NHTSA complaint: 2001 FORD ESCAPE — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE MASTER BREAK CYLINDER LEAKED BREAK FLUID ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS FAILED AND THE WIRING SHORTED, CAUSING A FIRE. THE BREAK FLUID ACTED AS FUEL FOR THE FIRE. THE BREAKING SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP, WAS SERIOUSLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED. *JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation