Ford recalls Escapes, Fusions for engine fire risk

(AP) Ford recalls Escapes, Fusions for engine fire risk
By TOM KRISHER
AP Auto Writer
DETROIT
Ford Motor Co. said Friday that it is recalling more than 89,000 new Escape SUVs and Fusion sedans because the engines can overheat and cause fires.

The recall affects vehicles from the 2013 model year with 1.6-liter engines that were sold in the U.S. and Canada, the company said in a statement.

Ford says it’s working on a fix and is asking owners to contact dealers, who will arrange for loaner cars at no charge until the repairs are made. The company says the engines can catch fire when they overheat and fluids leak onto hot parts. It was unclear exactly what caused the engines to overheat.

It’s the fourth recall in four months for the all-new Escape, a top seller for Ford in the important compact SUV segment of the market. The new 2013 version went on sale in the spring. Safety advocates say that more than three recalls in a car’s first year are a sign of quality problems, although Ford has said previously that the recalls show it’s moving quickly to address safety problems.

Ford spokesman Said Deep said the recall comes after the company received reports of 12 fires in Escapes and one in a Fusion. No injuries have been reported.

The recall affects Fusions and Escapes with “SE” and “SEL” packages. Models with different engines don’t have the problem and are not involved in the recall. About 73,000 Escapes and 16,000 Fusions are affected.