Recalls[edit] In July 2012, Ford recalled 11,500 new Escapes in the U.S. and Canada after three fires were reported. The fuel line leading to the engine compartment can split under pressure. The possible leak only affects Escapes with the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine built from April through July 11 of 2012. Only 4,800 had been sold while the rest were in dealer stock.
Later in July, Ford issued a second recall for 11,000 Escapes built from March 8 to
June 7 of 2012 because of tight clearance around the foot pedals that could cause the operator to accidentally hit the brake.[82] On September 5, 2012, Ford ordered a third recall for its redesigned 2013 Escape SUV. This recall covers 7,600 2013 Escape SUVs built with the 1.6-liter engines, including 6,150 in the United States and 1,300 in Canada. Ford says the recall is to prevent a dislodged cup plug in the engine cylinder head.[83]
On December 1, 2012, Ford recalled the Escape for the fourth time for a fire risk pertaining to the 1.6-liter engines, owners were asked to stop driving their vehicles until a solution was found.[84] A glitch in the engine control software was quickly determined to be the cause of the engine fires, and an update to the software was offered by Ford to correct the issue.[85]