TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. BLACK SMOKE THEN BEGAN TO RISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000.