NHTSA Complaint #10459163 — 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND 'MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZRARD WARNING LAMP' CAME ON. FORTUNATELY I ONLY HAD TO CROSS ONE LANE IN MODEST TRAFFIC. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS STATE 'STOP THE VEHICLE, SHIFT TO PARK, TURN THE KEY TO OFF POSITION AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IF THE FAULT REMAINS, THE VEHICLE MAY REQUIRE RESETTING THE SHUT-OFF SWITCHES.' FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING WITHOUT RESETTING ANY SWITCHES. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED OFF AND HAS NOT COME BACK ON AGAIN. I HAVE SHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB FOR DRIVERS WITH SIMILIAR EXPERIENCES AND HAVE COME ACROSS QUITE A FEW. I PERSONALLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT CAN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, ESPECIALLY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE FACT THAT FORD HAS INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR 'RESETTING THE FUEL PUMP/HIGH VOLTAGE SHUT OFF SWITCHES' IS ALARMING IN ITSELF ESSENTIALLY I CAN BE TRAVELING IN URBAN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND A COMPUTER CAN DECIDE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I URGE YOU TO REQUIRE FORD TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT. *TT