DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT UNDER HOOD AREA WITHOUT WARNING. BYSTANDERS ALERTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO AWAIT FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR AND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. UPDATED 9/5/2006 - PRIOR TOT HE FIRE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS.*NM