TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 14V165000 (STRUCTURE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTAL PARKING SPACE, A SECURITY GUARD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER MAKING A SECOND ROUND, THE GUARD INFORMED THE VEHICLE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP IN WRITING, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.