TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2001. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. HE LATER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM OUTSIDE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL AND EXTINGUISHING SOME OF THE FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND EXTINGUISHED THE REMAINDER OF THE FIRE. THE SHERIFF STATED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB