# 2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `1307502` · 2016-08-11 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** JEEP
- **Model:** GRAND CHEROKEE
- **Year:** 2012
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 78,000
## Narrative
I WAS WALKING OUT TO MY CAR AFTER LEAVING A STORE.  THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT FOR NO MORE THAN 20MIN.  I GOT TO MY CAR AND BEFORE I STARTED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD.  I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR AS WELL AS THE DISTINCT SMELL ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.  I RUSHED BACK INTO THE STORE ASKING IF THEY HAD A HOSE OR A BUCKET.  THEY HAD A PARTIALLY FILLED WATER JUG THAT THEY LET ME USE.  I WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS BEGINNING TO INTENSIFY.  I ALSO NOTICED THAT SPARKS WERE BEGINNING TO FLY OUT OF THE AREA.  I DOUSED THE AREA IN WATER TO QUELL ANY FIRE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PRESENT (AT THIS POINT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES BUT PLENTY OF SMOKE).  I THEN QUICKLY ACCESSED THE BATTERY LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND, USING A MULTI-TOOL, WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.  THE SMOKE HAD ONCE AGAIN INTENSIFIED AND I USED THE REMAINING WATER LEFT IN THE JUG.  HOWEVER, THE SMOKE CONTINUED.  I QUICKLY WENT BACK INTO THE STORE AND FILLED THE WATER JUG WITH MORE WATER (I NEEDED TO BE QUICK SO I ONLY PARTIALLY FILLED THE JUG, ABOUT 1/8 OF TOTAL CAPACITY).  WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR THE SMOKE WAS STILL INCREASING BUT AT A LESSER RATE FROM WHEN THE BATTERY WAS CONNECTED.  I DOUSED THE ALTERNATOR AND AREA AROUND IT WITH ALL OF THE WATER IN THE JUG.  AT THIS POINT THE SMOKE HAD STOPPED BUT THE AREA WAS STILL VERY HOT.  I REFILLED THE JUG AND DOU
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*