NHTSA Complaint #762516 — 1998 CHEVROLET PICKUP

TRUCK WAS PARKED AT 6PM ON 1/1/01 IN DRIVEWAY.AT 6:30 AM ON 1/2/01, OPENED DOOR TO FIND CAB FULL OF SMOKE, DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR MELTED AND HEAD LINER PARTIALLY MELTED.1/2/01 NOTIFIED POLICE AND DEALERSHIP.DEALERSHIP CONTACTED API (EXTENDED WARRANTY CO) WHO REFUSED TO PAY.1/9/01 CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LINE BUT WAS DENIED (CLAIM #02805467)DUE TO "WIRING HARNESS ON BACK OF TRUCK".HOWEVER, ORIGINAL STICKER ON TRUCK SHOWS TRAILERING HARNESS AS OPTION THAT WAS INSTALLED BY MANUF.1/29/01REPORTED LOSS TO BBB.2/1/01 RECD CALL FROM GM,NEW CLAIM #C0305797.1/26/01 FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED TRUCK & CONFIRMED SHORTAGE OCCURED IN POWER LOCK, WINDOW OR MIRROR SWITHCHES.2/1/01 GM REP (LAREN NORRIS) AGREED WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED TRUCK TO CATCH ON FIRE. 2/5/01 GM DENIED CLAIM DUE TO "OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY". PERSONAL INSURANCE PAID FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER, PERSONAL LOSS OF INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE, RENTAL VEHICLE COST AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN VEHICLE WAS SMOKE DAMAGED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF WIRING IN THIS VEHICLE.*ASK