THIS WAS A LOW MILEAGE (9K) LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD PRISTINE CONDITION AUDI S6. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND THEN PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER SAT IN THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE OFF PRIOR TO EXITING THE VEHICLE. BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE WE SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE. WE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD FLAME AND SMOKE EMANATING FROM UNDER ITS HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AS WE WERE UNABLE TO DO SO WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BURNED. IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A FIRE CAUSE AND ORIGIN INSPECTOR AND AUDI. I HAVE BEEN TOLD VERBALLY THAT THE FIRE LIKELY BEGAN IN SOME ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT AREA. AUDI HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY EXTERNAL FACTORS BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED ANY OTHER FEEDBACK FROM AUDI AS TO WHAT THE ACTUAL DEFECT. WAS. JUST TO RE-CAP: 1. THE IGNITION WAS OFF 2. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING 3. THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. 4. IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY 5. THE CAR WAS IN LIKE-NEW CONDITION, WELL MAINTAINED AND WITH NO KNOWN DEFECTS. 6. WE WERE LUCKY THE CAR WAS NOT IN THE GARAGE AS THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA ODI 10943990