Ford’s Escape Problems
Tim Esterdahl | Jul 25, 2012 | Comments 5
Ford is currently dealing with several problems related to its new Escape as well as past versions. This is not good news for the automaker and its trademark SUV that it needs to compete with other automakers.
The 2013 Ford Escape has been on the market for a month and already has been recalled twice.
A recent story in the Detroit News says that Ford Motor Co. is urging “owners of 4,800 2013 Ford Escape SUVs to stop driving immediately because of fire dangers, will spend hundreds of dollars per vehicle to cover the costs of repairs and provide alternative transportation.” Worldwide Ford is recalling 11,500 brand new Escapes and 9,300 in the U.S. to fix this problem.
The fire danger seems to have come from a possibly damaged fuel line which could in turn cause a significant fuel leak. Having a fuel leak while the engine is running doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is a possible fire danger. The good news, if there is good news with regards to fire danger, is that the fix is reported to only cost $300 per vehicle. However, that is just the fix and there is no estimate to how much the Dearborn, MI automaker will have to spend to reimburse owners for alternative transportation. Ford officially is blaming a supplier for the problem.
Normally recalls are simply a letter in the mail or an email. Telling owners to stop driving immediately is really a rare step for any automaker to do and speaks to the severity of the problem.
Interestingly, this is the second recall for the new Ford Escape since it’s launch last month. The other recall, according to USA Today, was for a “carpet glitch that could cause owners to miss the brake pedal.” Yep, you read that right.
In other Ford Escape news, TruckTrend.com is reporting that “Following the death of an Arizona teenager, 99 consumer complaints, and 13 crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating approximately 730,000 2002-2004 Ford Escape and platform-mate Mazda Tribute models for unintended acceleration, according to a report from Bloomberg.”
The problem with these Ford Escapes? A faulty cruise control cable. The 2002 Ford Escape has been the target of several recalls and “eight other NHTSA investigations, including engine stalling, electrical issues with the antilock braking system, and brake fluid leaks, among others.” There are suggestions that this problem was actually caused by a botched fix of another problem.
After so many recalls and lots of bad publicity, maybe Ford should “escape” from this nameplate and launch a new vehicle.
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Filed Under: Auto News
Don’t Ford have a QA system to check these vehicles before they hit the lots? Blaming the supplier is half of the problem here. Ford’s Q/A needs investigating in why this got by them. To give people the notice “Quit Driving Your Ford” to me doesn’t sit well. We will see how much Ray will call Ford out like he did Toyota. I know we can’t/won’t do anything to the Big 3.
Mickey,
I think you’re right, Ray won’t be publicly commenting on this issue.
-Tim
Regarding the faulty fuel line…is there any info about it being a problem on the 2011 escape? My wife drives one and awhile back we smelt fuel from inside the car while on a road trip to Houston. Any info would be greatly appreciated ” I knew I should’ve drove my Tundra instead…”
Bobby,
We haven’t heard anything related to the 2011 Escape. If we hear anything, we’ll pass it along.
-Tim
Bobby you can contact the Ford dealership or Ford customer care to find out that info.