While driving on ca hwy 18, our 2004 olds Bravada spontaneously caught fire. A passing motorist shouted to my husband that his car was on fire. He pulled over; the fire dept. Responded. Car was towed to GM dealer; usaa ins. Determined that it was totaled. It was towed to their yard in no. Hollywood where it now is. GM hired an engineer to check the car. GM then told us that a photo taken after the fire & tows showed the transmission fluid dip stick had not been properly secured & this caused the fire. The car had one oil change about 2 months prior to the fire. In writing, GM said "after careful investigation of your case, none of the available data suggests that the product allegation has any merit..." & referred us back to our ins. Co. usaa hired an engineer & their conclusion states: "the cause & origin of the fire was a failure of a power steering hose in the lower right of the engine compartment. The failed hose sprayed power steering fluid on the right side exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter where it was ignited by a spark from the spark plugs and/or heat from the catalytic converter." I have the full report which also states ""the right underside of the vehicle was covered with power steering fluid...the power steering fluid reservoir was melted downward from the top. The power steering hoses in the lower right of the engine compartment were damaged. Power steering fluid spray patterns were found beneath the right side of the engine compartment and along the front of the catalytic converter. The fire ignited quickly after the power steering fluid leak began as the power steering pump still turned freely... no other fire causes or contributors were found...

- Cedar Glen, CA, USA