I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER. MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS I WAS PREPARING TO STOP. ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY INTO THE PARKING SLOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, GOING OVER THE CURB, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND HIT A CONCRETE RAMP WITH A METAL RAILING ON TOP. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN GOING UPON IMPACT. I MANAGED TO TURN OFF THE IGINITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I WAS PANIC-STRICKEN AND CALLED 911. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SENT AN OFFICER OUT. SHE INQUIRED AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED AND ASKED THAT WE BACK THE CAR AWAY FROM THE RAILING AND CLEAR THE SIDEWALK. AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE OFFICER COMMENTED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS "STILL REVVING". FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED AND THANKFULLY NO PEDESTRIAN. I AM NOW AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SUBMITTED THIS REPORT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND, OF COURSE, MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WANT THE MANUFACTURER (FORD MOTOR COMPANY) TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND DETERMINE IF THE FORD ESCAPE IS A VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. IF THEY CANNOT GIVE THAT ASSURANCE THEN FORD MUST TAKE STEPS IMMEDIATELY TO REPLACE IT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. ANYTHING LESS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *AK