NHTSA Complaint #758736 — 2000 FORD RANGER

THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER FELL INTO THE INSIDE OF THE DASH. THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS WAS THE RESULT OF AN "EXTERNAL DEVICE" BEING PLUGGED IN TO THE LIGHTER SOCKET INSTEAD OF THE AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET. IT IS MY DAUGHTER'S TRUCK AND SHE RARELY PLUGS HER CELL PHONE CHARGER IN TO THE LIGHTER. THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS CREATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THE MOUNTING TABS ON THE INSIDE OF THE DASH ALLOWING THE LIGHTER TO FALL INSIDE. I ASK YOU: IF A CELL PHONE CHARGER CAN CREATE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WHY DOES THE LIGHTER SOCKET READLIY ACCEPT THE PLUG OF THE CHARGER? WHY ISN'T IT SIZED DIFFERENTLY TO PREVENT THIS? WHY DIDN'T A FUSE BLOW LONG BEFORE THIS MUCH HEAT WAS GENERATED? HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES PLUGGING THEIR CELL PHONE CHARGERS IN TO THE LIGHTER? I HAVE A NICE (1) PAGE LETTER WRITTEN ABOUT THIS SITUATION BUT THERE IS NO PROVISION TO ATTACH IT TO THIS FORM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE.*AK