NHTSA Complaint #10871139 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EMIT SMOKE FUMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE INVESTIGATOR CAME TO VIEW THE SCENE. NEITHER A POLICE NOR A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S RIGHT HAND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.