DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING DOWN A HILL AT 4 MPH, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE HOOD WAS RAISED, AND FLAMES WERE NOTICED COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY PUTTING SNOW ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE WAY THE VEHICLE HAD OPERATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - *NM