WASHINGTON — Ford is recalling 6,146 2013 Ford Escape SUVs equipped with 1.6-liter engines in
the U.S. because of the risk of an engine compartment fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
It is the second time since July that the redesigned Escape has been recalled for a fire risk.
"The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged, resulting in significant loss of engine coolant," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite, causing an engine compartment fire."
Ford told federal safety regulators it is not aware of any field reports of fires in the U.S. on vehicles in customer service in this latest recall.
"Ford is aware of one field report of a pre-delivery vehicle fire in Tennessee believed to be the result of the head cup plug becoming dislodged," according to documentation Ford filed with NHTSA. "A vehicle in the custody of the assembly plant also experienced a fire that may relate to a dislodged cup plug."
The affected vehicles were built at Ford's Louisville, Kentucky assembly plant from October 5, 2011 through August 31, 2012.
Ford told Escape owners not to drive the vehicle because of the fire risk in the previous recall.
"There are a few factors that make this recall different from the prior recall," wrote Marcey Zwiebel, a Ford spokeswoman in response to an e-mailed query from Edmunds. "First, Ford dealers are prepared to schedule service appointments for this recall right now, and customers should contact their dealers to schedule their recall repair. Parts are available today.
"The first recall involved a condition that could result in immediate fuel leak. This recall concerns a loss of coolant that could lead to a potential fire risk. Also, our investigation into this engine coolant condition indicates a very low likelihood of a plug dislocating, and even lower for a fire to occur. Given these facts, we believe the extraordinary actions required by the previous instance are not required in this one."
Ford dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover. Owners can contact Ford at (866) 436-7332.
Edmunds says: Ford says it is prepared to fix this latest problem with the 2013 Ford Escape immediately.
Source :http://www.insideline.com/ford/escape/2013/2013-ford-escape-recalled-for-fire-risk-a-second-time.html
