NHTSA complaint: 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AT MY RESIDENCE WHEN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ,PROBABLY THE HEATED SEATS. WE WERE IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE/GARAGE WHEN THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND AND THE VAN'S PANIC ALARM WENT OFF. WE COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EAVES OF THE GARAGE ROOF. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE "MAN DOOR" OF THE GARAGE (THE ELECTRONIC GARAGE DOOR OPENER WOULD NOT FUNCTION) AND OBSERVED HEAVY GRAYISH SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THE HELP OF A NEIGHBOR AND OUR 13 YEAR OLD SON HE SPRAYED THE VEHICLE WITH WATER FROM 2 GARDEN HOSES. THE WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE SHATTERED AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN WAS GLOWING ORANGE. 911 WAS CALLED AND THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED. ONCE THE AREA WAS SECURED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSESSED THE DAMAGE (WHICH WAS CONTAINED TO THE VEHICLE). THEY WERE OF THE OPINION THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENT. THE ONLY THING LEFT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS THE METAL FRAME; THE STEERING COLUMN WAS GONE AND WIRING HARNESSES WERE HANGING DOWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VAN IS A TOTAL LOSS. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND CHRYLER TOWN & COUNTRY HE HAD SEEN IN THIS CONDITION. PROPERTY DAMAGE (OTHER THAN THE VEHICLE) WAS LIMITED TO THE GARAGE INTERIOR THANKS TO MY HUSBAND'S AND NEIGHBOR'S QUICK RESPONSE. WE DID NOT LOSE OUR GARAGE OR HOME...OTHERS MAY
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation