Ford Issues Another Vehicle Recall for Escapes, This Time for Oil and Fuel Leaks
Ford has issued a vehicle recall for its Escape, a small SUV, for the second time. The latest vehicle recall is to fix reported fuel and oil leaks.
The Escape, which is one of Ford’s best-selling SUVs since it hit the market in 2012, has been recalled seven times total.
This vehicle recall, which was announced on Tuesday, November 26th, covers 161,000 model year 2013 Escapes worldwide. They have 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines. Ford reports that the cylinder can overheat and crack, which can cause oil leaks.
Ford added that, of those 161,000 Escapes, about 12,000 may have had their fuel lines installed incorrectly. The engine could chafe the fuel line, which would cause it to leak gas. Most were repaired under a previous vehicle recall.
Ford noted that there have been 13 engine fires reported due to the oil leaks, but no one has been injured or killed because of the problem. There have been no reported fires related to the fuel line problem.
The vehicle manufacturer said, in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, that they began receiving complaints in August, and opened an investigation. Ford decided to issue a vehicle recall after they were able to duplicate the cylinder cracking problem.
Automobile safety advocates say that the number of vehicle recalls Ford has issued for the Escape is a sign of quality problems, because it is unusual for one line of cars. However, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker disagreed. “We’re committed to providing our customers with top-quality vehicles and are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly for our customers,” she said.
The affected vehicles will warn drivers of the potential oil leak problem with engine alerts such as “Engine Power Reduced to Lower Temps” or “Engine over temp, stop safely.” Drivers who see these alerts are advised to pull over and exit the vehicle as soon as possible.
Owners of the affected model will receive mailed vehicle recall notices from Ford in the next 60 days.
What To Do If You Have Been Injured, and the Manufacturer Did Not Issue a Vehicle Recall
If a defect in your vehicle caused a car accident, you may not know immediately what recourse you have. Although the law is complicated, you do have legal recourse against the vehicle’s manufacturer. It is important for manufacturers to pay attention to the quality of their products and issue vehicle recall notices in a timely fashion – however, not all automobile manufacturers will do so, and consumers can be seriously injured or killed.
Under products liability law, it’s the injured party’s burden to prove that the product was defective. Therefore, it is important that the product be inspected by one or more qualified experts to determine the exact nature of the defect and whether that defect caused the harm suffered. If the product is not recovered, the customer may be left with no proof that the product was defective.
Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products. A defective product lawyer can help you with an injury you may receive. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Personal Injury and Vehicle Recalls
If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at (803) 252-4800.