Any time a company says there is something wrong with a product, it's scary. But the massive Ford recall of nearly half a million minivans and SUVS is absolutely terrifying for parents today. These are the kinds of cars that they drive every day! This is the way they drive their kids to daycare or maneuver the carpool to school!
The cars being called off the road and into service shops run the risk of fire or a loss of power. But before you panic, here's what you have to know:
1. The cars affected include the 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape compact SUV, and the 2004 and 2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans.
2. The problem with the minivans is the torque converter output shaft, which can fail, causing a sudden loss of power in the car and a possible crash.
3. The shaft on the minivans can be replaced by dealers at no cost to the customer, although the recall won't officially begin until the second quarter of the calendar year when Ford is expected to contact individual owners.
4. On the Escape models covered by the recall, the brake master cylinder reservoir cap has been found to be faulty. If brake fluid were to leak out of the cap, the worry is that it could come in contact with wiring on the anti-lock brake system and cause a fire.
5. Ford will be contacting individual owners beginning January 23, and drivers of these Escapes will be advised to park the vehicle and stop driving until a fix can be made. A dealer will replace the cap free of charge and alter the ABS system to meet the new requirements. A parts delay is expected, so it may take awhile to get your car completely fixed.
6. For more information, Ford car owners can call the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 866-436-7332 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236.
Have you been driving your family around in one of Ford's recalled vehicles?
Image via Ford Motor Company