NHTSA Complaint #11677537 — 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, there was an alarming amount of white smoke emanating from the engine compartment and permeating the interior of the vehicle, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. Moments later, the entire front of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. Local Emergency Services arrived on the scene and were able to extinguish the fire. During the failure several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and deemed a total loss by the Insurance provider. A fire report was filed and preliminary findings on the potential cause of the fire were provided but the contact was unaware of the cause. A Police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's father suffered minor burns to both hands but had not sought medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the vehicle was retrieved for inspection. The manufacturer provided a determination of the inspection, and the vehicle was returned to the contact without providing the contact with the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.