I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. I LOST STEERING AND BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO RUN VEHICLE INTO CURB AND JUST GOT OUT BEFORE THINGS STARTED BLOWING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETLY DISTROYED. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE AND A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS CONTACTED BY A INVISTAGATOR FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER WHO STATED THAT THEY WANTED TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS THERE FAULT. THIS STATEMENT LEAD ME TO BELEAVE DAIMLER CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT A PROBLEM AND WANT TO KEEP IT VERY QUITE. I WAS TOLD IF I TALK TO ANY ONE THE DEAL WOULD BE OFF. AS OF NOW I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS INSISTING I TAKE A VEHICLE OF LESSER VALUE THAT MY DURANGO. ANY INFORMATION REGUARDING THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRICIATED. I FEEL LIKE I AM AT THE MERCY OF A VERY POWERFUL CORPORATION.*AK