Ford is recalling Escape - again.
Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 432,000 cars, crossovers and “people-movers” because of a software glitch that might make it difficult to shut the vehicles off.
Ford says the problem is a flaw in the body control module used on three of its key product lines, the compact Focus sedan, the Escape utility vehicle, and the C-Max microvan. It can impact both vehicles with keyed ignitions as well as those with start/stop buttons.
If the system fails, the vehicles may keep running even if the ignition button is pressed or the key is turned to the “off” position and removed, Ford said.
The maker also noted that it knows of no crashes or injuries that have been caused by the problem.
Dealers will update the body control module software at no cost to the customer, the automaker noted.
According to Ford, the recall covers, “certain 2015 Focus vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant from June 17, 2014, through June 12, 2015; certain 2015 C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant from April 22, 2014, through June 12, 2015; and certain 2015 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant from April 1, 2014, through June 12, 2015.”
Of the 432,000 vehicles impacted by the “safety compliance recall,” 375,000 were sold in the U.S., 52,000 in Canada and 5,000 in Mexico.
Though one of the market’s most popular compact crossovers, the Ford Escape has been subject to an ongoing series of recalls since it was redesigned a few years ago, including several linked to potential fire problems. Just last week, Ford recalled 203,500 of its Escape and Transit Connect models because of problems with their instrument panels and seatbelts.
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Safety issues have become a major industry headache, the U.S. auto industry last year recalling more than 60 million vehicles, about twice the previous annual record.
The new Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was grilled by members of a Senate committee last week following on a harshly critical audit of the agency. In turn, NHTSA chief Mark Rosekind has promised to crack down on industry lapses.
Ford’s cross-town rival, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is today facing its own hearing, Rosekind accusing that make of “a pattern” of failing to follow federal safety guidelines.
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Obviously the software programmers or engineers flunked out of safety 101.
This is a perfect example of why the silly add-on push button start-stop gimmick was a very bad idea. With an ignition key it’s pretty obvious if the key is on or off. With a button that is both pushed to turn start or shut the engine off, we’ve already seen accidents because some cars require that the button be held for several seconds to shut the engine off. The stupidity of the marketing dept. is making vehicles more dangerous.