TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLIGHTLY STRUCK THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWENTY MINUTES LATER, A POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT HASTILY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND THE FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO RIP APART THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IN ORDER TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V597000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.