Ford recalling 10K Escapes for braking issue

Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 10,000 redesigned 2013 Escape SUVs because mispositioned carpet padding may lead to interference with braking.

The recall covers 8,266 Escapes in the U.S. and 2,193 in Canada. The Escapes being recalled were built at the Louisville Assembly Plant from March 8 through June 7.

The redesigned Escape went on sale in June and is a key vehicle for the Dearborn automaker. Ford plans to add a third shift in Kentucky by September to meet additional demand for the vehicle.

Ford said in early June, an employee noted the space between the brake pedal and the center console left-side trim panel "which may result in the driver contacting the edge of the brake pedeal while transferring the foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal.

Ford said the issue could increase braking distance but says it has no reports of the problem happening with customers.

Owners will be notified starting July 23. Ford dealers will remove the carpet padding and replace the left-side console trim panel with a new panel that has a new surface contour.

Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans Zweibel said Saturday the recall also covers "a few hundred" Escape vehicles in Mexico. No vehicles outside North America are affected.

She said no reports or complaints from customers have been received.

In June, Ford had its best ever month for Escape as it offered incentives to clear out 2012 Escape SUVs. Sales were up 28 percent to 28,500 in June.

"The new 2013 Escape is off to a very strong start, with vehicles selling on dealer lots in less than five days," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president for U.S. sales, service and marketing, in a statement earlier this month.

Ford sent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice on July 2 in a letter that it was recalling the vehicles. But the notice didn't show up on a government website for more than 10 days.

Separately, Ford said it is recalling 783 2012 F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks built at a Escobedo Assembly plant in Mexico.

The clear and black primer may be missing on windshields that may result in an insufficient bond between the glass and cab - and could result in the windshield separating from the vehicle. Ford dealers will inspect and replace or reinstall the windshields.

Ford said last year it is moving production of the Ford F-650 and F-750 from Mexico, to its Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake.

Ford has built the medium-duty trucks at its decade-old Blue Diamond Truck LLC joint venture between Ford and Navistar International, which builds the Ford F-650 and F-750 trucks in Mexico.

dshepardson@detnews.com

(202) 662-8735

Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120714/AUTO0102/207140363/1148/rss25

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