13V-583
1.6L EcoBoost Cylinder-Head Overheat / Engine Fire
Ford 13S12, 2013 Escape built 2011-10-05 through 2013-06-02 with the 1.6L EcoBoost. Localized overheating of the cylinder head can crack it and let oil leak onto hot surfaces — an engine-compartment fire risk. Remedy modifies the engine shielding, cooling and control systems. This is the single most important open recall on a 1.6L car; treat an unremedied VIN as a walk-away.
13V-584
Fuel Line Misinstalled During a Prior Recall Repair (1.6L)
Ford 13S12, 2013 Escape built 2011-10-05 through 2012-07-11 with the 1.6L, and only cars already repaired under the earlier 12V-336 fuel-line recall. The replacement fuel line may have been routed wrong during that repair, letting it chafe and eventually leak. Remedy inspects and, if needed, replaces the line. The buyer-useful point: having 12V-336 marked complete is not reassurance on its own — this campaign exists because that repair was sometimes done badly.
12V-336
Engine-Compartment Fuel Line May Split (1.6L)
2013 Escape built 2011-10-08 through 2012-07-11 with the 1.6L. The engine-compartment fuel line can split and leak; Ford told owners to stop driving and had dealers collect the cars. Remedy replaces the line. See 13V-584 — the follow-up campaign covering repairs that were performed incorrectly.
12V-431
Cylinder-Head Cup Plug Dislodges / Coolant Loss (1.6L)
2013 Escape built 2011-10-05 through 2012-08-31 with the 1.6L. The cylinder-head cup plug (freeze plug) can push out, dumping coolant; glycol evaporating on the hot engine can ignite. Remedy seals the existing plug and adds a secondary cover. One of four separate 1.6L fire-risk campaigns on this car — the pattern, not any single number, is the reason a 1.6L Escape needs its full VIN history pulled.
12V-551
1.6L Engine Overheat / Fluid Leak Fire Risk
2013 Escape built 2011-10-05 through 2012-11-26 and 2013 Fusion with the 1.6L. Engines may overheat and leak fluid onto the hot exhaust. Ford issued this one before a remedy existed and arranged alternate transportation for owners. Verify by VIN that the final remedy was performed, not just that the car was notified.
22V-413
Transmission Shift-Cable Bushing / Rollaway (Ford 22S43)
2013-2019 Escape (also 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, 2015-2018 Edge, ~2.9M vehicles). The bushing attaching the shifter cable to the transmission can degrade or detach, so the car may not go into the gear selected and can roll after the driver selects Park. Remedy replaces the under-hood bushing and adds a protective cap. Test it on the lot: with the car on a slight grade, select Park and let off the brake before shutting down — and always confirm the parking brake works.
18V-471
Shift-Cable Bushing Detaches — earlier campaign (Ford 18S20)
2013-2014 Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion with the six-speed automatic. Same bushing, earlier remedy: the driver can move the lever to Park and remove the key while the transmission is not actually in Park, with no warning chime. A 2013 Escape is in scope for BOTH this and 22V-413, and the later campaign exists because this repair did not hold. Check that both are closed.
20V-331
Door Latches — prior repair may not have been done correctly (Ford 20S30)
2013-2015 Escape among many Ford and Lincoln models. Escapes in this population were already repaired under 16V-643, but the repair may have been performed incorrectly, leaving a latch component that can break and let a door open while driving. (15V-246 and 17V-210, the other campaigns 20V-331 re-inspects, cover the Fiesta, Fusion and MKZ — not the Escape.) Remedy inspects the latch date codes and replaces latches as needed. Open and firmly close every door; a door that needs a second slam is worth a VIN check.
16V-643
Door Latch Component Breakage (Ford 16S30)
2013-2015 Escape and C-MAX, 2012-2015 Focus, 2015 Mustang and MKC, 2014-2016 Transit Connect. A component inside the door latch can break, preventing the door from latching or making it seem closed when it is not. Remedy replaces the latches with an improved part. Superseded in practice by 20V-331 for cars whose first repair was botched.
14V-597
Restraint Control Module Coating Cracks — airbags may not deploy (Ford 14S21)
2013-2014 Escape built 2011-10-05 through 2013-11-01, plus C-Max, Fusion and MKZ. The coating on the restraint control module can crack; with humidity, circuits on the board short and the frontal airbags, side curtains and belt pretensioners may not function in a crash. Remedy replaces the RCM. This is the most safety-consequential non-fire recall on the car — an illuminated airbag lamp is a hard stop.
14V-237
Rollover Curtain Airbag Deployment Delay (Ford 14S04)
2013-2014 Escape and C-MAX. A programming error in the restraint control module can delay side-curtain rollover airbag deployment. Remedy is an RCM reflash — quick and free, so there is no excuse for it to be open.
14V-495
MAP Sensor Wiring Splices / Stall (2.0L, Ford 14S17)
2013-2014 Escape with the 2.0L EcoBoost built 2011-10-05 through 2013-04-01 (and Focus ST). Insufficient compression in the engine harness splices to the manifold absolute pressure sensor sends bad signals to the PCM; the engine can hesitate or stall. Remedy replaces the crimped splices. If a 2.0L test drive includes an unexplained stumble at low speed, this is the first thing to check.
15V-813
MAP Sensor Splices — expanded campaign (Ford 14S17-S1)
2013 Escape built 2012-01-11 through 2013-04-01 and 2013-2014 Focus ST. The expansion of 14S17 covering the same splice defect and the same stall risk, with the same splice-replacement remedy. A 2013 Escape can be in scope for either or both — check the VIN rather than assuming the earlier repair covered it.
14V-239
Door Handle Misalignment — door may open while driving (Ford 14S03)
2013-2014 Escape built 2011-10-05 through 2014-04-10. An assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel can make doors hard to close or let them open while driving. Remedy inspects and corrects the handle mounting. Distinct from the latch campaigns above, and it can be diagnosed by feel — a handle that sits proud of the panel or a door that will not shut cleanly.
14V-164
Front Seatback Recliner Weld Strength (Ford 14C03)
2013-2014 Escape built 2012-06-05 through 2013-08-12, plus Fusion, MKZ and C-Max. Driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have sub-standard welds attaching the recliner mechanism to the seat frame, failing FMVSS 207. The seatback can feel loose or lean while driving. Remedy replaces the seatback. Push hard on both front seatbacks during the walkaround.
13V-085
Left Rear Door Child Lock Built Incorrectly
A very narrow campaign: 2013 Escape built 2012-11-14 through 2012-11-21 only (plus a matching Focus and C-Max window). The left rear child lock may not engage when operated normally, so an adult can believe it is set when the door still opens from inside. Remedy inspects and replaces the latch. Small population, but worth confirming if you are buying this as a family car — and worth testing the lock either way.
12V-319
Console Trim Panel Reduces Brake-Pedal Clearance
2013 Escape built 2012-03-08 through 2012-06-07. Mis-positioned carpet padding can push the center console trim panel outboard, cutting clearance around the pedals so the driver's foot can catch the side of the brake pedal moving off the accelerator, lengthening stopping distances. Remedy removes the padding and replaces the panel. Feel for it on the test drive — your right foot should swing between pedals without brushing trim.
Multiple
Open recalls — VIN check
The 2013 Escape carries 17 NHTSA campaigns — among the highest counts of any vehicle on this site — and four of them are 1.6L EcoBoost fire-risk campaigns. There is no Takata inflator campaign on this car, so treat any listing or checklist claiming one as unverified. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and on a 1.6L car require documentation that 12V-336, 12V-431, 12V-551, 13V-583 and 13V-584 are all closed before purchase.