AFTER DRIVING 311 MILES FORM OCEAN CITY MD, WE STOPPED FOR A REST AT 179 N PLAZA ACCESS RD, SOMERSET, PA 15501. AFTER AN ESTIMATED 30 MINUTE BREAK, WE RETURNED TO THE JEEP FILLED WITH SMOKE. UPON GETTING MY FAMILY TO SAFETY, CLEARING THE DRIVER'S AROUND THE JEEP, CALLING 9-11, AND PULLING OUR LUGGAGE OUT OF THE JEEP, I DETERMINED THE REAR CARPET UNDER NEATH THE REAR COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I REMOVED IT AND EXTINGUISHED IT. WHAT WAS FOUND AT MY LOCAL GARAGE WAS A CORRODED HOLE ON TOP OF THE MUFFLER (WHICH CAN ONLY BE DIAGNOSED BY REACHING IN AND OVER THE MUFFLER) WAS VENTING EXHAUST AND WAS SO HOT IT CAUSED THE REAR FRAME TO REACH A TEMPERATURE THAT IGNITED THE CARPET AROUND THE SPARE TIRE. THERE ARE VISIBLE BURN MARKS IN THE REAR AS WELL. THANKFULLY THIS DID NOT HEAT THE GAS TANK TO THE POINT OF IGNITION. MY JEEP DOES NOT HAVE A HEAT SHIELD BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE MUFFLER. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT REPAIR THE MUFFLER AS THEY SAY IT A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE. I AM CONCERNED FOR OTHER JEEP COMPASS OWNERS OR JEEPS IN GENERAL THAT HAVE NO HEAT SHIELD AND COULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF CORROSION.