Ford, Mazda SUVs probed after 8 fires

Ford Motor Co.’s Escape and Mazda Motor Corp.’s Tribute sport utility vehicles are being studied by U.S. regulators over complaints of fires in the engine area after they are turned off.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration probe covers 618,703 Escapes and Tributes in the 2001 to 2003 model years, the agency said.

Fires were reported in eight Escapes “at or near” the control module for the anti-lock braking system. There have been no fires reported in the Mazda vehicles, even though they are “substantially similar,” the agency said.