TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A PUNGENT ODOR WAS PERCEIVED IN THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY TWENTY SECONDS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION KICKED OUT OF GEAR AND THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S FARM. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL. THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A SPECIALIST WOULD CALL WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.