Vehicle recall 12V431000 · September 4, 2012
2013 Ford Escape
The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Notes
- Ford's recall campaign number is 12S39.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 12V431000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 4, 2012
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Manufacturer campaign
- 12S39
- Owner notification
- September 11, 2012
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 6,146
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Engine and engine cooling
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Escape (2013): 2013
Has your Ford been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.