2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee headliner fire relating to Chrysler recall P36, sun visor vanity lamp wiring. Vanity lamp wiring short circuited causing a fire in the headliner and sun visor on the driver's side.
While driving the car on the night of 11/27/15 started smelling noxious fumes in addition to lots of smoke coming from the headliner all across the top of the windshield. Scary as hell. I immediately drove the car eight miles home. Lucky to make it home. The car was parked in the driveway, about 15' from my house and 12' away from a fiberglass boat full of gasoline. At that time, I had had no idea just how serious this problem would become. I figured the problem was electrical and thought it would be good to disconnect the battery. After finally locating the battery, which by the way is under the front seat passenger's side, I saw fire break out in the headliner just above the driver's side front window. Luckily a garden hose with high pressure nozzle was nearby and connected to an outside faucet. I was able to extinguish the fire with water from the garden hose. The fire department was called during the fire and arrived within 10 minutes of the call. They cut out the headliner, cut the wiring and disconnected the battery.
I reported the fire to Chrysler the following day, 11/28/15. An investigator was sent by Chrysler to investigate. The investigator arrived at my home on 12/03/15 and took pictures and got detailed information. The investigator's report was sent to Chrysler on 12/04/15 and was received by Chrysler around 12/08/15. I have not heard anything from Chrysler concerning this matter. I have called the Jeep recall center over 12 times since 11/28/15 to find out the status on this matter. They tell me that my case has been escalated to Zone 82S, which is Chrysler's investigative/legal department and that I should be hearing from someone from that department within the next two to three business days. It never happens.
Additionally, I had had the original P36 recall service performed by the Chrysler dealer four months prior to this fire. There is now a new recall, R71, that has been announced by Chrysler to address the vanity lamp wiring issues that were not fixed in the original P36 recall service procedure. It appears there are Chrysler dealers that improperly performed the original recall procedure that is leading to Jeep headliner fires. I am honestly trying to get this matter resolved with Chrysler, but they are not responding. I do not know what their game is. Obviously they are not being responsible in addressing this matter with me. According to what I am able to learn over the Internet about this situation, I am not the only one out there going through this with Chrysler, so JEEP OWNERS BEWARE!
Update from Jan 24, 2016: I was contacted by Chrysler on January 22 concerning this matter. They have offered to replace the vehicle. I was really wondering and concerned how this thing might end up, but they have stepped up big time. Props to Chrysler for doing the right thing.
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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee headliner fire relating to Chrysler recall P36, sun visor vanity lamp wiring. Vanity lamp wiring short circuited causing a fire in the headliner and sun visor on the driver's side.
While driving the car on the night of 11/27/15 started smelling noxious fumes in addition to lots of smoke coming from the headliner all across the top of the windshield. Scary as hell. I immediately drove the car eight miles home. Lucky to make it home. The car was parked in the driveway, about 15' from my house and 12' away from a fiberglass boat full of gasoline. At that time, I had had no idea just how serious this problem would become. I figured the problem was electrical and thought it would be good to disconnect the battery. After finally locating the battery, which by the way is under the front seat passenger's side, I saw fire break out in the headliner just above the driver's side front window. Luckily a garden hose with high pressure nozzle was nearby and connected to an outside faucet. I was able to extinguish the fire with water from the garden hose. The fire department was called during the fire and arrived within 10 minutes of the call. They cut out the headliner, cut the wiring and disconnected the battery.
I reported the fire to Chrysler the following day, 11/28/15. An investigator was sent by Chrysler to investigate. The investigator arrived at my home on 12/03/15 and took pictures and got detailed information. The investigator's report was sent to Chrysler on 12/04/15 and was received by Chrysler around 12/08/15. I have not heard anything from Chrysler concerning this matter. I have called the Jeep recall center over 12 times since 11/28/15 to find out the status on this matter. They tell me that my case has been escalated to Zone 82S, which is Chrysler's investigative/legal department and that I should be hearing from someone from that department within the next two to three business days. It never happens.
Additionally, I had had the original P36 recall service performed by the Chrysler dealer four months prior to this fire. There is now a new recall, R71, that has been announced by Chrysler to address the vanity lamp wiring issues that were not fixed in the original P36 recall service procedure. It appears there are Chrysler dealers that improperly performed the original recall procedure that is leading to Jeep headliner fires. I am honestly trying to get this matter resolved with Chrysler, but they are not responding. I do not know what their game is. Obviously they are not being responsible in addressing this matter with me. According to what I am able to learn over the Internet about this situation, I am not the only one out there going through this with Chrysler, so JEEP OWNERS BEWARE!
Update from Jan 24, 2016: I was contacted by Chrysler on January 22 concerning this matter. They have offered to replace the vehicle. I was really wondering and concerned how this thing might end up, but they have stepped up big time. Props to Chrysler for doing the right thing.
- alanal, Pelham, AL, US