NHTSA complaint: 2012 SCION XD — AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX 30 MPH, THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY. I HIT THE BRAKES AND FELT THE ABS KICK IN. UNFORTUNATELY I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND REAR ENDED A MIDSIZE SUV. BASED UPON DAMAGE TO THE SUV I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 15 - 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND MY 2012 SCION XD IMMEDIATELY ERUPTED IN FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR AND ROOF OF THE CAR. ULTIMATELY, THE ENTIRE INTERIOR BECAME ENGULFED BY FIRE. EXCLUDING THE FIRE DAMAGE, YOU CANNOT SEE ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDERS AND THE HOOD HAS A SLIGHT BUCKLE FROM THE IMPACT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CURRENTLY HAS IT AS A TOTAL LOSS, WITH OUT COMPLETING THE USUAL INVESTIGATION. THE DAMAGE TO THE SUV WAS LIMITED TO THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY MINOR PAINT DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE. I FIND IT UNUSUAL THAT A CAR IN A FRONT COLLISION AT THAT SPEED SHOULD CATCH FIRE, ESPECIALLY WITH A FOUR STAR RATING. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation