NHTSA Complaint #10273925 — 2004 FORD ESCAPE

WHILE BODY WORK WAS BEING CONDUCED AT A DEALER FOR A SCRAPED FENDER, DEALER EMPLOYEE STARTED VEHICLE AFTER PAINT OPERATIONS. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INSTANTLY AND VIOLENTLY EXPLODED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILE, WAS DRIVEN INTO THE DEALER FOR THE BODY WORK, AND HAS HAD NO SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE STILL STARTS AND WILL HOLD AN ROUGH IDLE. THE TIMING BELT IS INTACT. THIS VEHICLE USES DIRECT FUEL INJECTION AND A DRY INTAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL PROCEDURES INCLUDING PAINTING PROCESS WERE PROPERLY FOLLOWED LEADING UP TO THE EXPLOSION. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE BODY SHOP FINISHING BODY WORK. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN REACHED CONCERNING THE MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TR