2013 Ford Escape Problems

The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When it is plugged in, the leak can cause an electrical short circuit, which raises the risk of a fire.

Fix: Do not plug in the block heater until it is fixed; the dealer will replace the block heater free of charge.

The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach. A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022.

These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct.

The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime. If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.

A part inside the door latch can break, so the door may not latch or may look closed when it is not. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is moving and injure someone inside.

Fix: The dealer will replace the door latches with an improved part free of charge.

Poorly crimped wiring connections to the manifold pressure sensor can send incorrect signals to the engine computer. This can make the vehicle hesitate or the engine stall, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will replace the crimped wiring splices with new ones at no cost to you.

The protective coating on the Restraint Control Module can crack, and moisture can then cause short circuits on its circuit board. If that happens, the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and seat belt pretensioners may not work as intended in a crash, raising the risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the Restraint Control Module free of charge, though replacement parts are not yet available, so you will be notified when the repair can be done.

0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM). The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge.

The restraint control module's software may contain errors that delay deployment of the side-curtain rollover airbag. If the airbag is late in a rollover, passengers face a higher risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will reprogram the restraint control module at no cost to you.

Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving. A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge.

The weld joints that attach the seatback recliner to the seat frame may be too weak, so the seatback can become loose or lean while driving. This raises the chance of injury in certain crashes.

Fix: The dealer will replace the seatback assembly at no cost to you.

6L engine subject to prior safety recall NHTSA 12V-336. In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The misinstalled fuel line could chafe and eventually leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

Some engines can overheat in one spot on the cylinder head, which may crack and let engine oil leak. The leaking oil can touch a hot engine surface and possibly start a fire in the engine compartment.

Fix: Dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling, and control systems at no charge to the owner.

The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock. The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge.

6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids. If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicleÂ’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicleÂ’s powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service.

6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant. As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge.

A fuel line in the engine compartment can split, causing fuel to leak. If the leak meets an ignition source, it can start a fire or cause injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line free of charge, and a rental vehicle will be provided if needed.

Due to mis-positioned carpet padding the center console trim panel may be pushed outboard of the intended position, reducing clearance relative to the pedal package. The reduced clearance may result in the driverâ’s foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel, free of charge.