Ford’s redesigned for 2013 Escape [Kuga elsewhere] has now had seven recalls since launch.
The recalls affected 161,334 vehicles globally, mostly in the United States, and addressed potential leaks that could cause a fire, Reuters noted.
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US sales of the popular small SUV were up 14% to 250,543 units this year to the end of October making it the second-best selling Ford behind the F-Series trucks and second to Honda’s CR-V in its segment.
The latest recall is for 2013 Escapes with 1.6 litre petrol engines because the cylinder head may overheat and cause cracks that could allow oil to leak, Reuters said, citing documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A Ford spokeswoman said there were 13 fires reported related to this issue but no injuries.
Of the affected vehicles built in Louisville, Kentucky, 139,228 are in the US, 18,917 in Canada and the rest elsewhere, Ford said.
Included in the overall count are 11,821 vehicles worldwide recalled because the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly under a prior recall and that also could lead to a leak. There are 9,469 in the US, according to the NHTSA which also noted that Ford had received warranty reports of fuel odour or leaks in Escape SUVs repaired in a previous recall.
No fires or injuries related to this issue have been reported, the Ford spokeswoman added.
For the larger recall, dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, according to NHTSA documents. In the smaller one, they will inspect the engine compartment fuel line and replace if necessary.
Separately, Ford is also recalling 7,329 Lincoln MKZ hybrid vehicles globally from model years 2013 and 2014 to reprogramme the power train control module. They may not conform to US requirements that the brake be depressed before the car can be shifted out of park. No accidents or injuries were reported relating to this issue, Reuters said.
Early last decade, Ford’s then-new Focus became, at one point, the most-recalled car ever in the US.
