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Fire warning!
Our '02 had been leaking brake fluid onto the anti-lock, 4x4 traction-control module and caused it to short out. It had been parked for 45 minutes when the fire luckily burned through a wiring harness first to cause the alarm to activate, getting our attention. Three fire extinguishers later the fire was out and the damage was less than $2,000.00 (USD). Found out there was a recall for just such a problem, but Ford said it didn't apply to my leak. Said I didn't have the right brake master cylinder for the recall. A lawyer friend said he would charge more than what I was out and couldn't guarantee a win. If it had been totaled and someone had been hurt, now that would be a different case.
The fluid loss had been small enough to not notice it as a leak. Just one low fluid light warning with a top-off that I had associated with brake pad wear. Very glad it wasn't in the garage attached to the house at night without the luck of the alarm wiring shorting. If you search the internet you will see where this has happened. I am very disappointed in Ford and their response.
When it happened I was looking to buy a new Ford for my daily commute and another new Escape next year. Went with a VW and will replace the Escape with a Honda Ridgeline.
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12-29-2008, 08:30 PM
