STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Miles at failure
125,000
Speed
30 mph
Severity
Deaths
0
Injured
0
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
No
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No
Narrative
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED A VALVE GASKET. AFTER LEAVING THE REPAIR SHOP, THE SMOKE WAS VISIBLE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE APPEARED TO BE THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS NOTED IN NHTSA RECALL # 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.