Mazda recalls more than 52,000 Tribute SUVs over fire risks

- The Detroit News

01/30/2012 - Mazda Motor Co. said Saturday is recalling 52,390 2001-02 Tribute SUVs over fire risks — and is warning owners not to park them in garages until the company gets replacement parts.

The announcement follows the recall earlier this month by Ford Motor Co. of nearly 275,000 2001-02 Ford Escapes for the same fire risks.

Both Mazda and Ford say it was not certain when precisely they will get parts for the recall.

The Mazda Tributes were built by Ford at its Kansas City Assembly plant, where it also assembled the Escapes. At the time, Ford owned a 33.4 percent controlling stake in Mazda.

The recall follows a more than two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into fires in some recalled Ford Escapes and Tributes.

The agency identified at least 86 fires in Escapes that had been recalled and serviced.

Ford said it was calling the vehicles back due to the possibility of corrosion in the ABS module electrical connector. That may result from a brake fluid reservoir cap that can leak brake fluid onto that electrical connector and lead to a fire.

In April 2007, Ford recalled its 2001-04 Escapes and Mazda recalled the 2001-04 Tributes to address potentially missing or misplaced seals in the wiring harness connector to the ABS module electronic control unit.

The part in question was built by Continental Automotive Systems, based in North America.

Ford said some repaired vehicles may not have received a proper inspection or application of electrical grease as instructed.

Ford spokesman Daniel Pierce said replacement parts are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2012.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries attributed to this condition. Mazda's filing with NHTSA didn't disclose any incidents.

Ford has received a few reports of property damage beyond vehicle-only damage as a result of alleged vehicle fires.

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