DEARBORN, Mich. (July 19, 2012) — Ford Motor Co. has issued a second safety recall on the 2013 Ford Escape in a week’s time, this time recalling vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine built through July 11.
The company is asking owners of the vehicles to not drive them until dealers can fix fuel lines that can crack and spill gasoline, causing engine fires.
Ford estimates that there have been approximately 11,500 of these vehicles produced and distributed for sale in North America, with most in the U.S. market. No injuries have been reported.
Dealers will deliver a loaner vehicle to affected customers and will transport their 2013 Escape to the dealership for the necessary repairs to the engine compartment fuel line. The company is working to make parts available as quickly as possible and customers will keep the loaner vehicle at no charge until the repairs on their vehicle are completed, Ford said in a press release.
The company’s dealers will stop delivering or conducting demonstration drives of these vehicles so that proper steps can be taken to remedy the issue at the dealership first.
“We have identified an issue and are taking quick actions in the best interest of our customers,” said Ray Nevi, assistant director, Ford Automotive Safety Office. “Our intensive investigation and testing has identified the area of concern and we are moving as quickly as possible to repair vehicles for our customers. In the meantime, it is extremely important that affected customers not ignore this recall and immediately contact their dealer.”
[pullquote_left]It is extremely important that affected customers not ignore this recall and immediately contact their dealer. — Ray Nevi, assistant director, Ford Automotive Safety Office[/pullquote_left]
The repairs are straightforward and should take dealers less than an hour to complete, pending parts availability. If affected customers quickly take action and contact their dealers as advised, all vehicles can be remedied in less than two weeks, Ford said.
The issue does not affect other 2013 Escape models, and the condition does not present itself in vehicles when the engine is not running.
On Saturday, Ford recalled more than 10,000 Escapes to fix carpet padding that could interfere with braking. The vehicles were manufactured at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant.
Customers may get further information about these and other recalls at www.fordowner.com or by calling Ford’s Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
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