TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, A LOUD TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND DETECTED THAT THE TICKING NOISE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST SPOTS AND SUBSTANTIAL CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.