Ford recalling 89k 2013 Fusion and Escape models over engine fires, urges owners to park their cars

Ford has announced a recall of 89,153 vehicles equipped with 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engines over the possibility of overheating and, in some instances, fires starting in the engine compartment. The brand new 2013 Fusion accounts for 15,833 of the affected models, the other 73,320 being the 2013 Escape. This is the fourth time the recently launched Escape has been recalled, and this is the third time the recall has involved the 1.6-liter engine.

In a statement issued Friday, Ford confirmed that there have been new reports of these engines overheating, resulting in fires while the engine is running. No injuries have been reported in conjunction with this issue, and Ford states that the affected vehicles' instrument clusters may display warning notifications reading, "Engine Power Reduced to Lower Temps" or "Engine over temp, stop safely."

Ford is currently working on a repair procedure and will notify owners as soon as a fix is found. In the meantime, the automaker is urging owners to stop driving these affected vehicles and to contact a Ford dealer to arrange for alternate transportation at no charge. Owners in the United States may call 866.436.7332 for assistance with securing a different set of wheels (888.222.7814 in Canada).

Fusion and Escape models equipped with 2.5-liter naturally aspirated and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines are not affected by this recall. The Fusion Hybrid is also not affected.

Scroll down to read Ford's official release, which also contains details on how to see if your vehicle is affected by this recall simply by looking at the VIN.

 

Press Release

Ford Acts Promptly for Customer Safety by Recalling 2013 Escapes with 1.6-liter Engines and 2013 Fusions with 1.6-liter Engines for Risk of Overheating That May Result in Engine Fires

- Ford Motor Company is acting on behalf of its customers by conducting a voluntary safety recall of 2013 SE and SEL model Ford Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 SE and SEL model Fusions equipped with the 1.6-liter engine

- The recall comes after reports of engines overheating, followed by vehicle fires starting in the engine compartment when the engine is running; no injuries have been reported

- Ford is advising owners of these vehicles to contact their dealer immediately for alternative transportation at no cost to the customer; U.S. owners also may call 866-436-7332 and Canadian customers also may call 888-222-7814 for details on securing alternative transportation

- Repair procedures are not currently available

Customers can determine whether their vehicle is part of the recall by:

-Checking their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); the eighth character will be an "X" on Escapes or an "R" on Fusions,
Logging onto Ford.com, select the "Support" tab, click "View Notices and Recalls" and input their VIN, or

-Calling the numbers listed above or contact their dealer

- Escapes equipped with the 2.0-liter and the 2.5-liter engines are unaffected as are Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter and hybrid engines

DEARBORN, Mich., November 30, 2012 – Ford Motor Company today announced a voluntary safety recall of 2013 Ford Escape SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Ford Fusion SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine.

Ford estimates that there are approximately 73,320 Escapes and 15,833 Fusions produced and distributed for sale in the U.S. and Canada with 1.6-liter engines, with most in the U.S. market. The issue does not affect 2013 Escape or 2013 Fusion models with other engines.

Customers driving 2013 Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Fusion models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine are advised to contact their dealer as soon as possible to arrange for alternative transportation at no charge. Repair procedures are not currently available.

Ford is voluntarily recalling these vehicles because of reports of engine overheating, resulting in engine fires while the engine is running. No injuries have been reported.
Some drivers who have experienced high engine temperatures followed by engine fires say that their clusters have shown the message "Engine Power Reduced to Lower Temps" or "Engine over temp, stop safely." Some also indicated that their instrument clusters sounded a chime and illuminated a red light.

Drivers who see any of these indications should safely pull off the road as soon as possible, turn off the engine and exit the vehicle. Ford will compensate owners for costs tied to overheating as well.

"We have identified an issue and are taking actions in the best interest of our customers," said Steve Kenner, director of Ford's Automotive Safety Office. "It is important that affected customers not ignore this recall and contact their dealer as soon as possible. While we recognize the inconvenience recalls cause our customers, we are taking these actions on their behalf to help ensure their safety."

Ford is working on a repair procedure. When parts are available, the company will notify customers so they can schedule a service appointment with dealers.

Meanwhile, Ford is advising affected owners to contact a Ford dealer as soon as possible for alternative transportation at no cost to the customer; U.S. owners also may call 866-436-7332 and Canadian customers also may call 888-222-7814 for details on securing alternative transportation.

Customers can see if they are affected by the recall by:

- Checking their 17-digit VIN, located on a label on the driver door opening, at the base of the windshield on the driver's side of their vehicle, or on their vehicle registration. In vehicles with 1.6-liter engines, the eighth character will be "X" on Escapes or "R" on Fusions;

- Logging onto Ford.com, click "View Notices and Recalls" in the "Support" tab and input their VIN to determine if their vehicle is part of the recall;

- Calling 866-436-7332 in the U.S. or 888-222-7814 in Canada; or

- Contacting a Ford dealer

 

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : 2013 Ford Fusion does the techno sound collage music thing

If you're wondering what the 2013 Ford Fusion has to do with techno music... well, join the club – we have no idea. We'll defer to an expert, musician Joshua Harrison:

"Techno music, by its nature, is very similar to the makeup of a car... In both cases, there are lots of little pieces mechanically put together. Just like a car, a Techno song has many elements that serve their own small purpose, and the masters of the craft are those who can put it all together and make everything work as one solid piece."

