NHTSA Complaint #10111894 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

MY WIFE STARTED OUR 2005 ESCAPE AND PLACED OUR GRANDAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT. MY WIFE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND WHEN SHE LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW, SHE NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE QUICKLY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, REMOVED MY CRYING GRANDAUGHTER FROM HER SEAT, AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. SHE EVENTUALLY SUCCEEDED, BUT NOT BEFORE THE HEAT CRACKED THE MIRROR AND MELTED THE HOUSING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED (AND NOTED) THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE THE MIRROR MELTED AND STARTED THE FIRE. PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND SENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR REPAIR AUTHORIZATION. FORD RESPONDED WITH A LETTER TO ME, TITLED "GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS," AND DIRECTED ME TO SIGN IT BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE AUTHORIZED. I DID NOT SIGN THE LEGAL DOCUMENT, AS I WAS UNSURE OF THE MEANING OF ALL THE LEGAL TERMS. ON 18 FEB 05, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FORD MOTOR COMAPANY CONSUMER AFFAIRS CALLED ME. (VINCENT D. KIRKSEY) HE WAS VERY RUDE AND DEMANDING. HE BASICALLY TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS: EITHER SIGN THE FORM AND HAVE FORD REPAIR MY VEHICLE, OR HE WOULD RESCIND THE "OFFER" AND MAKE ME GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I ASKED HIM SEVERAL TIMES WHAT THE FORM WAS FOR, AND HE REPLIED IT WAS NECESSARY TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AND THAT IS WAS A POLICY OF FORD WITH THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. I TOLD HIM IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A THIRD OPTION - HE TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND USE IT - HE WAS RESCINDING FORD'S OFFER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED WITH MY FAMILY'S SAFETY - WE NOW DRIVE OUR 2005 ESCAPE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE VEHICLE - WE DO NOT WANT TO BURN UP OR HAVE OUR VEHICLE DESTROYED.