Ford Recalls 262,113 Escape SUVs

DEARBORN, Mich. December 28, 2004; The AP reported that Ford Motor Co. is recalling 262,113 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles to repair a defect in the rear gate. The recall is the second of the vehicles this month.

Monday's recall covers 2001-2005 models whose rear lift gate could open during a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site.

In addition, 49,800 of Mazda Motor Corp.'s Tribute SUVs, similar to the Escape, were recalled for the same problem, the Detroit Free Press reported in a Tuesday story.

Earlier this month, Ford recalled 470,245 SUVs from the 2002-2004 model years because of a possible accelerator problem that could result in elevated engine speeds.