NHTSA investigating Ford Escape fires
The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the cause of eight reported engine fires in the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute.
The model years being investigate are from 2001 to 2003, however, the Mercury Mariner platform-sharer is not part of the investigation, as it began its run in 2005.
There are two other cases that are under the microscope, that involve "fire-related phenomena," from sparks and melted electrical components. The suspected culprit, at this time, is the ABS module, which underwent a recall in the past.
More information to follow when we get it.
[Source: CNN]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jaimie B 3:14PM (11/03/2006)
Nail them.
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Shawn 4:20PM (11/03/2006)
"The suspected culprit, at this time, is the ABS module, which underwent a recall in the past."
I thought the past fire problem was caused by the cruise control & not the ABS?
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Mal Fuller 5:03PM (11/03/2006)
Just think of this gem as a fire Escape!
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Gardiner Westbound 5:38PM (11/03/2006)
A worthy successor to Ford's four passenger furnace, the Pinto.
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Ken 5:39PM (11/03/2006)
#3 .... Fire escape .... Good one !!!
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Bob 8:31PM (11/03/2006)
No surprises here.
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Buzzsaw 9:08PM (11/03/2006)
Well, Autoblog, thanks for posting a pic of the 05-07 Escape to go along with this article about 01-03 Escapes.... huh?
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RZ 9:19PM (11/03/2006)
Typical FORD. People say that Mazda is partialy owened by Ford so the cars have nothing in common, and yet both are being recalled. Ford destroyed Lincoln brant, Volvo brant, Jaguar brand and as we all know the worst quality vehicle in USA is Land Rover...ALSO controlled by Ford.......see a patern here?
What's funny is that there are only six comments in here, has this been a Toyota thing there would have been 66 commenets trashing Toyota and 66 more claiming that their Dodge Rams get same MPG as Prius.
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Jackson 10:37PM (11/03/2006)
You guys need to do some research next time before you start bashing Ford. Toyota is under investigation by the NHTSA for far worse things than 10 fires in 10 cars. Ford has sold over one million Escapes to date, so 10 out of over one million is nothing to go crazy over. Every car, regardless of the company, is going to have some problems; even your divine Toyotas.
"Oh, but everytime Toyota has a problem you meanies all come out and say evil stuff about them to cover up for Ford." Yeah? So? You do the samething. Just like you hate domestics, we hate imports. Atleast we admit our companies have problems, unlike you guys...woRd...
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That One Person 10:40PM (11/03/2006)
RZ...Yes, Ford ruined the Lincoln brand. But if Ford had not bought Jaguar, Jaguar would not be around. Land Rover does pretty much of their own development but also works with Jaguar (engines). And any problems LR has been having has been pointed out to be LR's mistakes...not Ford's. And whats wrong with Volvo? Nothing. Volvo is probably one of the best companies out there. They produce some of the safest cars on this planet and some of the best looking cars, too. And if Ford had not bought its share of Mazda, Mazda probably would not be in the position they are now...which is better then they were ten years ago. Maybe even five years ago.
You have no clue what you are talking about...except about the Toyota comments. But the domestics have gotten their fair share of bashing on this site (like your comment).
I will admit this sucks. But I hope this problem is taken care of soon.
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Borat 11:28PM (11/03/2006)
That one person.....
Well here's the issue, ...I am not sure if LR is responsible for its own quality issues or not. However I see that over last few years Volvo added a lot more HP and V8 and lost that boxy design, which tells me that Ford is heavily involved in Volvo from design to engines. Also Jaguar became a lot sportier of late...it all tells me that Ford is heavily involved in these companies. If that is the case I assume that Ford is also heavily involved with LR, also Ford has so much big SUV experience it had to be somehow involved with LR.
One has to ask what is the common denominator in this Mazda problem, 5.8 million recalls by Ford, super poor LR quality and poor Jag quality. They have nothing in common but being mostly large SUVs and being owned by Ford.
It's clear that Ford has quality problems. This is not a domestic vs. import issue, GM's quality is pretty good, so is DC's. It's clear that Ford once again dropped the ball.
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That One Person 12:02AM (11/04/2006)
Borat...
