Oh dear. As if the previous two recalls weren't bad enough, the brand new 2013 Ford Escape is under fire yet again for, well, fire. Or at least the potential for it.
According to The Detroit News, 7,600 Escape models – 6,150 of which are in the United States – equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine are being recalled due to a faulty cup plug in the engine cylinder head. In the event this cup dislodges, coolant could rapidly leak and create what The Detroit News calls a "combustible glycol concentration" that can catch fire near hot engine components. According to Ford, this recall only affects vehicles with manually installed cup plugs and that only approximately 0.4 percent of the recalled Escapes will have faulty parts. The vehicles in question were built between October 5, 2011 and August 31, 2012.
Ford has not received any reports of fires from customers, though one Escape reportedly caught fire at a dealership in Tennessee.
Back in July, Ford recalled the 2013 Escape due to faulty engine compartment fuel lines in vehicles fitted with the 1.6-liter engine, and asked owners to stop driving the vehicles immediately. The Detroit News reports that Ford will not be issuing a similar warning regarding this new recall because the threat of a fire is much smaller. Also in July, 10,000 Escapes were recalled over a brake pedal interference issue.
Neither Ford or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an official statement as of this writing.
UPDATE: NHTSA has released its official statement, which you can read below.
According to The Detroit News, 7,600 Escape models – 6,150 of which are in the United States – equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine are being recalled due to a faulty cup plug in the engine cylinder head. In the event this cup dislodges, coolant could rapidly leak and create what The Detroit News calls a "combustible glycol concentration" that can catch fire near hot engine components. According to Ford, this recall only affects vehicles with manually installed cup plugs and that only approximately 0.4 percent of the recalled Escapes will have faulty parts. The vehicles in question were built between October 5, 2011 and August 31, 2012.
Ford has not received any reports of fires from customers, though one Escape reportedly caught fire at a dealership in Tennessee.
Back in July, Ford recalled the 2013 Escape due to faulty engine compartment fuel lines in vehicles fitted with the 1.6-liter engine, and asked owners to stop driving the vehicles immediately. The Detroit News reports that Ford will not be issuing a similar warning regarding this new recall because the threat of a fire is much smaller. Also in July, 10,000 Escapes were recalled over a brake pedal interference issue.
Neither Ford or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an official statement as of this writing.
UPDATE: NHTSA has released its official statement, which you can read below.
Vehicle Make / Model: FORD / ESCAPE
Model Year(s): 2013
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: SEP 04, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V431000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,146
Summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Consequence
As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, September 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Notes
Ford's recall campaign number is 12S39. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Model Year(s): 2013
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: SEP 04, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V431000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,146
Summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Consequence
As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, September 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Notes
Ford's recall campaign number is 12S39. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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