TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (DON'S FORD, 5712 HORATIO ST, UTICA, NY 13502) AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT 1-800-392-3673 AND GOT THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM BEFORE THE CALL DISCONNECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.