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1994 CHRYSLER LHS — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

fire · 835677 · 2011-01-09

Vehicle

Make
CHRYSLER
Model
LHS
Year
1994
Manufacturer
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Miles at failure
145,000

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
0
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
Yes
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

I OWN A 1994 CHRYSLER LHS. ON JAN 2, 2011, I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A STRANGE SOUND (LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR) FOR APPROX 2 MONTHS. I HAD SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC FOR JAN 4,2011. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS STEAM START RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, BUT THEN I SAW BRIGHT RED, YELLOW AND ORANGE FLAMES ALONG THE HOODS EDGE. MY PASSENGER AND I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN RUNNING. WITHIN 15 SECONDS FLAMES SHOT 30 FEET IN THE AIR. I CALLED 911 AND FIRE AND POLICE RESPONDED. THE FIRE DEPT WAS THERE WITHIN MINUTES AND THE FIRE HAD ONLY BURNED APPROX 15 MINUTES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. JUST THE ENGINE BLOCK SAT ON THE TAR STREET. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID FOR THE FIRE TO HAVE BURNED SO HOT, SO FAST, IT MUST HAVE BEEN LEAKING FUEL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS OR EVEN A YEAR. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT THE FUEL INJECTOR RECALL, THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I ONLY CARRIED LIABILITY INSURANCE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE. *TR

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
10375301
Machine
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