Complaint 2207108

Complaint Summary

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owner Narrative

On 5/8/2026 at 1555 hours, while driving at normal freeway speed under normal driving conditions, vehicle began an exhaust system regeneration cycle. During the course of the region cycle, vehicle began to smoke excessively and realizing this wan not normal, I was able to yield to the right shoulder of the roadway. Almost immediately the vehicle ignited on fire and completely burned to the ground. The fire appeared to have commenced in the engine compartment, driver side near the firewall. The location of which appears to be consistent with reports of fuel filter failures I have read about in the past. The resulting fire ignited nearby brush which burned several hundred feet of brush and resulted in the spillage of diesel fuel and coolant which combined from the resulting melting of the coolant system and fuel tank and lines. This incident put both me and surrounding communities at risk, particularly from the resulting fire and HAZMAT spill. The vehicle was in good running condition prior to this incident. The incident was investigated by the Templeton California Highway Patrol.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.