1. The heat shielding around the exhaust system failed to protect the fuel tank from exhaust heat. Heat from the exhaust system melted holes in the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from the tank. The parts are at the Ford dealer with the vehicle. 2. The fuel tank developed leaks when it melted, causing a risk of fire or explosion. 3. The dealer confirmed that the fuel tank melted and leaked due to heat from the exhaust system. In diagnosing the issue, they refilled the fuel tank and it continued to leak. 4. To my knowledge, the vehicle or components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. My insurance chose not to be involved since it does not fall under "comprehensive" coverage, as there was no theft, vandalism, storm, or animal damage. 5. The vehicle waring lamps did not indicate the melting of the fuel tank or the leak. I was not aware that there was damage to the fuel tank or a fuel leak at the time. The vehicle simply ceased to run and would not start. I was towed to a Ford dealership. A week later the dealership called to inform me that they had added fuel to the tank to diagnose the starting issue, but were still unable to start, and wanted to replace the fuel pump. I explained that the tank had been filled only about 80 miles before, so there was some issue. Another week later, the dealer informed me that when replacing the fuel pump they had found that the tank had been melted. This was when I was first aware of the issue with the fuel tank.

- Gloucester, NC, USA

2012 Ford Transit connect. Consumer writes in regards to misleading gas mileage, radio problems, vehicle locking itself with key in the ignition while engine running and several other issues. The consumer also stated the wipers were not clearly the snow and rain from the windshield. The wipers were coming off the windshields surface. The windshield wiper fluid was freezing and the amount of heat coming from the defroster wasn't enough to handle the freezing windshield, which caused the obstruction and loss of vision.

- Columbus, OH, USA

As I'm driving home, I start to smell an unusual odor. I get home, pull in drive, turn off transit and start unloading groceries. This is when I notice smoke coming from the dashboard. I continue to unload while I keep an eye on the smoke. It worsens and I realize it was on fire and by now there were orange drops of fire falling to the floor. I yell for my neighbor who uses our fire extinguishers on site to try and put out the fire. We had to unhook the battery cables to finally get the fire out completely. It seemed centralized around the glove box on the passenger side. The dashboard on that side was completely burned. My first call was to apple Ford in red lion, the dealership it was purchased at less than a year prior. My second call was to my insurance company. Apple dismissed the insurance adjuster saying it was a warranty issue on day 2. the transit has been sitting at apple Ford untouched ever since (2 months!!) as we looked for answers we only got bounced between apple and corporate Ford with no resolution and no answers. Our insurance company has now gotten involved and their expert originator found it was the blower motor resister part that failed causing the fire. Ford is still uncooperative, and changing their story constantly.

- Windsor, PA, USA

On start up after it has been warm and then gotten cold vehicle check engine light comes on and ECU stores codes P2101, P2111 and P2135. Throttle body becomes disabled and vehicle will run poorly and not accelerate. Replaced with new Ford throttle body assembly part# 8S4Z9E926B @ this time in December. Fixed problem and vehicle was running fine. Fix lasted until 2/17/14 and about 6000 miles and now have the same exact problem again with same codes. I see several complaints about escapes having this same problem. Is the throttle body a shared part? this problem could be very dangerous if it was to happen while out driving. Fortunately for us it happened both times on cold start up.

- Oneonta, NY, USA