NHTSA complaint: 1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THEN, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS EVACUATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENT, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE FROM THE HEATER FAN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, REFUSED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE INJURED AN OCCUPANT.*AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation