Ford’s new Escape model SUV has been hit with a second recall since its release last month, this time amid concerns that weak fuel lines can crack and spill gasoline, creating potentially deadly engine fires and spiking car accident risks. The recall only applies to Escapes with 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engines.
A total of 11,000 Escapes have been manufactured and outfitted with that engine type, and only 4,800 have been sold to consumers. A spokesperson for Ford said the company is hoping to complete all the necessary repairs to the vehicles within two weeks. All unsold Escapes will have the repairs made before they are sold to the public.
Meanwhile, individuals who have already purchased an Escape will have representatives from local Ford dealerships come to their home and pick up the Escape to drive back for the repairs. While the SUVs are being repaired, Escape owners will be given a loaner car as a replacement. The recall will affect Escape owners in Ohio and across the country.
So far, three fires have been reported: two at a factory and one by an Escape owner who was driving the vehicle when the engine caught fire. No injuries or deaths have been reported, and no car crashes have occurred as a result of the malfunction.
New vehicle models typically have more problems and a higher risk of recalls in the first year of their production. The first recall concerning Ford’s Escape concerned vehicle padding that had the risk of interfering with the brake pedal.
Source: Boston Globe, “Ford recalls 2012 Escapes; engines can catch fire,” Tom Krisher, July 19, 2012