Fourth recall: Ford seeking remedy for Escape, Fusion engine fire risk

Ford Motor Co is still working on a remedy for a defect that raises the risk of an engine fire in almost 90,000 just-launched Escape and Fusion models, an executive at the second-largest U.S. automaker said on Monday.

This is the fourth recall of the 2013 Escape crossover since July. The Escape and the 2013 Fusion sedan are considered Ford's two most critical launches this year.

The problem, which affects models equipped with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, has triggered nine fires in vehicles owned by customers, Ford said in a document filed with U.S. safety regulators on Friday.

"We are working on the fix for the vehicles," said Ken Czubay, vice president of Ford's U.S. sales, marketing and service, told reporters and analysts on Monday.

"It's because of an overheating situation, which can result in certain circumstances in an engine fire, but we have had very few of those," he said during a call about November auto sales.

The 1.6-liter engine can overheat, leading to a fluid leak.

If the fluid contacts the vehicle's hot exhaust system, this may cause a fire, Ford said in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Nov. 30.

The latest recall involves 73,320 Escapes and 15,833 Fusions.

The Escape has been recalled twice before for problems with its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Two other recalls, both issued in early July, involved potentially defective brakes and mispositioned carpeting.

The Escape and Fusion, both completely redesigned for model year 2013, compete in segments that account for one of three auto sales to U.S. consumers, Ford has said. It is relying on the new models to build its U.S. market share this year.

Ford has not yet seen any "derogatory showroom traffic" on the vehicles as a result of the recalls, Czubay said. He said Ford is taking "all measures" to handle the recalls smoothly.

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