The Ford Escape is currently the best-selling small SUV worldwide. Despite its popularity, Ford is having multiple problems with its 2013 Escape SUV and has issued two recalls of that vehicle in just one week.
On July 16, 2012, Ford recalled 10,000 of its new 2013 Escape over braking-interference issues involving driver’s side carpet padding. The padding can shift and impede the driver’s ability to move his or her foot between the accelerator and the brake thereby increasing braking time and possibly causing a crash.
Ford began replacing part of the padding on July 23rd. Dealers will replace carpet padding with a newly contoured trim piece allowing easy transition of the driver’s foot between the brake and accelerator.
No injuries have been reported because of the carpeting problem.
Just three days later on July 19, Ford issued a second recall involving 11,500 of its 2013 Escape with 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engines due to a potential fuel line leak. Splits in the fuel line can cause gas to leak and possibly cause an engine fire.
Ford has warned Escape owners to stop driving their new Escape immediately and to contact their local dealership. Ford dealers will pick up the affected vehicle and provide a loaner car free of charge while the defective fuel line is replaced. Ford Safety Officer Ray Nevi stressed, “It is extremely important that affected customers not ignore this recall and immediately contact their dealer.”
No other Ford vehicles with 1.6-liter engines are affected by the recall and Escape SUVs with different engines also are not included in the recall. Most importantly, no injuries have been reported.
Ford recommends affected Escape owners contact their Ford dealer for recall and repair information or contact Ford directly at 866-436-7332 or www.fordowner.com to learn more.