2003 Ford Escape: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · AL · fire

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact's nephew stated while driving approximately 35 mph, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact pulled over and fire started coming from under the hood. The fire department was called out however, the fire was extinguished before they arrived. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's sister’s residence. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Aug 20, 2019 · Electrical · 175,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while his vehicle was not running and sitting in his driveway, the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The contact was able to extinguish the fire on his own, no injuries occurred and no fire report was taken. Upon investigation the contact associated the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v156000 (electrical system) with his failure. The contact spoke with a dealer (apple ford 3250 cape horn rd, red lion, pa 17356 717‑429‑0726) and was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer to determine the cause of the failure/fire. The dealer informed the contact that the fire was related to the recall associated with the vehicle. When the contact informed the manufacturer of the failure, they informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 175,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Engine · 98,500 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a ranch, someone looked out the window and found the vehicle on fire. The police and the fire department were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire report and police report were filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was totaled and was not towed away. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact inquired about the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 98,500.

Filed Aug 13, 2017 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · VA · fire

The car was parked in a shopping center parking lot no one was in it. It some how caught on fire, when we got the fire out and towed to the shop, it was the alternator that caused the fire and did several $1000.00 damage. There were no issues with the car no warning lights.

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Body · 238,000 miles · NC · fire

My vehicle was setting in my driveway on 4/14/2017 and the neighbor came pounding on my door stating my vehicle was on fire. He tried putting the fire out to avoid the fire from reaching the gas tank and also spraying the side of my house to try to keep it from catching the siding on fire. The front drivers side tire blew up so he dropped the hose and ran.when the fire dept got here it had already burned my vehicle all the way up and melted the siding on the house. The fire chief was unable to determine the cause of the fire because of the way everything was burned! Nothing was left but the 2 rear tires and wheels and the 2 back tail light lens. I had drove it 2 1/2 hrs before the fire started so the motor was already cooled off! I've checked for recalls but none to be found on this yr model. I also filed a complaint with recall center and with ford motor corporation.all they said was I would receive the report within the next 15 days. It's been 11 days now and still haven't received anything! Complaint #: 10978773 (ford corp) fire department incident #: 17-1703168....keith fitch. Fire chief...

Filed Apr 17, 2017 · Engine · 237,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the a neighbor alerted that the vehicle was caught on fire. The contact then noticed that there were flames coming from the engine compartment and under the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle remained at the contacts residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic) as a possible reason for the failure however the VIN was not included. There were no injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 237,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 148,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 75 MPH, the contact smelled smoke coming from the engine. The contact noticed the vehicle was smoking and rushed home. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake system module harness and master cylinder needed to be replaced. In addition, the ABS warning light illuminated and the braking system caught fire. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 148,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 18, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 180,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 5 MPH, there was smoke coming from the front driver side of the vehicle without warning. The contact discovered flames underneath the vehicle. A police officer extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 124,826 miles · TX

As I was driving, I pressed the accelerator approximately 3/4 of the way to pass a vehicle. When I released the pedal- the vehicle continued to accelerate. I was eventually able to get the vehicle to stop after placing the transmission in neutral and firmly applying the brakes. As I came to a stop, the vehicle was beginning to smoke, and I feared it was going to catch on fire. I immediately exited the vehicle, and the engine was still running at full throttle. After several minutes, the vehicle began to smoke worse and then I heard a loud bang. The vehicle motor stopped and a large puddle of oil and metal was on the ground under the vehicle. I have since learned that there is an active recall for this exact problem from ford due to a throttle cable sticking. Ford has refused to repair the additional damage caused to my vehicle caused by an active recall.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Brakes · 162,063 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contacts owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle caught on fire from under the hood. A police report was filed and it was stated that the fire started near the ABS brakes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN number was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v156000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure and current mileage was 162,063.

Filed May 13, 2013 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 102,000 miles · SC · fire

On may 8,2013, the anti-theft alarm sounded while my car sat in the driveway. It had not been driven for 3 + hours. Upon investigation of the alarm, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The wiring harness attached to the ABS had a small flame and smoke from its wiring insulation. After extinguishing the flame and disconnecting the battery, I called for a tow . The safety features worked well and locked out the entire auto system. The service technician said there was a recall ( recall 07s51 suppl #2 dtd 9 oct 2009 ) and that ford should probably provide a fix or credit toward said fix. The car was then towed to a ford dealership. The current status is: 1.) the wiring harness is no longer manufactured by ford and the dealership has no approved provisions to secure a harness. 2.) recall 07s51 was implemented per their records so there is no provision for the dealership to fix this issue even if they could get a wiring harness and then troubleshoot the extent of the damage.3.) my private insurance's comprehensive plan does not cover a vehicle sitting static for a wiring fire. 4.) I am awaiting forms from ford quality group to plea for consideration. Once the forms are completed and received by ford corporate offices, their lawyers will require approx 15 days to make a determination if my claim has merit.

Filed Nov 27, 2012 · 130,000 miles · CA · fire

I entered my car to see the dash board lights were illuminated even with car in off poistion and key removed. Tried starting car and there was no response. Tried several times and eventually got car to start. Drove several blocks, parked and the car and even after removing key, could not get car to turn off. After several attempts, the car turned off. I could hear what sounded like a fan running in the area near my break fluid. After letting the car sit for about 2 hours, I needed to drive home. I drove serveral hundred yards before I started to smell burning rubber. When I saw black smoke coming from under my hood I pulled off the road. The flames started to get bigger. I call 911 but they did not arrive in time to save the car. The car was engulfed in flames. The engine and interitor were torched. Cause of fire has yet to be determined.