FORD RECALLS HALF A MILLION ESCAPES DUE TO ENGINE FIRE

Ford is recalling more than 500,000 Escapes after receiving reports from 50 owners of engine fires from 50 owners. Ford says the fires were caused by improperly installed ABS units on 2001-2004 models, and did not result in any accidents or injuries. Missing or improperly installed seals could allow water or other liquids could get into the units' wiring harnesses, causing a short, and possibly, underhood fires.

Here's what the official press release had to say:

Make: FORD Model: ESCAPE
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Year : 2002
Component :
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Date Investigation Opened : October 30, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED EIGHT COMPLAINTS ON FORD ESCAPE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT ALLEGE A NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. IN ADDITION, ODI HAS RECEIVED TWO REPORTS ON FORD ESCAPE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT ALLEGE THERMAL EVENTS OR OTHER FIRE-RELATED PHENOMENA ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, AS EVIDENCED BY SMOKE, ARCING AND/OR MELTED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.

Source: Yahoo