Older Ford Escapes recalled for sticking throttle

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 485,000 units of the Escape SUV from the 2001-04 model years to check for a damaged cruise-control cable that could cause the throttle to stick open.

The recall covers the Escape in North America and the SUV in Europe, where it was sold with the Maverick nameplate. The recalled vehicles are equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and cruise control. About 421,000 of the recalled Escapes were sold in the United States.

Ford also built a mechanically similar vehicle for Mazda, which it sold as the Tribute. A recall for the Tribute has not yet been issued.

This is the third time within two weeks that Ford has issued recalls for vehicles wearing the Escape nameplate. The first two recalls covered the redesigned 2013 model, including one in which a fuel line could break and spray gasoline on the hot engine, which could ignite a fire.

Ford says the sticking-throttle problem lies with the cruise-control cable that runs under a plastic engine cover and could snag. If that happens, the snagged cable could prevent the throttle from closing. The problem can occur if the driver pushes the gas pedal to the floor, causing the cable to flex.

To fix the problem, dealers will install a new fastener that increases the space between the engine and the plastic cover.

Ford says it will take a few weeks before repair parts are at dealerships. The company is asking owners to avoid flooring the gas pedal until the vehicle is repaired. Dealers will offer to disconnect the cruise control and move the cable until repair parts arrive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has had nearly 100 complaints of sticking throttles on the Escape and the Tribute. Those reports included 13 crashes, nine injuries and one death. The agency has opened an investigation into the problem.

By Dale Jewett