Ford Recalls 2013 Escape Vehicles Equipped With 1.6L Engines

DEARBORN, MI– Ford announced a voluntarily recall of 2013-MY Escape vehicles equipped with 1.6L engines that the company built through July 11, 2012. The automaker said it estimates it has built and distributed approximately 11,500 vehicles in North America, mostly in the U.S. marketplace, though Ford told Automotive Fleet that out of that total, roughly 350 belong to fleets.

Ford said it’s recalling the Escape vehicles to replace an engine compartment fuel line, which could split and leak fuel, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. According to the automaker, no injuries have been reported, and this issue does not occur when the vehicle’s engine isn’t running.

The automaker said that as a safety precaution, customers who own a 2013-MY Escape with the 1.6L engine should stop driving their vehicles immediately.

According to Ford, the repairs are straightforward and should take less than an hour, depending on parts availability. Fleet customers can visit www.fordowner.com, www.fleet.ford.com, or contact Ford's Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

By Greg Basich