Ford recalls 150,000 vehicles over fire risk

The 2013 Ford Escape Hybrid at the 2012 North American International Auto Show Industry Preview on January 11, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. INQUIRER STOCK PHOTO

NEW YORK—US auto giant Ford ordered a recall of nearly 150,000 of its popular Escape vehicle on Tuesday, citing a potential risk of engine fire.

The vehicles in question are the 2013 model equipped with the 1.6 liter engine, manufactured between October 2011 and June 2013.

Some 139,917 vehicles affected by the recall are at risk of localized overheating of the engine cylinder which could lead to an oil leak resulting in fire.

The automaker said it was aware of 12 incidents where this was believed to have occurred in the United States and Canada.

Ford also wants to reinspect some 9,469 vehicles which were already subjected to a recall last year, because of concerns of the possibility of a fuel leak leading to a fire.

Reports of gasoline odors in the affected vehicles had prompted concerns that repairs on the vehicles had not been properly carried out.

Last year some 85,000 Escapes were recalled in two phases between July and November.