Ford is recalling 465,000 vehicles worldwide resulting from complaints about fuel leaks that can pose a fire hazard on several 2013 model year cars. The recalls include the 2013 Explorer, Flex, Fusion, Taurus, Police Interceptor sedans, and three Lincoln models.
According to a Ford spokeswoman, the company received 600 complaints since March 31 that gas tanks were leaking fuel onto the ground. Customers could smell or see the liquid, which could combust if it came into contact with a spark. Ford alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its decision to recall on May 28.
In the U.S., Ford is recalling 390,000 vehicles; 23,000 in Canada and 7,600 in Mexico; the remaining recalls are in Europe, South America and Asia.
The company issued several recalls for the Fusion since its launch; in December 2012 it recalled about 89,000 vehicles, including the Escape with a similar engine, for the possibility of engine fires. It later issued a warning for 19,000 second-generation Fusions with low headlamp projectors that decreased driver visibility. In May, Ford recalled about 340,000 Ford Super Duty pickup trucks.
Ford says the most recent problem has caused no known fires, accidents or injuries.
The recall should not affect manufacture's insurance rates when there are no injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says there are about 600 recalls issued annually, many of which go unreported.
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