NHTSA Investigates 200,000 Ford Escape and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs for Shattering Tailgate Glass

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it has opened a preliminary investigation concerning 200,000 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs from the 2010 and 2011 model years, after receiving several complaints that the window glass in the tailgate allegedly shattered without warning.

The safety agency said it received 18 complaints noting that “the liftgate window glass shattered spontaneously, while opening the liftgate or while closing the liftgate. In one alleged injury incident, the complainant and her 10 year old son were cut by glass fragments."

According to the NHTSA, many of the incidents happened during cold temperatures. The organization mentioned that Ford has issued an internal technical service bulletin to its dealers on November 22 2010 referring to broken windows in 2010-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs. The bulletin said that “some 2010-2011 Escape and Mariner vehicles built on or before Oct. 15, 2010 may experience the liftgate window glass breaking, typically when colder ambient temperatures are present.”

The same document instructed dealers to “correct the condition by replacing the liftgate window glass after closely inspecting for any signs of impact or external damage that may have caused the glass breakage.” It recommended the replacement of the glass if no evidence of external damage was found.

Ford said it is aware of the investigation and will cooperate with the safety agency. The company had a similar problem in September 2004 when it recalled 955,000 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs from the 2002 and 2003 model years after a preliminary investigation from the NHTSA revealed the two models had faulty tailgate.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Vertrek Concept Live from Detroit [Photos and Video]

Unveiled at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the Vertrek Concept previews Ford’s next global compact SUV, set to replace both the European Kuga and North American Escape models. While it’s not so different compared to the Kuga, the concept car is certainly more modern than the current Ford Escape.

“It is a revolution compared to what is typically seen in this segment in North America and is a stylish evolution compared with products outside North America. This new design is sleeker and more fuel efficient and delivers the capability, including people and cargo volume, customers demand globally”, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development.

With the new model, the automaker is targeting class-leading fuel economy and low emissions, without forgetting performance. The Vertrek is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged Ecoboost four-pot with start and stop technology.

Outside the U.S., the new global compact SUV will also receive Duratorq diesel engines, such as the recently updated 2.0-liter motor, which delivers better fuel economy and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 7 percent, depending on application.

The key markets for the Vertrek-based series model are expected to be North America, Europe and China.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________VIDEOS_______________________________

Ford Vertrek Concept Previews Next Escape and Kuga SUVs

These are the first official photos of Ford's Detroit Show-bound Vertrek concept study, which previews a common replacement for the European market Kuga crossover and the North American Escape SUV.

The compact-sized model is based on the underpinnings of the Focus hatch and is powered by Ford's 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine featuring start and stop technology for improved fuel efficiency.

The production model, which could hit the market as early as 2012, will most likely lose many of the concept's cool features such as the panoramic glass roof, carbon fiber aero-pack and of course, the purely conceptual interior, but will retain the basic shape of the concept.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________