I will agree Ford does have some involvement. But RZ is making it sound like Ford is dragging all those companies down. The only company in the PAG group thats not making money is Jaguar. But their new and future products look really promising. The LR issue I was stating was the whole engine/engine software issue. But LR is still making money. I do know a couple people who own LRs and are beyond happy with them. But yea, I do think Ford's knowledge of SUVs has trickled over to LR and vice versa. I think LR SUVs are WAY better than Ford's...despite the quality issues. And when it does come to designing, it has been said that Jaguar and Ford (and even Volvo and Aston) share designers. I believe the 96 Taurus was penned by a Jag designer. But I think a lot of the interaction between the companies is just through financial transactions.
PAG is in good shape. Jaguar needs new products. I love the S-Type. But it needs a redesigning. And like people have mentioned, the X-Type aint foolin no one...its a Mondeo. Jaguar needs its OWN entry level car.
Also, I wouldnt say Ford dropped the ball. Ok, maybe they did a little. The whole issue with the F-150 fires was dropping the ball. This at least was investigated before hundreds of cars burst into flames. And I just hope Ford fixes the problem...
The only problem with Ford is it's North American operations. If Mullaly gets his act together and convinces the rest of management to adopt their Euro ways, things will look better.
And I agree with #9...
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Frank 12:03AM (11/04/2006)
Well I have an Escape. Drive it like I stole it every day. It's an 03 v6 that's just about to turn 100K. Problems to date? Only one.
1. About a week into ownership, the waterpump leaked a little out the bearing hole. Had it replace and not a damn thing has been needed since. Sans Oil changes/ Tires.
Really my only issue is the breaks seem a little on the light side.
Other than that, it's been a solid car. And I don't see why it won't go 150K maybe 200K.
Personally, anything over 150K is gravy. I know it should be able to go longer most car can now a days. But for me, 150K is all I ask. By that time, I'm board, and I'm ready to buy again.
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foxrun 11:12AM (11/04/2006)
Well its not like Ford executives are under a criminal investigation for hiding safety issues. Does that ring a bell TOYOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Cyprien 9:25AM (11/04/2006)
Borat, your black helicopter must be in the shop, with that huge Blue Oval Conspiracy Theory you just posted. Volvo started killing off the "boxy" look in the mid '90's with the S40 & C70. That was a few years before Ford. Land Rover just might have gotten a little of that "sportiness" from their previous owner, BMW. Ford purchased Land Rover in 2001 - the current Range Rover is a BMW-designed product. The Discovery was a piece of junk long before Ford or BMW came along. As for Ford ruining Jaguar's quality - what world do you live in where Jaguars run trouble-free forever? That probably doesn't even happen in the Amazon jungle, where the real ones live.
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Hamud 10:59AM (11/04/2006)
#8 Ahhhh, STFU. Sorry if I were too rough but I'm sick of it...
Good thing is that they are already investingating it, cars, as any other high technology machines are very likely to have problems.
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RZ 11:44AM (11/04/2006)
#15 Listen Maoud, or Habib or whatever you like,you are sick of what? People attacking Ford? Ok then why does Ford give everyone ammo to attack it. I mean cars just burst into flames for no reason. I heard GM has poor quality....but that recall even makes Wagoner look smart.
#16 Ok good point, but why did Toyota recently yet again was rated on top as far as quality goes? Why was Lexus #1 again, what was Honda on top?
Dude stop this game, you KNOW GM and FORD build junk, people know it...THAT IS WHY NO ONE BUYS GM's and FORDs without insentives, DC also builds junk, i believe they have the highest number of recalls in 2006, but at least when their Chargers and Calibers and 300c's stop working on the right lane on the highway they look good, unlike Ford drivers.
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Hamud 4:15PM (11/04/2006)
#17 Show some respect, that's my second name and you know exactly how to pronounce it, unless you can't read...
And yes, I'm sick of people like you, saying s..t all the time. Ford has 103 years making cars, GM has 98, it doesn't come for free. If you don't like their cars, ok, you don't need try to make people think like you.
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Jeff R. 1:37AM (11/07/2006)
A couple of things:
Ford equals fire. Their vehicles always catch on fire! Ford can't be counted on for anything, except for vehicles that go up in flames. Fords SUCK A**, in the fact the whole company should go up in flames because they are wholly incapable of providing good products.
Ken- hey man, don't kill yourself defending Ford, it's not worth it! Your Expedition will go ka-boom anyway.
Hamud- interesting of you to note the 103 yrs. of experience Ford has. How come they haven't been able to produce anything good since the Model T?
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