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Another day, another couple of big recalls

Two more big recalls today, this time by Ford Motor Company and Chrysler.

Both companies say they are unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the issues.

Chrysler is recalling about 780-thousand newer model minivans for window switches that can overheat and catch fire.

Ford Motor Company has recalled nearly 700-thousand Escapes and C-Max cars from the 2013 and 2014 model years for a software glitch that can prevent side curtain airbags from inflating in rollover crashes, along with a faulty handle that could let the doors fly open.

Various models of the new Escape have been recalled nine times for other defects.

Recalls in the U.S. have grown in number in recent years.

Companies are more proactive following delayed recall scandals involving Toyota, Ford and General Motors.

Toyota was fined more than a billion dollars by the U.S. Justice Department for delaying a recall of cars with a risk of unintended acceleration caused by sticky gas pedals and floor mats.

Ford paid a fine of more than $17 million last year for delaying a recall of older model Escapes, also due to a risk of unintended accelleration.

General Motors is being investigated by Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the U.S. Justice Department for delaying a recall for nearly 10 years.

Tracy Samilton covers energy and transportation, including the auto industry and the business response to climate change for Michigan Public. She began her career at Michigan Public as an intern, where she was promptly “bitten by the radio bug,” and never recovered.