NHTSA Complaint #10130557 — 2002 FORD ESCAPE

DT: FORD 2002 ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 27, 2005. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED IN THE VEHICLE. THE WALLS IN THE GARAGE HAD HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE. THEY HAD TO CUT THE GARAGE DOOR TO GET IN. THE CONSUMER CAN'T SLEEP IN THE HOUSE DUE TO THE SMOKE DAMAGE. *AK *JB *SC PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (NOVEMBER 7, 2005): DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE TOWN HOUSE GARAGE FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE HEAVIEST DAMAGE WAS AT THE DRIVE SIDE FIREWALL AREA. THE YELLOW ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON THREE WEEKS AGO; THE DEALER SAID BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IS DUE.