Investigation DP09003: 2001–2004 Ford Escape

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Apr 14, 2009

Closed

Apr 15, 2009

Model years

2001–2004

Subject

Engine compartment fire

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

Summary

The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 ford escape caught fire at the abs control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07v156 - a fact later corroborated by the petitioner.circumstances of the fire experienced in the petitioner's remedied vehicle indicate that the remedy was ineffective.additional review by odi identified an additional 6 similar (alleged to have originated in the engine compartment at or near the abs control module ) non-crash fire incidents in subject vehicles known to have received the recall remedy.accordingly, a recall query (rq09-002) has been opened to assess the effectiveness of the recall remedy.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 2004 Ford Escape499 complaints
• 2003 Ford Escape558 complaints
• 2002 Ford Escape1,027 complaints
• 2001 Ford Escape996 complaints