Ford to Recall 484,600 Escapes for Acceleration Defect

Ford Motor Co. plans to begin a global recall next month to fix a cruise control cable in 2001-2004 Escape crossovers that could cause the throttle to stick open, thus causing unintended acceleration.

Most of the 484,600 recalled vehicles were sold in the U.S. The campaign also includes 60,600 Maverick variants sold overseas. All affected vehicles are powered by 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engines.

Ford says dealers will install a clip to increase clearance between the cruise control cable and engine cover, thus preventing binding that could prevent the throttle from returning to idle.

The company's announcement comes a week after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the problem, based on 99 complaints, which include 13 crashes and one fatality. The agency's probe also includes the mechanically identical Mazda Tribute.

NHTSA tells Bloomberg News its investigation will continue in spite of Ford's recall to ensure there are no other issues related to the unintended acceleration problem. The agency also is probing whether cables were damaged during a 2004 recall to fix an accelerator cable defect.

The problem was first publicized on July 10 when the Center for Automotive Safety in Washington, D.C., asked Ford to fix what it described as a "lethal cruise-control cable defect." Clarence Ditlow, the center's executive director, says the agency should fine Ford $17 million because the company has known about the problem since 2005.