NHTSA Complaint #10556776 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

THE HEAT SHIELD ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR IS VERY CHEAPLY MADE AND IS FALLING APART. IT IS BASICALLY FIBERGLASS INSULATION COVERED WITH SHINY ALUMINUM FOIL. IT IS VERY FLIMSY AND EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. THE SHIELDING HAS COME LOOSE AND THE MORE I DRIVE, THE MORE THE WIND PULLS IT AND TEARS IT FROM THE CAR. IT IS NOW HANGING DOWN FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND, LAYING OVER THE EXHAUST AND DIRECTLY TOUCHING IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY POOR DESIGN TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS SO DELICATE AND FLIMSY TO BE DIRECTLY EXPOSED JUST INCHES FROM THE GROUND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE WHERE ANY SORT OF ROAD DEBRIS COULD EASILY DAMAGE IT AND CAUSE IT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH A HOT EXHAUST PIPE. I'M SURE ONCE IT CATCHES ON SOMETHING IT WOULD BE EASILY RIPPED FREE OF THE VEHICLE AND LEAVE ABSOLUTELY NO HEAT SHIELDING BETWEEN THE EXHAUST AND THE FLOORBOARD. *TR