Ford Recalls Escape Hybrids

Ford Motor Co. will recall 6,164 Escape hybrid sportinjuries or accidents."
utility vehicles built at Claycomo plant. According to theThe failure of drivetrain shafts to function is attributed
U.S. traffic agency, said units need to be inspected dueto the wrong installation and improper heat treatment.
to the reported possibility of drivetrain shaft fracture.Moreover, according to the agency the fracture may
Said fracture is attributed to the improper installation ofhave resulted in the SUV rolling after the gearshift is
the shaft.placed in 'park'.
The recall will include all front-wheel drive version ofDuring the recall, Ford will replace fractured or
the gasoline-electric 2006 Ford Escape hybrid SUVsdamaged drivetrain shafts. This was statement was
which are manufactured from July 28, 2005, throughmade public by NHTSA last Monday in Washington.
April 21, 2006. The recall of said vehicles is scheduledAside from the drivetrain shafts, no other Ford Escape
on or before Oct. 23.hybrid parts were reported to have discrepancies.
According to Kristen Kinley, Ford spokesperson, FordFord said that the dealers will inspect the affected
built about 20,000 Escape Hybrids in the 2006 modelEscape hybrids and repair them if necessary at no
year. However, only 6,164 of it will be inspected Ford.cost. Moreover, the owners of the affected vehicles
The information was given by the National Highwaycan contact the Ford at (800) 392-3673.
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Said inspectionThe recall will only include a slice of 2006 Ford Escape
is triggered by a handful of reports that havehybrid production and will not affect its sister vehicle -
swarmed Ford. The company has in fact identified 14Mercury Mariner. The latter was also manufactured at
reports of the problem through its internal database.Claycomo plant and was produced only as
Kinley further added, "There have been no reports ofall-wheel-drive vehicles.