ABS module connector caught fire while car was parked. Recall for ABS module connector inspection was completed 7/6/2007. Brought vehicle back in 1/7/2008 due to ABS light remaining on. No mention of ABS, noted rotors below specs and brake pads need replacing.

- Livingston, LA, USA

My airbag light keeps coming on every time I start my Ford Escape. Upon review of this it's been on complaint websites several times by hundreds of people. How many of these people need to die due to malfunction of the air bags before we have a recall. This light has been on since I've owned the vehicle. Also my window stopped going up. The dipstick can't give a clear reading of the oil amount. These things lead to death, constant and costly repair, and constant problems.

- Marion, IN, USA

2002 Ford Escape electrical fire. Vehicle had been driven that day, but had gone less than a mile when it was noted the SUV had a smoky smell and we pulled over. Within minutes the entire engine compartment was involved. It appeared to start near the battery, the battery was approximately 8 weeks old.

- Crystal River, FL, USA

The vehicle was parked in the driveway. While turning the ignition to start, there was a catastrophic engine explosion. The hood largely contained the fire. Luckily no one was injured and the fire did not last long and did not spread to the surroundings. A tow truck was called and the repair shop technician found the "intake manifold had blown to pieces". a code on the system indicated a misfire on cylinder 5. the vehicle was repaired for $1720, including cam position sensor, intake manifold, and ignition coil, relating to the incident.

- Houston, TX, USA

2002 Ford Escape cold parked, key-off vehicle fire - total loss uninsured and Ford so far has refused compensation.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

My driver's side headlight went out. I went to the local autozone to get a replacement bulb. When I removed the headlight plug, it looked like it was melted. I removed and installed a new light bulb. I then tested the new bulb to make sure it worked. It did not turned on. The headlight plug seems like it melted at some point.

- Joliet, IL, USA

My 2002 Ford Escape caught fire while parked and was recorded as a total loss. The consumer stated the fire started under the hood. Updated 06/23/10

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

I drove my 2002 Ford Escape to church Sunday morning, about 5 miles, when the ABS light came on. The car had not been previously driven that day. We parked the car and went in for services that morning and at the end of mass were called to the back by the priest who informed me that there was a fire. Sure enough the local fire department was there and had extinguished a fire in the engine compartment. The official report stated the fire originating in the cruise control/ brake fluid reservoir area. The Escape was a total write-off. All recalls pertaining to the ABS/cruise systems were serviced about 2 years previous to this event.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

My sister's Mazda tribute & my Ford Escape are the same vehicle and both have had the driver's side headlight plug melt.

- Mogadore, OH, USA

For the current Ford recall, the recall does not include Ford Escapes. I have had the same problems with my vehicle; malfunctioning cruise control (cruise will just disengage on the freeway or will all of a sudden start accelerating), brake light on dash, and difficultly with disengaging vehicle out of park. I contacted Ford and was told my vehicle is not on the recall and there was nothing they could do about it. They issued me a "case number".

- Johnson Creek, WI, USA

The contact owned a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact's neighbor informed him that his vehicle was on fire in his driveway. The contact used two full fire extinguishers and a water hose in an attempt to extinguish the fire. He was unsuccessful. The fire department arrived and successfully extinguished the flames. A fire report was filed and the fire department stated that an electrical fire started in the engine compartment. The fire marshall verified that numerous Ford vehicles had caught fire as well. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The grass outside of the contact's house, a large tree, and the driveway all sustained major damage. There were no injuries. The failure and current mileages were less than 89,000.

- Highland, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway. The driveway and surrounding trees were damaged. The fire department stated that it was an electrical fire. The vehicle was destroyed and a fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 06/24/09 updated 06/30/09.

- Brevard, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her vehicle caught fire while parked. She quickly extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic, but he could not determine the cause of the failure. She received two recall letters prior to the failure. The VIN, engine size, number of cylinders, powertrain, and NHTSA campaign id numbers were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 80,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

On March 13th 2007 my car was parked in the driveway and smoke was coming out of the bottom of the Escape and the hood. It smelled like an electrical fire- I investigated where the smell was and it all looked fine- I turned on the Escape and then the brake lights and ABS light came on along with the engine check light. I looked up on the internet and saw that several complaints on the brake system catching on fire.

- Columbus, OH, USA

At first start up of morning, while driving the idle kicks up to 2000 RPM's. when I stop the car and put it in neutral, that's where I notice the tach revving to 2000. After driving for 3 to 5 miles, it finally goes to normal. If I shut off car, and restart it, its fine. I had the car to the dealer several times to no avail, the put a recorder device in the car and when I noticed the problem, I was to push the button. They sent the box to Ford, who in turn said it was supposed to do that. I am at a standstill right now, with no fix in site. The vehicle is harder to stop in the mornings due to the increased idle. This started right before the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty expired. It is continuing to happen to date. Thank you.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

: the contact stated during the night, the vehicle alarm sounded. When the vehicle was approached, it was noticed that smoke was coming from under the hood. The police and fire department were alerted to the scene. A police report was filed. The fire department determined it occurred in the engine compartment and it was an electrical fire. The vehicle was operating normal prior to the fire. The vehicle is currently at a local dealership awaiting further inspection. The manufacturer has been alerted.

- Angola, NY, USA

Have 2002 Ford Escape and 3 years and 7 months later the odometer lcd lights goes out.

- Columbus, OH, USA

My 2002 Ford Escape has had too many problems since I have owned it. I purchased the vehcile used in March of 2005 with 23K miles. It now has 30K. Please note it is still under warranty, however I feel the vehcile is riddled with problems to date: The cd4E automatic transmission was replaced at 4500 miules by the previous owner(performed by Ford) along with the front wheel bearings and retainer rings. Since I have owned the vehicle: 1. the vehcile stalled while driving along. The PCM was re-flashed by Ford, however it still feels like it will stall at certain times. 2. the thermostat housing leaked antifreeze and took three trips to the dealer to fix it. 3. the accerlerator cable was replaced under recall. 4. the rear glass rattles as the latch looks worns out already. 5. the engine had valve train noise and the camshaft retainers were replaced 6. the engine leaked oil due to the dealers faulty repair 7. the fan assembly/blower motor bearings have failed and a new part is on order. I am very upset and disapointed in the quality of this vehicle and I question it as I have no confidence it it.

- Fall , MA, USA

On several occasions, my 2002 Ford Escape has stalled out in the middle of intersections, on the freeway, and at many inopportune times!!!!! I have been quite scared to drive my SUV any more. It starts to chug like it is not getting any fuel, the check engine light will come on, and the SUV will immediately die. I lose my power steering, my brakes, my everything! and almost get hit. I have taken my Escape in for service several times, but they claim that it is just a glitch in the computer, and reset it. Then they told me that they could never get it do what I was saying, so I had to come in right when it was doing it, or they wouldn't be able to help. In the mean time, I have stalled out several more times, gone in, and no one can figure out what is wrong. I have heard from several people that this is happening with many Ford Escapes, and I am scared that the situation will escalate to me being in an accident, or my SUV starting on fire when it gets so warm.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

After a short errand, vehicle was parked. Minutes later, fire erupted under the hood, apparently from a wiring harness. Motor area appears to be a complete loss. It was determined that he fire originated in the ABS control modulator. The insurance company determined that Ford was responsible for the incident and has been attempting to recoup their money.

- Doniphan, NE, USA