Ford Engine Fire Recall Impacts Escape SUVs, Fiesta ST, Fusion and Transit Connect Vans

Ford Motor Company has initiated two separate major recalls, impacting nearly 600,000 vehicles that may pose a risk of engine fires, as well as some with a risk that faulty door latches may allow the doors to unexpectedly swing open while the vehicle is in motion. 

The two unrelated Ford recalls were announced in a press release on March 29.

The largest was an engine fire recall recall issued following reports of problems caused by insufficient coolant circulation, which allowed oil to leak through a cracked cylinder head. The second is an expansion of a door latch recall first announced in late 2015.

The Ford coolant circulation recall includes an estimated 360,000 vehicles with 1.6-Liter engines. The vehicles are being recalled due to a lack of coolant circulation throughout the engine that may cause the cylinder head to crack, allowing pressurized oil to seep through the crack. If oils leaks from a crack and falls onto the hot engine surface, it could combust and cause a car fire.

To date, Ford is aware of at least 29 reported vehicle fires linked to the problem. No injuries have been reported in relation to the defect.

The recall includes model year 2014 Escape SUVs; model year 2014 through 2015 compact Fiesta ST models; model year 2013 through 2014 Fusion midsize cars; and model year 2013 through 2015 Transit Connect small vans sold throughout North America. Vehicles included in the recall that were sold throughout Europe include 2010 through 2015 C-Max hybrid and Focus cars, and 2013 through 2015 Transit Connect vans. All impacted vehicles are equipped with 1.6-Liter four cylinder turbocharged engines.

Ford indicates that owners may continue to drive their vehicles safely and park them in garages or other structures while waiting to be serviced at a dealer. According to Ford, owners will be mailed a written notice on how to check the coolant levels of their vehicles, and if the vehicles leak coolant they can be serviced at a local dealer free of charge. Dealers will be instructed to install a coolant level sensor and a warning light on the dashboard to notify owners if the coolant level is low.

The second recall is an expansion of a door latch recall that includes more than 200,000 vehicles that may have faulty door latches. The vehicles being recalled have door latches that may not fully close, although they appear to be shut, which could lead to the door unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion, endangering vehicle occupants.

The recall includes 2014 Fiesta and 2013 through 2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The recall expansion includes 211,000 vehicles, bringing the total of the recall upward of 757,000.

The recall notice indicates that dealers will replace all four side door latches in affected vehicles at no cost to the owners.

A third, minor recall affecting windshield wipers on 111 2017 Ford Edge vehicles was also included in the announcement.