NHTSA complaint: 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE HAD JUST PULLED UP TO THE PARKING LOT GARAGE OF THE MOVIE THEATER. WE TURNED THE CAR OFF TOOK THE KEY OUT TO LEAVE BUT THE AC BLOWER STAYED RUNNING. I WENT TO TURN IT OFF AND THE ALARM WENT CRAZY. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT THAT WE HIT THE PANIC BUTTON SO WE WERE TYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP IT. THEN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OFF AND THE WASHER FLUID STARTED SPRAYING. ALL THIS WHILE WE WERE IN OUR VEHICLE. NEXT THING YOU KNOW WE POP THE HOOD TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO OPEN IT BECAUSE IT WAS NEW. I JUST HAD MY CAR FOR THREE WEEKS AND IT IS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. WE THEN SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. I LOOKED AND I SAW FIRE AND YELLED FIRE TO MY HUSBAND, BROTHER AND NEPHEW. WE GOT MY NEPHEW OUT OF HIS CAR SEAT AND RAN FOR COVER AND IN A MINUTE OUR VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES ALL THIS INFRONT OF OUR EYES. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 6 EXPLOSIONS AND THE CAR IS TOAST. WE HAD NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. OUR LIVES WERE PUT IN DANGER AND OUR DEALERSHIP IS IGNORING OUR PHONE CALLS. ONE OFFICER TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ONE OF THREE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL TO CATCH FIRE IN THREE WEEKS THAT HE RESPONDED TO. I WANT TO SPREAD THE WORD OUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation