NHTSA Complaint #714285 — 1996 CHEVROLET IMPALA

THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED & IMMEDIATELY THE LOCKS BEGAN ENGAGING & DISENGAGING IN RAPID SEQUENCE, THEN THERE WAS A SNAP AND I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING WIRES. I NOTICED SMOKE RISING TO MY LEFT COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE HOOD VENTS. I TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I COULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. MY HUSBAND CAME OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE FIRE WALL. HE THEN LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH BOARD AND SAW FLAMES. I AT THAT POINT CONTACTED 911 AND HE WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT, THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I AM GLAD I WAS OF A CLEAR FRAME OF MIND OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR. WE COULD NOT OPEN ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT UNLOCKING THEM MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE WHICH WAS VERY TOXIC. THIS COULD HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF I HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY ARE NOW INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION WITH THE DEALERSHIP.