Ford to recall over 10,000 Escape SUVs over braking issue
19 Jul 2012
Ford Motor Co said this week that it is recalling more than 10,000 redesigned 2013 Escape SUVs over carpet padding that could interfere in braking.
The recall affects 8,266 vehicles in the US, about 2,000 in Canada and a few hundred in Mexico.
The affected vehicles were built at the Louisville assembly plant from 8 March 2012 through 7 June 2012.
The Detroit, Michigan-based carmaker said that certain 2013 Escape vehicles may have the carpet padding mispositioned during installation, which may result in the carpet and centre console trim panel being pushed outboard of the intended design position, reducing space to the pedal.
In certain instances, the reduced space may result in the driver's foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, potentially increasing stopping distance and the risk of a crash.
Ford said that the accelerator pedal function is not affected by this condition and it has not received any reports of increased stopping distance for this issue.
Ford will notify owners and ask them to bring their vehicles to have the carpet padding removed and the left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel that has a revised surface contour free of cost.