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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2013 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 18 safety recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford Escape, spanning 12 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

URGENT CAMPAIGN FLAG

NHTSA records include a Do Not Drive advisory for at least one campaign associated with 2013 Ford Escape. Open the campaign and verify the VIN before operating or parking the vehicle.

Distinct campaigns18not VIN-specific
Component groups12distinct top-level categories
Latest recordJanuary 15, 2026report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2013 Ford Escape recall campaigns

The 2013 Ford Escape report contains 18 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 26V011000 dated January 15, 2026.
DO NOT DRIVE
Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
July 18, 2012
Potential units
9,320campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.

Why it matters: If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle. Customers will be provided with a rental vehicle if needed. The dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line, free charge. The recall began on August 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Owner notification: August 10, 2012 · Filing manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Component
EQUIPMENT
Report received
January 15, 2026
Potential units
116,672campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Owner notification: Date not reported · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
June 10, 2022
Potential units
2,925,968campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Owner notification: October 27, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Report received
June 8, 2020
Potential units
2,147,323campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. 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.

Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

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. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Owner notification: July 27, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V471000

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
July 16, 2018
Potential units
504,182campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.

Owner notification: September 20, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Report received
September 6, 2016
Potential units
2,046,297campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Owner notification: January 27, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 15V813000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
December 2, 2015
Potential units
9,017campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. 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).

Why it matters: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.

Owner notification: January 7, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 14V597000

Component
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Report received
September 26, 2014
Potential units
746,842campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

Why it matters: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.

Owner notification: May 26, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 14V495000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
August 11, 2014
Potential units
133,227campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 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).

Why it matters: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.

Owner notification: October 6, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 14V239000

Component
STRUCTURE
Report received
May 7, 2014
Potential units
581,986campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. 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.

Why it matters: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S03.

Owner notification: May 30, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 14V237000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
May 7, 2014
Potential units
594,785campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

Why it matters: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.

Owner notification: May 30, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 14V164000

Component
SEATS
Report received
April 2, 2014
Potential units
43,135campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems.".

Why it matters: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.

Owner notification: May 30, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 13V584000

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
November 25, 2013
Potential units
9,469campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L 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.

Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014. The recall began on April 9, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

Owner notification: April 9, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 13V583000

Component
ENGINE
Report received
November 25, 2013
Potential units
139,917campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through June 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6L engines. The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak.

Why it matters: Leaking engine oil may come into contact with a hot engine surface potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014. The recall began on April 9, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

Owner notification: April 9, 2014 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 13V085000

Component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Report received
March 7, 2013
Potential units
5,675campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Owner notification: March 27, 2013 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 12V551000

Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Report received
December 3, 2012
Potential units
80,057campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L 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.

Why it matters: If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle’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. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as Ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact Ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Owner notification: December 7, 2012 · Filing manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 12V431000

Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Report received
September 4, 2012
Potential units
6,146campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

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.

Why it matters: As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.

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.

Owner notification: September 11, 2012 · Filing manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 12V319000

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE
Report received
July 6, 2012
Potential units
8,266campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2012 through june 7, 2012. 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

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. the recall began on july 20, 2012. owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Owner notification: July 20, 2012 · Filing manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2013 Ford Escape?

The most frequent component groups in 2013 Ford Escape campaign records are Latches/Locks/Linkages (3), Structure (2), Fuel System, Gasoline (2), Engine And Engine Cooling (2), Air Bags (2); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Structure2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Air Bags2