Ford Escape SUV Recall Issued Due To Risk of Engine Fires

Ford is recalling 11,500 Escape sport-utility vehicles in North America, due to a potential risk of engine fires.

The Ford Escape recall impacts 2013 model year vehicles with 1.6-liter engines.

According to the auto maker, the engine compartment fuel lines in the vehicles may split and leak fuel, posing a risk of fires under the hood. So far, no one has been hurt, but there have been at least three reports of engine fires; two of which occurred before the vehicles were shipped from the factory, according to reports.  There was no information provided on the third fire.

Ford is advising affected owners not to drive their vehicles and to contact their dealers immediately for the needed repair. Customers will be provided with a loaner vehicle by dealers while their cars are repaired.

The repairs are straightforward and should take dealers less than an hour to complete, pending parts availability, according to Ford. If affected customers quickly take action and contact their dealers as advised, all vehicles can be remedied in less than two weeks.

Last week, Ford said it would recall about 10,000 Escapes because of mispositioned carpet padding in the center console trim panel. The padding can cause the driver to hit the side of the brake pedal when moving his or her foot from the accelerator, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Meanwhile the NHTSA on July 17 announced that it is opening an investigation of about 730,000 older Ford Escapes, after receiving 99 complaints about unintended acceleration. However, the investigation involves 2001 through 2004 Escapes and Tributes with 3-liter, V6 engines.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, sold 28,500 Escapes in June, making it the automaker’s second-best seller, after the F-series pickup truck. Overall, it was the sixth-bestselling vehicle in America last month and the bestselling crossover, beating out Honda’s newly redesigned 2013 CR-V.

Photo Courtesy of noelweathers via Flickr CC by 2.0