Car on fire: a family's nightmare

A family setting off for a drive in the country, in their brand new $70,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then, suddenly, something terrifying: smoke and flames.

Three hours after the family set off, their vehicle lost power. The engine was revving, then suddenly, there was smoke.

Thinking only of his wife and baby son, the driver bailed his family out and ran to safety. In a matter of seconds, their new four wheel drive was burning out.

Jeeps are made by Daimler Chrysler. They hired an expert to do a forensic vehicle examination.

The company is keeping that report secret, but last month the findings were revealed in a letter to the owner: "In relation to the thermal incident in your vehicle, in review of the investigation conducted by FCS, they concluded that the cause of the fire was most likely an escape of petrol vapours in the engine compartment, following the detachment of the petrol vapour vent hose."

Meanwhile, the insurer, the NRMA, conducted its own investigation.

Unlike Daimler Chrysler, the NRMA found the cause could not be determined. The damage was too catastrophic.

NRMA Insurance paid out the owner's claim in full and closed the file.

So, was this a one-off? Daimler Chrysler said yes, but refused to show us the proof.

The company, the world's fifth-largest car maker, last year made $9 billion worldwide.

We don't know if this fire was due to a manufacturing fault. Here is what is known:

• In October 2002, Daimler Chrysler Australia recalled some Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler vehicles to fix a problem that could result in a fire in the engine bay.

• In September 2005, Daimler Chrysler recalled more than 100,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees because water contamination of the transmission fluid could lead to fires under the hood. The recall involved the 2005 model, the same year as this vehicle but with the smaller 3.7-litre engine.

• Last July, 260,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees were recalled due to reports of breaking cooling fan blades and seat fires.

• Then, in February this year, Daimler Chrylser recalled 51,000 vehicles of various models, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, to replace the anti-lock braking software as it could lock up and send the car out of control.

Of course, recalls are not limited to Daimler Chrysler. Ford and Toyota also recalled more than a million cars each last year.

In Australia, Daimler Chrysler and Honda had the most recalls to fix problems in 2006, ranging from oil leaks and loss of steering to potential fires.

But during our investigation, we discovered some unusual claims about Jeeps in general.

"It's our most complained about brand," Alborz Fallah of the website www.caradvice.com.au said. He claimed he received more complaints about Jeeps than any other make, but the complaints did not stay on the website for long.

"From what our readers tell us, once Jeep finally actually agree to fix the car, they tell the customer they have to contact us and get us to remove the complaint as part of the deal to actually fix the car," Mr Fallah said.

Car Advice website: www.caradvice.com.au