Ford Motor announces two separate recalls affecting 440,000 vehicles

Ford Motor Co, the second largest automaker in the US, yesterday announced two separate recalls affecting 440,000 vehicles in North America and Europe over issues such as faulty engines and faulty door latches.

Ford is recalling over 230,000 current-generation compact SUV Escape in North America and Europe for engine fires. This is the fifth such recall involving the Escape vehicles since its launch in 2013.

This recall includes the 2013-15 Ford Escape, Ford Fiesta ST, Ford Fusion and Ford Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6-liter GTDI engines in North America.

Ford said a lack of coolant circulation could cause an engine to overheat, resulting in a crack in the cylinder head, which could result in a pressurised oil leak and raise the risk of a fire.

The company said that it has 29 reports of fires in the US and Canada, but no injuries.

The carmaker is also recalling 211,000 of its 2014 model Ford Fiesta, 2013-14 Ford Fusion and 2013-14 Lincoln MKZ vehicles over door latch issues.

Ford said that a pawl in the door latch can break, either stopping the doors from closing or causing them to open while the cars are in motion. It added that it is unaware of any crashes or injuries.

This recall brings the total from the 2015 recall to nearly 757,000.

Ford has been trying to fix the door latch issues for the past three years, which has resulted in the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launching investigations.

The company has recalled more than 2.3 million vehicles last year over this problem and it does not seem to found a remedy.

Ford expects to spend about $295 million to fix the issues and said that the cost of the recalls were included in its updated earnings guidance issued last week.