# 2001 FORD ESCAPE — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
> NHTSA complaint `520218` · 2005-02-05 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** ESCAPE
- **Year:** 2001
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- **Miles at failure:** 85,000
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
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
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*