Ford and its Lincoln luxury brand have expanded a recall over fire risks in Ford Escape Hybrid and Escape Plug-in Hybrid SUVs from model years 2020-2023, Maverick Hybrid pickups from model years 2022-2023, and Lincoln Corsair Plug-in Hybrid SUVs from model years 2021-2023. The recall now affects over 125,000 vehicles.
It includes some models already recalled.
The company is aware of at least “23 reports globally of underhood fire or smoke.”
The Engine Fails, but the Car Keeps Driving
The problem occurs when a vehicle’s 2.5-liter engine suffers a fracture in its engine block or oil pan. That shouldn’t happen, and Ford engineers are still searching for an explanation for why it happened in these vehicles.
After such an engine failure, Ford says, the hybrid system “continues to propel the vehicle allowing the customer to continue to drive.” But dangerous fuel vapor can accumulate under the hood. There, it can reach hot exhaust parts and ignite.
Ford says drivers would likely notice loud noises like a “metal-to-metal clank” and a reduction in engine torque as the failure occurred. The hybrid system would allow them to continue driving at reduced power. But Ford is urging owners not to do that.
“Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.”
Engineers Still Working on a Solution
Ford is still developing a solution for the problem.
Ford previously recalled some of these vehicles and modified an under-engine shield to allow vapors to escape. But that hasn’t prevented or even explained the fractures.
When the fix is found, dealers will execute it for free.
Many cars are recalled to fix safety defects, sometimes more than once. While automakers try to reach every owner to ask them to bring the vehicle in for repair, they rarely reach them all. Millions of vehicles on American roads need free recall repairs. Check the easy VIN tool at our recall center to find out if your car is one of them.
