ABS warning indicator illuminated, 25A fuse blown- upon replacement smoke and sparks from ABS module connector, inspection reveals melted connector cover and wiring harness, corroded wire terminals and also a wire arcing at a break inside the connector cover. The 60A fuse was removed to isolate the ABS system fault for a limp home. Ed mullinax Ford service department acknowledges ABS module recall; however, dealership denies applicable to this vehicle.

- Lorain, OH, USA

Ref.: 2002 Ford Escape on July 22 the car was in the driveway, not running, my son was washing it. It started billowing smoke from the engine compartment without cause. He lifted the hood, watered down the area that was burning. It started and we put it in the garage. The next morning my wife entered our garage, at about 7:00 am, the garage was engulfed in smoke with a smell of burnt rubber. I drove the Ford out on to the drive way. Now it malfunctioned, the ABS and engine check light were on. I searched the internet. When I typed in 'smoke coming for the engine compartment of a 2002 Ford Escape' it sent me to a NHTSA website where listed were many 2002 Ford Escapes that had for no reason caught fire. The problem stated was the ABS brake system with recalls on this year, make and model of Ford. I contacted the dealer and was informed that Ford Escapes had no problems and not on a recall list. I later called them back and gave them a recall number. I was advised that his was not one of the vehicles covered by that recall. I called my insurance company and they suggested a diagnosis by local Ford dealer to determine problem. I had it towed to the dealer and it was the ABS brake system. My wife is now afraid of it, because it is dangerous and afraid it will burst into flames. I received a letter from Ford Motor Company office of the general counsel claims department P.O box 70, dearborn, Michigan 48121-0070 where I an directed to perform a full complete investigation for them with pictures of the entire vehicle, damaged parts, copy of pink slip, registration, complete account of incident, repair receipts or estimates and letter of denial of the insurance company claim. If the insurance company settles the claim they will not cover the vehicle. I have 90 days to respond before they close the case. My insurance company states they will only repair what burnt and not get my vehicle to function as it did prior to it catching fire.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

May 9, 2010 my 2002 Ford Escape was parked in the parking lot where I work at 9 am. At 2 pm a co - worker came into my store and told me my car alarm was going off and there was smoke coming from underneath. I grabbed my keys and went outside. I tried to turn off the alarm and unlock the door with the remote but it would not work. A man took my keys and unlocked it manually and opened the hood. I got a fire extinguisher from the restaurant kitchen and took it out and they used it to put out the flames coming from the underside of the engine. We disconnected the battery cables and I called the dealership. They sent a truck to pick up my vehicle on May 10th. After inspection, they told me the ABS module malfunctioned and started the fire. I told them it was recalled in 07 and I had it repaired. They called Ford and filed a claim on my behalf but it was denied because I had it repaired on the recall.

- Davenport, FL, USA

I had previously brought my 2002 Ford Escape in for safety recall NHTSA action number PE06048, which was issued to address problems with electrical wiring connectors to the ABS electronic control module. They inspected the ABS module connection and applied dielectric grease. Approximately 7,000 miles and 15 months after bringing in my car for the safety recall, the electrical connectors of the ABS module were completely corroded, shorted out, and required immediate replacement. Ford was unwilling to address the problem because 12 months had passed since bringing my car in to them. I wanted to express my concern that the actions taken (dielectric grease application only) when I brought my car in for the safety recall were insufficient or at best a short-term solution to this electrical safety problem. I have the old parts and pictures to show the severity of the corroded and shorted connections in both the ABS brake module and the ABS module connector that were taken from my automobile.

- Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA