Ford recalling 6,164 Escape hybrids to fix drive-train shaft
Ford Motor Co. is recalling six thousand Escape hybrid SUVs in order to inspect and possibly fix a drive-train shaft that may fracture, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in Washington. The problem is that the SUV may continue to roll after being place in "park" because the shaft may not have been heat-treated correctly. There have been no reports of injuries, but there were 14 reports of the problem. The recall will start later this month (on or before the 23rd) and affects only the four-wheel-drive version of the gasoline-electric 2006 Escape. These SUVs were built at Ford's Kansas City, Mo., assembly plant between July 2005 and April 2006.
[Source: Bloomberg News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter 4:55PM (10/10/2006)
Rolling with the transmission in park is bad, but isn't the larger problem that the engine can't turn the wheels if the driveshaft is broken?
Plus, it's much more likely to break under load when driving than when the car is parked.
On the other hand, phrasing it as a parking problem is clever PR because it sounds like no big deal at all.
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Tom Roberts 12:05AM (10/11/2006)
I believe you have it backwards:
"Certain 2006 model year Escape Hybrid front wheel drive vehicles built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant from July 28, 2005 through April 21, 2006. Mariner Hybrid vehicles are not affected and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Escape Hybrid vehicles are NOT affected."
Correction time....
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Sebastian 2:13AM (10/11/2006)
Tom,
where are you finding that information? The Bloomberg article reads:
"The recall covers only the four-wheel-drive version of the gasoline-electric 2006 Escape. It's expected to begin on or before Oct. 23, the safety agency said.
The SUVs in question were produced from July 28, 2005, through April 21, 2006, at Ford's Kansas City, Mo., assembly plant, the company said in a statement."
What am I missing?
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Tom Roberts 7:27AM (10/11/2006)
Ford's internal "heads up" memo to dealers dated 10/9. Lifted it right off the page.
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