TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE AND BLACK SMOKE THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWING A TRAILER AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER FOR THE TRAILER. HE NOTICED FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE REAR AXLE, WHICH THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT A DEFECTIVE PINION SEAL CAUSED THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY SYNTHETIC REAR AXLE FLUID. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE FUEL TANK, TRAILER, TAILGATE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,832. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE GAS FILLER TUBE WAS ALSO BURNED. THE VEHICLE HAD 1800 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. UPDATED *JB