NHTSA complaint #11524569

Owner complaint summary

May 1st, 2023 at approx. 3:30pm There were NO warning lights or messages of ANY kind received. No warning given by mail or phone call from selling agent that was issued March 12th, 2021. Was driving on interstate going south headed home after work. Approx 15 mi from home when smoke starting coming into the vehicle & from under the hood. Traveling in fast lane, appox 70mph in heavy traffic. Tried to pull over to see what the problem was but traffic wouldn't allow it, & I could not get to side of road & missed the next exit. So I proceeded to next rest area that I knew was less than a mile on my side. When there is smoke you usually find fire! As I entered the exit ramp to rest area I passed out from smoke inhalation. SUV continued traveling straight ahead at approx 55 mph & hit parked 18 wheeler tractor-trailer, I bounced off it, circled around & ended up facing West. I was still unconscious, truck driver & security guard pulled me from my suv. Just as they did the vehicle exploded into flames. Nothing left of vehicle. Rescuers could not see if any other passengers were in car because the black smoke was so thick & flames were shooting from under hood. Transported via ambulance to regional trauma & burn center to critical care ICU. There they did full test to check for stroke, heart, or other problems but I was in great health. I did have 4 broken ribs on left, cut in top of skull that took 8 staples, stitches in right eyebrow, damaged forehead, & various 1st, 2nd, & 3rd degree burns on my face, neck, right ear, left forearm, & both hands burned sufficiently! My shirt MELTED. SUV definitely had a problem that I was NOT aware of, for it to just start smoking, driving down the road. Purchased 3-7-23 from Hertz Car Sales. Only had SUV for 79 days/ 2 months! Loved the vehicle but it almost killed me! Thanks forever to my guardian Angel that saved my life! This model SUV must be recalled to save lives in the future & repair such a dangerous issue!