Ford recalls 2013 Escape for 11th time, this time for wiring problem

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. has issued its 11th recall on the 2013 Escape crossover, this time because a wiring problem could cause the engine to hesitate or stall.

The recall covers 159,395 Escapes and Focus ST hatchbacks from the 2013 and 2014 model years with turbocharged 2.0-liter engines in North America. Ford said the engine wiring harnesses may have “splices that were insufficiently compressed during the supplier manufacturing process,” which can affect engine performance by sending incorrect signals to the powertrain control module.

The defect could result in problems including stalling, reduced engine power, hesitation or illumination of the engine-malfunction indicator light, Ford said. No injuries or crashes are linked to the problem. Dealers are being instructed to replace the wiring splices.

Flaws that other recalls on the Escape have addressed include fluid leaks that could cause an engine fire, doors that can open while the vehicle is moving and rollover airbags that may not deploy quickly enough.

Strong U.S. sales

The Escape has been among the most recalled vehicles in the country since it was redesigned in 2013, though the recalls have had little, if any, noticeable effect on U.S. sales. It is the second most-popular crossover, only slightly behind the Honda CR-V, and posted a 19 percent gain in July.

The vehicle was Ford's third-best selling vehicle in the U.S. during the first seven months with sales of 179,448 units, up less than a percentage point from the same period last year. 

A Ford spokeswoman said no single Escape is affected by all 11 recalls. Today’s recall covers 17,354 Focus STs built from February 2012 through October 2013 and 142,041 Escapes built from October 2011 through April 2013. About 133,000 of them are in the United States, 25,000 are in Canada and fewer than 800 are in Mexico.

Other recalls

Ford also announced three smaller recalls of vehicles from the 2015 model year, none of which are attributed to any crashes or injuries:

• 1,319 Transit cargo vans to fix a potential brake-fluid leak. The problem could increase the vehicle’s stopping distance.
• 610 Transits for windowless sliding doors that may have been assembled without an epoxy reinforcement. That could increase the chances of the doors coming unlatched during a side-impact crash, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
• 1,274 Lincoln MKC crossovers with windshields that may not conform to federal safety standards. Ford said the supplier’s manufacturing process may have allowed air to be trapped between the layers of glass, which could lead to bubbles that affect driver visibility.