DETROIT – Add another major auto recall to the mix for American drivers.
Now, Mazda is recalling 217,500 Tribute SUV's.
Recommended Videos
Those vehicles are at risk for the same problem that lead to a major recall of the Ford Escape on July 26.
Mazda's recall covers the the 2001-2006 and 2008 Mazda Tributes equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and cruise control. The Mazda Tribute was not produced in the 2007 model year.
The Ford recall covers 423,000 2001-04 Escape SUVs with 3.0-liter V-6 engines with cruise control sold in the U.S., and 60,000 outside the U.S. Around 10,000 of the vehicles were sold as the Maverick outside the U.S. The Tribute was a nearly identical vehicle to the Escape built by Ford on the same platform at its Kansas City Assembly plant
Problem Leads To Sticky Pedals
Ford and Mazda say that because of a lack of clearance between the cruise-control cable and engine cover, drivers may not be able to let off the throttle when the cruise control is in use. Ford is investigating whether it needs to recall right-hand versions of the Escape sold outside the U.S.
Last week, NHTSA opened an investigation into 730,000 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs for possible unintended acceleration, after an Arizona crash in which a 17-year-old teen died in January.
NHTSA has 99 reports alleging incidents of stuck throttles in 2001-04 Ford Escapes and Mazda Tributes with V6 engines. Of the total, 68 reports are from Escape owners; 31 are from owners of model-year 2001-04 Tributes. Thirteen crashes and nine injuries were reported.
"NHTSA's investigation into this issue remains open, pending the agency's review of the documents provided by Ford in its recall action. … NHTSA will continue to monitor any future issues involving a stuck throttle or unintended acceleration in these vehicles to ensure there are no additional safety risks that warrant further action," spokeswoman Karen Aldana said.
Advice for Mazda Drivers
Local 4 contacted Mazda about this new recall. Eric Booth, Senior Manager of Public Relations offered this advice:
"We are advising owners that they can temporarily reduce the possibility of this condition occurring by not fully depressing or almost-fully depressing the accelerator pedal. Should drivers experience what they believe is a stuck throttle in this or any other vehicle, they should firmly and steadily apply the brakes without pumping the brake pedal, shift to neutral, steer the vehicle to a safe location and shut the engine off after the vehicle is safely stopped."
Like Ford, Mazda will make repairs to the affected vehicles.