NHTSA Complaint #11343187 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED. THE BELT RIPPED APART THE HEAT SHIELD AND IGNITED THE SOUNDPROOF FOAM. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (J.C. LEWIS FORD HINESVILLE 309 W OGLETHORPE HIGHWAY HINESVILLE, GA 31313 912-876-3673) AND THEY INFORMED THE DAUGHTER THAT IT WAS THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THE BELT TENSIONER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOLD THE DEALER TO HOLD OFF INITIALLY ON REPAIRS UNTIL SHE CONSULTED WITH HER FATHER. THE DEALER CALLED HER BACK AND PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ANYWAY AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $300. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND THE HEAT SHIELD WAS DAMAGED AND STARTED TO SMOKE AND POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BACK AFTERWARDS AND THEY HAVEN'T CALLED BACK. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,780.