NHTSA Complaint #10667224 — 2006 FORD ESCAPE

ON MY HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH IN OUR 2006 FORD ESCAPE 4 CYL SUV. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. FREAKED OUT I PULLED OFF IN A DRIVEWAY. WE POURED SODA POP FROM 2 LITRES ON THE FIRE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAME. THE MESH PIPE BEFORE THE LAST CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS GLOWING RED. I HAVE READ MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALL YEARS OF FORD ESCAPE. IT IS IN MY OPINION THE REAR CONVERTER STOPPED UP CAUSING THIS DAMAGE TO OUR ONCE LOVELY RIDE.NOW I AM NOT EVEN SURE IF IT WILL RUN. THE HEAT FROM THINGS LIKE THIS CAUSES MAJOR STRESS ON INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS AS THE EXHAUST HAS NO WHERE TO GO. THEN WHEN THE ENGINE EXPLODES AS IT SHOULD FIRE STARTS. WE ARE NOW OUT OF A RIDE UNTIL WE CAN PAY AN EXTREME AMOUNT FOR THIS DEFECTIVE SUV. *TR