A spokesperson for Ford Motor Company said on Monday that it is working on a fix for its 2013 Escape and Fusion models, which have been the subject of recalls following engine fires related to overheating and fuel leaks.
Although both vehicles compete in two of the highest volume segments in the market, Ken Czubay, Ford’s vice president of sales, service and parts in the U.S., says the automaker hasn’t seen “any derogatory showroom traffic,” as a result of the recall. Nevertheless, he does say Ford is placing a priority on solving the problem, “taking all measures” to ensure the recall progresses as smoothly as possible.
Although only nine separate incidents of engine fires have been reported, out of a total of 90,000 vehicles, dealing with the issue promptly should help ensure both models are still able to build Ford’s market share in the all important compact SUV and mid-size sedan segments. The recall effects models equipped with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, where fluid seepage as a result of overheating can cause it to come in contact with the vehicle’s exhaust system, increasing the risk of fire. This recall is also the fourth on the 2013 Escape since the vehicle’s launch at the Los Angeles auto show last November. The others centred around the 1.6 EcoBoost engine as well as issues with carpeting and the vehicle’s braking system.
However, even though a recall can impact sales, the way an automaker handles it is seen as the biggest factor in determining the long term effects, especially in view of Toyota’s widespread and highly publicized recalls in 2009-2011. “Ford has learned a lot of lessons [on the recall front],” said Jesse Toprak, an analyst with TrueCar.com. As a result, he says Ford, along with other automakers has become “extremely proactive on all [recall] issues.”
Ford has said that owners of the affected vehicles (which comprise of 73,320 Escapes assembled at the Louisville, Ky, plant between October 2011 and November this year, as well as 15,833 Fusion models assembled at the Hermosillo, Mexico facility between February and November 2012), will receive a complimentary courtesy vehicle while the automaker works at remedying the potential fire issue.
