NHTSA complaint: 1993 BUICK PARK AVENUE — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
ON DEC. 11, 1999, AT APPROX. 5:45 PM, I WAS SOUTH BOUND ON I-15, 36 MILES NORTH OF BAKER, CA. DURING THE CLIMB OF THE HILL, CRUISE SET AT 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AT THAT INSTANT, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DISTINCT ODOR OF BURNT TRANS FLUID WAS ENTERING THE PASSENGER AREA. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO DISCOVER THE ENGINE AREA WAS ON FIRE. THE WIFE AND I ONLY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO EXIT VEH AND CALL FOR HELP. I HAVE DISCOVERED A RECALL BULLETIN (CAMPAIGN #96V015002) DESCRIBING THE CONDITION AND RESULTS I EXPERIENCED. THE UNJUSTICE IS THE SAFETY BULLENTIN DOESN'T APPLY TO CALIFORNIA VEHICLES. IN THE LAST WEEK, I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER VEH, OF SAME MODEL, SUFFER THE SAME OUTCOME.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation