NHTSA Complaint #715053 — 1992 ISUZU TROOPER

THE VEHICLE'S TAIL PIPE SEPARATED FROM THE MUFFLER'S DISCHARGE FLANGE WHICH IS TURNED 90 DEGREES UP, CAUSING THE HOT EHHAUST GASES TO HIT THE FLOOR DECK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, JUST BEHIND THE BACK SEAT. THE RESULT WAS BURNING THE UNDERCOATING OFF, SETTING FIRE TO THE CARPET PADDING AND SETING FIRE TO A DUFFEL BAG CONTAININ CLOTHING THAT WAS PLACED OVER THAT LOCATION. THIS RESULTED IN FLAMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH WERE PUT OUT BEFORE ANY OTHER DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. LOOKING AT NEWER TROOPER'S ISUZU CONTINUES TO USE THE SAME MUFFLER WITH NO HEAT SHIELD ABOVE THE FLANGE. IN A SIX MILE DRIVE THE THE DEALER WITH THE PIPE BROKEN ENOUGH, HEAT WAS GENERATED TO STARE THE MATTING SMOKING AGAIN. IN MY MIND THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN DESIGN THAT COULD CREATES A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD GIVEN THE FAILURE RATE OF EXHAUST COMPONENTS OVER TIME. *AK