NHTSA complaint: 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON AUG. 10,2005 MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU, WHILE PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE EXITING CAR BEFORE THE FIRE, I SMELLED NO SMOKE OR "HOT" SMELLS, I STOOD THERE APPROX. 3 MIN. WHILE TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER. 10 MIN. LATER THE LEBANON, TENNESSEE FIRE DEPT. WAS THERE EXTINGUISHING A FIRE THAT WAS MOSTLY CONTAINED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT AREA, THEY DEEMED THE CAR "TOTALED" . I CONTACTED GM THE SAME DAY, AND AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CONVERSATIONS , ON SEPT.13, 2005, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MR. MIKE DEMARE, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, THAT "GENERAL MOTORS IS UNABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES AND WE SUGGEST THAT YOU RESOLVE THIS MATTER THROUGH YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER." SO I AM STILL WITHOUT A CAR, AND I AM DISABLED, WITH A MINOR CHILD LIVING WITH ME. I CAN NOT AFFORD FULL COVERAGE , AND ONLY HAD LIABILITY ON THE VEHICLE. *NM SEPT.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation