The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that in an attempt to start the vehicle, the vehicle would begin to smoke and stall without warning. The dealer diagnosed that there was a short in the spark plugs, causing the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000 and the current mileage was 68,200. Updated 02/09/12 the vehicle was reaired. Updated 02/13/12

- Haskell, OK, USA

The contact was traveling at 60 mph on the freeway and the vehicle lost power. There was no warning prior to the failure. The emergency brake was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealership, who determined it was the spark plugs. Also the coil pack malfunctioned. The vehicle is at the dealership.

- Vancouver , WA, USA

My wife started our 2005 Escape and placed our grandaughter in her car seat. My wife smelled something burning and when she looked out her window, she noticed the driver's side mirror was engulfed in flames. She quickly shut the vehicle off, removed my crying grandaughter from her seat, and attempted to put the flames out. She eventually succeeded, but not before the heat cracked the mirror and melted the housing. I took my vehicle to a Ford dealership, and it was discovered (and noted) that the heating element inside the mirror melted and started the fire. Pictures were taken and sent to Ford Motor Company for repair authorization. Ford responded with a letter to me, titled "general release of all claims, " and directed me to sign it before repairs could be authorized. I did not sign the legal document, as I was unsure of the meaning of all the legal terms. On 18 Feb 05, a representative from Ford Motor Comapany Consumer Affairs called me. (vincent D. kirksey) he was very rude and demanding. He basically told me I had two options: Either sign the form and have Ford repair my vehicle, or he would rescind the "offer" and make me go through my insurance company. I asked him several times what the form was for, and he replied it was necessary to authorize the repair and that is was a policy of Ford with this type of incident. I told him it sounded like I had a third option - he told me to go ahead and use it - he was rescinding Ford's offer to repair my vehicle under warranty. I am concerned with my family's safety - we now drive our 2005 Escape with a fire extinguisher in the vehicle - we do not want to burn up or have our vehicle destroyed.

- Westernville, NY, USA