The defect
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
The risk
As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Escape | 2013 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape | 2013 | 2,753 | 18 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 2012
29 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the engine and engine cooling; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 12V572000 11 Dec 2012 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 12V570000 11 Dec 2012 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 12V551000 3 Dec 2012 | Ford Motor Company |
| 12V550000 27 Nov 2012 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 12V477000 1 Oct 2012 | LOTUS CARS USA, INC. |
| 12V475000 28 Sept 2012 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 12V476000 27 Sept 2012 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 12V473000 27 Sept 2012 | NAVISTAR, INC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012