Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, Michigan) has recalled 1,325 of its new Escape sport utility vehicles, along with 1,900 of the Mazda-badged Tribute. The recall is due to an assembly error with the rear wheel bearing hub assembly units.

Some of the 4x2 trucks with non-ABS brakes were built using the wrong rear hub assembly, one designed for the 4x4 (four-wheel-drive) drivetrain.

When the 4x4 hubs are installed on a 4x2 chassis, the rear wheels can loosen, or in some cases, separate from the vehicle.

Ford did not disclose if there had been any accidents or injuries as a result of the wrong hub units being installed, nor is it known how the production problem occurred or was brought to Ford's attention