This is already the fourth recall on the newly redesigned 2013 Escape. Earlier safety problems were for fires, overheating and unintended acceleration.
Ford Motor Company is recalling 2013 Ford Escape SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Ford Fusion SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine because of engine fires. Almost 90,000 of Ford’s latest models – both redesigned for 2013 – are affected. At least 13 fires have been reported. The new models are based on Ford of Europe designs but it’s not clear whether this is an engineering, manufacturing or material problem.
The ongoing quality problems raise doubts about Ford’s ability to introduce new models, reinforcing widely held caveats about buying any new model during its first year of production.
Since Ford does not have a repair procedure or parts, Escape and Fusion owners will be given a loaner car because of the latest quality gaff. The Dearborn automaker appears to be scrambling without citing the root cause of the problem, which will eventually be detailed in a legally required filing with NHTSA. At the moment Ford is only saying that engine overheating is causing fluid leaks, which can result in under hood fires.
This is the fourth major recall on its all-new Escape SUV. The previous ones occurred because a manufacturing defect at its engine plant in Bridgend, United Kingdom can cause a coolant leak and overheating from the 1.6-liter engine; defective fuel injection lines can cause fires; and a final assembly problem in the U.S. potentially caused unintended acceleration.
This time Ford publicized the recall. Previous recalls became public because of required legal filings with the Department of Transportation as Ford’s normal practice is to not list recalls on its media site. Both Fusion and Escape were in the past developed in collaboration with Mazda. Ford has now divested itself of all but 2% of Mazda stock after holding controlling interest for decades. The new models are based on Ford of Europe designs.
