SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A Ford Escape burst into flames while the owner was waiting on replacements for recalled parts.
The recall warned Escape owners an electrical short could cause the SUV to overheat and catch fire. The recall affects 400,000 2001 and 2002 Ford Escapes.
Metro Atlanta driver Scott Green said he saw the smoke and flames coming from the brake system after the car had been parked and turned off for 30 minutes Aug. 14.
"I've never heard of a car going up in flames after sitting there for 30 minutes," Green told Channel 2's Craig Lucie.
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Green showed Lucie pictures he took as he watched firefighters try to put out flames coming from the hood of his 2002 Ford Escape.
"It melted the hood to the body," Green said.
Firefighters had to use tools to peel back the smoldering metal and extinguish the engine fire.
Just days before the fire, Green called his Ford Dealership in Sandersville after receiving a safety recall notice stating an electrical short could occur in the anti-lock brake system and cause smoke or fire.
"Because of the recall, there's not enough parts out there for them. He said, 'We have to order them,'" Green said.
He said the service department downplayed the recall and told him he'd receive a call when the parts arrived.
"If someone said there's a chance of a fire, you keep it," Green said.
After the fire, another dealership, Sandy Springs Ford, got involved and picked the car up to inspect it.
"They said the fire was undeterminable, so they feel like they were not at fault," Green said.
When Green contacted Ford's corporate headquarters, officials told him it would be more than two weeks before they know what happened. Green said by looking at the fire damage, he has no doubt it is related to the recall.
"If you take a look at the schematics for that, the ABS and break line up in a clear shot and that whole area is gone," Green said.
Sandy Springs Ford said the investigation is being handled by Ford's corporate headquarters. Lucie is contacted headquarters officials and is waiting for a reply.
WSBTV
