three years, as this light has shown up before, but only when the outside temperatures had exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was driving at speeds of 55mph or more. I'd been told that since there was no active re-call, there was nothing they could do each time I reached out to Honda. Shortly after the light showed on the dashboard, I lost the ability to accelerate. I was pushing the gas pedal down, the RPM's were increasing, but my speed was decreasing. At that point, I decided it was best to exit at the upcoming Oasis, and before I could start to merge right, I heard a loud "pop" noise from presumably from the engine. Flames began to shoot out from under the hood on the driver-side. I merged over to the shoulder as quickly and safely as I could, grabbed my purse and exited the vehicle immediately. I then called 911, and while I was on the phone with dispatch, more loud "pops" occurred, growing the flames, until the car was completely engulfed in fire and black smoke. After a few minutes, the state police, EMT and South Holland FD arrived. The firefighters put the fire out, and the car was completely destroyed, resulting in a total loss of the vehicle.