Updated: December 10, 2012 12:45 PM | By The Associated Press, thecanadianpress.com

Ford says software update will fix fire problem

FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, file photo, Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, introduces the 2013 Ford Fusion during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ford said on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, it will update software on 2013 Escape SUVs and Fusion cars to fix a coolant problem that can cause fires. Last month the automaker recalled more than 89,000 of the vehicles after getting complaints about overheating and fires. It urged owners to get loaner cars from dealers until Ford found a fix.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Canada will update software on 2013 Escape SUVs and Fusion cars to fix a coolant problem that can cause fires.

Last month the automaker recalled about 91,500 of the vehicles, including some 9,850 in Canada, after getting complaints about overheating and fires. It urged owners to get loaner cars from dealers until Ford found a fix. Only vehicles with 1.6-litre turbocharged engines are affected.

Among the recalled vehicles in Canada, about 6,350 Escapes are in customer's hands and about 200 Fusions.

Ford Product Development Chief Raj Nair says the problem happens when a coolant doesn't flow through the radiator to be cooled. That is because a valve is out-of-sync with the thermostat. Overheated coolant can blow gaskets and leak onto hot exhaust parts.

The problem has caused nine fires. Nair says the software change will fix the problem.

So far only about 17,000 customers have taken their cars to dealers.