Ford Recalls Certain 2001 To 2004 Model Escapes

July 30, 2012

We'd like customers to be aware of our recent voluntary recall:

• Ford announced a voluntary safety recall of certain 2001 through 2004 model year, left-hand drive Ford Escape and Maverick vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and speed control.
• Ford estimates that there are approximately 484,600 vehicles affected by this recall with the vast majority in the U.S. market. Other engine options offered during those model years are unaffected.
• Ford voluntarily is recalling these early-model year Escapes due to inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable, which could allow the throttle to stick when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed.
• It's important to note that the condition does not cause the engine to accelerate or go into a wide open state on its own. The condition only has the potential to occur after the driver has pressed the pedal all the way or almost all the way to the floor.
• Drivers can avoid this condition by not fully or almost-fully depressing the accelerator pedal until the vehicle is repaired. Should drivers experience what they believe is a stuck throttle, they should firmly and steadily apply the brakes without pumping the brake pedal, shift to neutral, steer the vehicle to a safe location, shut the engine off and place the transmission in "park" after the vehicle is safely stopped.
• To address the issue, Ford will raise the engine cover by replacing a fastener, providing adequate clearance for the cable under all conditions.
• Ford estimates the needed volume of parts for this repair will be available in the next few weeks. In the interim, customers may take affected vehicles to their dealership to have the speed control cable disconnected and secured in place until the long-term corrective action can be completed.

Customers may get further information about these and other recalls by entering a Vehicle Identification Number at www.fordowner.com or they may contact Ford's Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.