Ford to recall more than 10,000 Escapes for carpet problem

Ford is recalling more than 10,000 2013 Escape crossover vehicles to fix a carpet issue that could give drivers a problem reaching the brake pedal.

The recalled vehicles, manufactured from March 8 through June 7, feature mispositioned carpet padding in the center console trim panel. That can cause the driver to hit the side of the brake pedal when moving the foot from the accelerator pedal, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could increase stopping distances and the risk of a crash, the agency said.

Dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel and replace it for free. The recall is expected to begin on July 23.

NHTSA said 8,226 vehicles would be recalled in the U.S.

Ford spokeswoman Marcey Zwiebel told the Associated Press that an additional 2,000 Escape vehicles in Canada and a couple of hundred in Mexico would also be affected. She said the automaker had not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem.

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