NHTSA complaint: 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A USED 2001 MONTE CARLO SS 3.8L OCTOBER 2011. THE RECALL #2009047 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NOTICE ARRIVED IN AUGUST 2012. TWO SPARK PLUG RETAINERS WERE INSTALLED AT THE DEALER SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 FOR NO CHARGE. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2013, THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS FROM 11 AM UNTIL 2:45 PM, THEN AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE (LESS THAN 8 MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE LOT OF A PHARMACY. NOTICEABLE SMOKE BEGAN TO EMANATE FROM UNDER THE SIDES OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD REMAINED COOL TO THE TOUCH. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HOOD WAS LIFTED, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE. TWO POLICE OFFICERS JUST HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SCENE AT THE TIME. THEY KEPT US AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND PREVENTED US FROM ANY ATTEMPTS TO USE AN EXTINGUISHER ON THE FIRE. IT BURNED UNTIL THE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED A FEW MINUTES LATER AND PUT IT OUT. THE CAR STILL LOOKED GREAT WITH THE HOOD CLOSED. EXCEPT FOR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, OR TIRES. EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED IT OUT. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation