Ford tells 89,000 Escape, Fusion owners to park cars because of engine fire risk

In a recall with few precedents, Ford warned today that 89,193 owners of brand new 2013 Ford Escape SUVs and Ford Fusions with 1.6-liter turbocharged engines should park their vehicles until further notice due to risk of engine fires -- and gave no estimate of when it would have a repair.

The move marks the third recall for burning 1.6-liter turbocharged engines in the new Escape, a cornerstone of Ford's plans to lure buyers with smaller, more efficient vehicles. The previous two recalls earlier this year had been triggered by a lose coolant cap that could spew engine coolant and a weak gas line. Ford also told owners in the gas line recall to stop driving, but vowed to fix that within two weeks.

Ford says no injuries have been linked to the new problem, which it didn't immediately identify. It says owners in the United States and Canada of any 2013 Escape or Fusion with the 1.6-liter engine should call their dealer immediately, and the dealer would arrange for loaner vehicles until the problem can be repaired. The issue doesn't affect owners of Fusion and Escapes with other engines.

One hint of the problems come from an October complaint to federal auto safety officials from a 2013 Ford Escape owner, who said a few days having the two previous engine fire recalls completed, their Escape broke down on the freeway and burned.