NHTSA Complaint #10263700 — 2003 FORD ESCAPE

I HAVE A 03 FORD ESCAPE, AND THE TROUBLE IS ENDLESS. THE CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND IT IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD IT IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP ABOUT 6 TIMES AND HAS HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS. THE FAILURE TO START IS SCARY BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO EXPLODE OR WHAT. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT IT IS A SENSOR THAT GOES OUT AND TELLS THE CAR IT DOESN'T HAVE TO START. BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES AND THE OTHER DAY IT DID IT AGAIN. I HATE TO GO OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. AND ANOTHER THING THE SMELL OF THE ENGINE IS CRAZY MY DAUGHTER HAS ASTHMA AND TALKING ABOUT A PROBLEM FOR HER IT IS. I CAN GO TO WORK AND GO BACK 30 MINUTES LATER TO MY CAR AND YOU CAN TELL THAT IT IS STILL SMELLING OF COURSE WHERE I GOT IT FROM THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NO CONCERN IT WAS DUE TO THE FACT OF THEM DROPPING OIL WHEN THEY DID A CHANGE, COME ON PEOPLE 2 MONTHS LATER. I FEAR THAT ONE DAY IT WILL EXPLODE I JUST PRAY TO GOD THAT MY FAMILY IS NOT IN THERE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND FROM READING IN HERE I AM SCARED TO DEATH. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME FAMILY LOSES A MEMBER. *TR