NHTSA complaint: 1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT THE END OF SHORT 20 MILE TRIP AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED SMOKE & FLAMES COMING OUT OF HOOD / ENGINE. THE ACTION OF DRIVING, PARKING AND FIRE WAS SIMULTANEOUS. I CAN NOT SAY FOR CERTAIN THE ORDER IN WHICH THE THREE EVENTS HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I LEFT THE CAR IN PARK AT THE END OF DRIVEWAY WENT INSIDE THE HOME AND HAD MY SON CALLED THE POLICE AND FIRE ( 911 ). BY THIS TIME THERE WAS THICK SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING OUT OF CAR. INITIALLY THE SMOKE WAS WHITE WHICH LATER TURNED TO BLACK. THE SMOKE WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH REGULAR FLAMES AND OCCASIONAL FLARE UPS. THE HOOD WAS LOCKED UP AS WELL AND THE POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, INCLUDING ALL PLASTIC PARTS, MAJORITY METAL COMPONENTS, ENGINE HEAD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, COOLING SYSTEM, AND OTHER MAJOR COMPONENTS ARE BURNED UP. THE FRONT INSTRUMENT PANEL, PARTS OF THE ROOF COVER, ENGINE HOOD, FRONT BUMPER, SIDE FENDERS, GRILL ETC. IS ALSO BURNED UP. UNDER CARRIAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BURNED UP AS WELL. THE CAR IS TOTAL LOSS AND BEYOND REPAIRS. *JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation