Recall repair leads to conflict over cause of fire in Dodge Durango

A couple in Newfoundland is blaming faulty recall work for a fire in their Dodge Durango, after the vehicle's sun visor burst into flames last summer.

The fire occurred six months after wiring in that part of the vehicle had been repaired under recall.

The St. John's dealership that did the work says a Transport Canada investigation was inconclusive as to the cause of the fire.

But Fiat Chrysler is now recalling more than 26,000 vehicles across the country that had the same repair.

Initial recall in 2014

The initial recall dates back to July 2014.

It applied to DodgeDurangosand Jeep Grand Cherokees for the 2011 to 2014 model years.

• Transport Canada Recall # 2014275

"On certain vehicles equipped with illuminated sun visor vanity mirrors, service repairs requiring removal of the sun visors and/or headliner may cause an electrical short circuit, which could increase the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property," the recall notice advises.

"Correction: Dealers will inspect wiring for damage and repair as necessary, re-route wiring and install a sun visor spacer."

The Olmsteads had that work done in January 2015.

But six months later, Colin Olmstead was stopped at a red light when he saw flames near the sun visor.

"So I just reached over in more of a panic and just patted the fire out," he told CBC News.

The sun visor clip hadmelted. His hand, and the headliner, were burned.

The Olmsteads think they know what caused the problem.

"Up until that vehicle went in for that recall, we never had any issues with electrical," Colin Olmstead said.

Last year, after the fire, Transport Canada sent an investigator to St. John's to examine the Durango.

The report did not definitively conclude that the recall work caused the fire.

But it did say "a strong possibility exists that the problems evidenced were affected by the repairs."

Lawsuit seeks $23K in damages

After the fire, the Olmsteads brought their Durango back to the St. John's-based dealer, Hickman Chrysler.

But they say the manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler, wanted them to sign a confidentiality agreement before fixing the damage.

They wouldn't.

So their Durango sat at the dealership for six months.

Last month, the Olmsteads sued the local dealership which did the initial recall repair and the manufacturer for more than $23,000 in expenses and damages.

In a statement of defence filed at court, Hickman Chrysler says there is no proof the repair work caused the fire, and noted that fire-related repairs are not covered under warranty.

"The customer requested Transport Canada conduct an investigation into this matter. This investigation was completed and received at this dealership on Dec. 10, 2015. The results of the Transport Canada report were inconclusive as to the cause of the event."

And Hickman Chrysler insists the Olmsteads were the ones responsible for the six-month delay first for not accepting Fiat Chrysler's initial offer, then by asking for the Transport Canada probe.

"The time it took for this investigation was customer initiated. The customer asked for and received the report of the investigation but (they) were unhappy with the outcome of the investigation."

Hickman Chrysler ended up fixing the Durango anyway, calling it a goodwill gesture and covering the cost of the repairs. The vehicle was returned to the Olmsteads last month.

But Janet Olmstead is not satisfied.

"To say to me on Jan. 7, here's your vehicle, we completely fixed it,we cleaned inside and out and we filled up your gas tank as a goodwill gesture, I said no, that's exactly six months too late," she said.

"It's not good enough, it's not good enough for me."

New recall issued

Now there's a new recall also for wiring issues near the sun visor.

• Transport Canada Recall # 2015615

It applies to Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees for the 2011 and 2012 model years, including those that were previously repaired under the earlier recall.

Transport Canada says the manufacturer has yet to determine a fix.

That makes Janet Olmstead nervous.

"In that vehicle I will forever be wondering, 'Is it going to happen now?'Right? What will be next?"

Fiat Chrysler response

The manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler, won't comment on the Olmsteads' situation because of the pending lawsuit, but noted there is nothing unusual about the request for the couple to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

"The release is standard in every settlement transaction, not just FCA, and is in place to protect the terms of settlements, which are confidential," LouAnn Gosselin, head of communications for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Canada, noted in an email to CBC News.

Gosselin steered questions about the new recall to a statement on the Fiat Chrysler website.

• FCA Statement: Vanity-Mirror Wiring

"Overheating conditions were reported among a small percentage of vehicles (

"An FCA US LLC investigation discovered the service procedure, if not followed precisely, may leave vehicles susceptible to a short-circuit, creating a potential fire hazard."

In that statement, Fiat Chrysler says it is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

The notice saysthat customers will be advised when they may schedule service for the new recall work, which will be performed free of charge.