Ford recalls 485,000 Escape SUVs

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DEARBORN, Mich., July 26 (UPI) -- U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. said it would recall 485,000 small Escape SUVs due to throttle problems that can cause uncontrolled acceleration.

The recall involves 423,000 Escape vehicles in the United States from model years 2001-2004 with 3-liter V6 engines and cruise control. About 60,000 recalled vehicles are outside the United States, The Detroit News reported Thursday.

In addition, 10,000 vehicles being recalled were sold abroad as Ford Mavericks.

Following the death of a 17-year-old in a car crash in Arizona in January, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs for problems with throttles, the News said.

The NHTSA has reviewed close to 100 reports of throttles in these vehicles sticking, most of them from owners of Ford Escape SUVs.

The reports include 13 that involve crashes with nine of those including injuries.

"NHTSA's investigation into this issue remains open, pending the agency's review of the documents provided by Ford in its recall action," said NHTSA spokeswoman Karen Aldana.