2004 Ford Escape: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 14, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 183,000 miles · ND · fire

The vehicle was a 2004 ford escape. It was parked on the street, everything was turned off and the vehicle was not running. I was in work when I was informed that my vehicle was on fire. Nothing was on to start this fire, it happened spontaneously. The fire seems to have started in the vicinity of the drivers side engine bay. Previous to this incident, there were no mechanical or electrical issues with the vehicle.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Engine · 65,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle spontaneously caught fire under the hood and the check engine indicator illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. There were no injuries. The fire department was called to the scene. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2018 · Engine · 82,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving unknown speeds, smoke emerged from the hood and the vehicle spontaneously caught fire without warning. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (don's ford, 5712 horatio st, utica, ny 13502) and was informed to contact the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer at 1‑800‑392‑3673 and got the automated system before the call disconnected. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed May 1, 2017 · Engine · 140,000 miles · NY

Vehicle at idle, misfired. Pulled off and went to drive onto the highway. Vehicle lost all power and it got worse. A smell came from the front and smoke came out of the dash. Had the driver, two toddlers, and I (passenger) in the vehicle. Driver and I were coughing from the smell and the smoke. Had to roll down the windows in the front and partly roll them down in the rear during the rain. Made it 2-3 miles before we turned around and went back home.

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · IN · fire

Drove my 2004 ford escape 20 minutes to get pizza and come back home parked it at 8pm by 12:30am neighbors banging on door your cars on fire!!!! I'm in believe the ABS module caught fire recall is out ford says my vehicle doesn't apply

Filed Nov 17, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · KS · fire

We own a 2004 escape. That two weeks ago caught fire due to the ABS control module. We also have had brake lines go bad due to part failure twice. And the total of three alternators. Now we have spoken to ford regarding the 01-03 fire issue. But they will not do anyrhing to consider the 04 even though in researching the actual recall it was the same issue. I woulf like to see this happen. We are selling our vehicle to the sealer sue to lack of reliability. But wanted to vet the word out on this issue. Our engine also idle and tries to pull the vehicle forward even with the brakes applied. This is due to a faulty idle air controll valve.

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Body, Wheels · 80,850 miles · NY

The rightside of my wheelwell was rotted out along with the floor around it that held the wheel well the shock needed to be replaced as well. When I went to the dealership to get the wheel well they told me this was a well known part to be replaced. So I asked why was it not a recall on it no answer could he give me. I was getting a burning smell from my exhaust (muffler fumes) as I drove home many times I felt myself getting sleepy as I drove on to get to my destination I prayed toget safely there little did I know I was getting fumes in my car that caused this. I have driven with my young grandchildren in this dangerous condition in this car my question is if the ford dealership knew of this to be a well known problem why did they not recall it I only thank the lord that it did not kill me or my grandchildren. Also it past inspection a year ago how could they have not seen what was happening in this area. I do have pictures of it and it was even worst then the pictures I have seen online proof one more time that god is always on yourside if you believe everyone else please check your wheel well god bless!

Filed Jan 26, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 155,000 miles · DE

Driving down road and the rpms on my 2004 escape jump up. So I try to slow down and car keeps accelerating. Throw car into park because brakes wouldn't slow it down. Ever site I read says it is the accelerator cable. Supposedly this was replaced by dealer while in for air bag indicator light repair in december 2012. Under recall. Now when I start vehicle rpms jump, and get burning smell from motor. Cars rpms jump while driving down road also. Battery and alternator were replaced in may 2013 but since they were replaced battery indicator light is dimly lite upon accelerating. I have spent a fortune on this vehicle and every time I turn around it needs more work. I also after getting battery and alternator replaced had to put a new throttle body component in because motor was racing to 3000 rpms while in park or while foot was on break. Please help. I am scared to death to drive this vehicle like it is. Can not afford to put anymore money into it either.

Filed Sep 16, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 90,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the brake and accelerator pedals would not respond to pressure. The contact was able to move the steering wheel after much effort but shortly after, crashed into a utility box. The contact was not injured. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 90,000. Updated 04/22/14 ma when the consumers daughter crashed into the electrical box, it caught on fire, and spread to the vehicle. Updated 04/24/14

Filed Sep 14, 2012 · Acceleration · 155,000 miles · AR · crash · fire

My daughter was about a mile from home after taking a friend home. It was august 27, 2012 around 9:30pm. Her car went off the road crashed into a tree and caught fire. She was killed in the accident. What is puzzling is there were no skid marks, no signs of braking. It has been brought to our attention just yesterday that there was a recall on her automobile that we were never aware of. We were told that if there was a throttle problem then that would maybe explain the absent skid marks and no signs of braking. She was only 19 years old. I was told to contact you and that maybe you could help. Thank you for all you can do. [xxx] heartsick mother information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 27, 2012 · Acceleration · TX · crash

As I was accelerating to get on the freeway I felt my car accelerate beyond the speed in which I was applying pressure. I immediately removed my foot from the pedal but the pedal remained all the way on the floor board. I tried braking but the brake pedal applied no stopping force. I exited the freeway not knowing what was ahead in terms of innocent bystanders and traffic. Not knowing how to proceed I began standing on the brake with both feet and lifting the emergency brake. My car continued to gain speed and showed no signs of slowing down. I drove the right side of my vehicle down some concrete construction barriers on the feeder in hopes that it would slow the vehicle but our speed was so great at this point we were bouncing off and I was afraid we would cause a more horrific accident by being thrown back on to the freeway. I made it through an intersection narrowly missing a truck driving through. I got on to the other side of the concrete barriers at the intersection and began driving on the dirt road under construction. Searching for something to crashed into to stop my vehicle as each passing second our speed increased, I located a telephone pole and crashed into it with my two small children, my mother and myself in the vehicle. I am unsure if the vehicle caught fire but there were bystanders would came with a fire extinguisher and sprayed my engine. I am also unsure of the speed of the vehicle at the point of impact. The last time I looked it was around 60 miles per hour when I was entering the freeway.

Filed Apr 30, 2007 · Brakes · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact received recall # 07v156000 concerning service brakes, hydraulic: antilock:control unit/module, but was unacknowledged by the dealer. Also, the contact stated that the dealer was unaware of the recall in a timely manner, and feared that the vehicle may catch on fire. The vehiclewas not being driven , and the contact had an appointment on may 2, 2007 to get the recall repaired. The current mileage is 32,000 and the failure mileage was unknown. *ak updated 05/23/07.