The latest victim of a potential auto defect, dictating a recall, is the new Ford Escape Crossover model. Redesigned for the 2013 model year, the popular Escape has a problem that could give a driver difficulty when applying the brakes. Although realizing the potential harm from recalling the brand new model, the company wants to minimize any future damage and claims of auto defect.

Apparently all new models sold in Pennsylvania or elsewhere are not part of the recall. Rather the carmaker notified the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration that “improperly installed carpet padding” on some vehicles decreases space between the console and brake pedals. This may encourage some driver feet to contact the side, instead of the center, of the brake pedal when transferring a foot from the accelerator.

This extra time to stop the vehicle, while only a second or two, might lead to additional car accidents and personal injuries. The carmaker believes this flaw only affects around 8,000 Escapes built between March 8 and June 7, 2012. Taking this action to avoid potential problems, Ford dealers will remove and replace both this carpet padding and driver’s side console trim at no cost to the crossover’s owners.

Ford has invested big dollars in promoting the redesign and improvements with the new Escape. While the resurgent carmaker realizes a recall will not help encourage sales of the new model, the company, which has not received any formal complaints, hopes to short-circuit any potential detriments to the respected Escape brand.

Do you commend the Ford Motor Company for taking preventive action for a potential problem that has yet to materialize? Should more carmakers treat potential problems as soon as they discover evidence of a possible auto defect that may cause problems in the future?

Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Ford Recalls Certain New Escape Crossovers,” Jonathan Welsh, July 15, 2012