Who are we to argue?

In any case, Ford has used an old trick in a somewhat new way in conscripting artists to create techno tracks using sounds made by its Fusion, in this case a 2.0-liter Hybrid model. Listen to the three resulting tracks, then scroll down below to watch a video explaining the process and showing the musicians working their magic.

Even if you don't like techno, it's at least interesting to hear how each track is so wildly different from the other two. And if you do like what you hear, maybe you should consider attending the Movement Electronic Festival in Detroit, May 26-28.

 

 

Press Release

Techno Music and Midsize Sedan Features Create a Fusion of Sound

Detroit-area Techno artists Joshua Harrison, Keith Kemp and Tom Newman sampled sounds from the 2013 Ford Fusion – both natural noises like windows going up and down, and digital creations from the car's sound bank like the welcome chimes – to make original electronic music

All sounds produced by Fusion are painstakingly inspected and are designed to provide a specific driver or passenger response

The musicians were provided by Paxahau – organizers of the Movement Electronic Music Festival in Detroit – continuing a relationship between Ford and the festival

DEARBORN, Mich., May 24, 2012 – In an unusual blend of automotive and musical worlds, three Detroit-area Techno musicians used a 2013 Ford Fusion to make original tracks using the sounds produced by the car. They recorded everything from doors slamming to the soft back-and-forth of the windshield wipers.

The musicians took the sounds back to their studio along with a sound bank of Fusion chimes and tones and got to work. Using loop machines, synthesizers and their own creativity, each artist composed an original song featuring Fusion as an instrument.

Ford was there to capture each artist putting the songs together and explaining his respective process.

The results are tunes that groove with the same drive and energy that thousands of Techno fans who descend upon Detroit this Memorial Day weekend will hear. Each Fusion musician, provided by Paxahau – organizers of the Movement Electronic Music Festival – produced a unique song that transformed the everyday sounds of the car into a work of art. The trunk slam was looped to mimic the iconic kick-drum popular in Detroit Techno, the strong hum of the 2.0-liter hybrid engine is used as an overtone that wails with meditative resonance and the seat belt reminder plays as a melodic syncopation.

"This project worked so well because Techno music, by its nature, is very similar to the makeup of a car," explains Joshua Harrison, contributing musician and a performer in the upcoming festival. "In both cases, there are lots of little pieces mechanically put together. Just like a car, a Techno song has many elements that serve their own small purpose, and the masters of the craft are those who can put it all together and make everything work as one solid piece."

The Fusion music is ripe for melodic composition thanks in part to the dedication of Ford engineers who work painstakingly to ensure the smart technology of the car's sounds is specific and evokes appropriate responses from the driver and passengers.

Engineers write two to three note tones and conduct studies with listening groups to determine the correct sound for potential situations.

Alexander Petniunas, Ford sound quality technical expert, says that audible warning is intended to prompt the operator to respond the right way. Engineers work with four grades of severity. The high pitch staccato sound, for example, is considered the most severe, whereas the three note welcome chimes are meant to deliver a comfortable greeting. The sounds are designed to conjure an emotional response. The project worked out so well, said Petniunas, because music does the same thing.

Petniunas says some sounds are designed to be harsh to the human ear, like the loud warning that plays in cross-traffic alert technology, while other sounds like the reverse alert are softer in order to prompt action on the part of the driver but not cause alarm. Hundreds of sounds are analyzed.

"I love that the musicians were so infatuated with the sound of the Fusion's door slams," says Ramita Chawla, Ford sound quality engineer. "It's a testament to all the hard work that went into engineering a solid 'thunk' from the doors over the past few years.

"The level of detail that goes into developing sound quality in several of the vehicle components is often overlooked," she adds, "though subconsciously, these sounds significantly influence customers' perception of quality. I think it's pretty cool to hear pleasant sounds from various parts of the car coming together harmoniously to create these musical tracks."

Ford and the Movement Electronic Music Festival have a friendship spanning more than a decade – beginning when the festival was still in its infancy.

"Detroit inspires the world with its Techno music and cars," says Jason Huvaere, director of the Movement Festival. "Techno music is engineered and manufactured by skilled innovators, much as a vehicle is. When Ford does something like this, it's exciting. And it definitely says to us Ford gets it."

To hear each song, go to facebook.com/fordfusion, and to learn more about the Movement Electronic Festival go to facebook.com/movementdetroit.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.