NHTSA complaint: 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25MPH UPHILL, THE CARPET AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT SUDDENLY ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE DRIVER WITH WATER AND THE AUTHORITIES WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE INSURANCE AGENCY FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE HEAT SHIELD WAS MISSING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE FLOOR BOARD IN THAT AREA WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING EXTREME HEAT TO CONTACT THE CARPET. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEALER SELLING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FIRST INSPECTING FOR SAFETY PROBLEMS. THE RUST COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN VIEWED BY SIMPLY INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation