Skip to content

NHTSA Recall 12V551000: Engine and engine cooling

Ford Motor Company reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 80,057 vehicles. It affects 2 models including the Ford Escape.

80,057
vehicles potentially affected
2
models affected
2012
owners notified (December 7)
NHTSA campaign12V551000
Manufacturer campaign12S41
ComponentENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Report receivedDecember 3, 2012
Owner notificationDecember 7, 2012
Initiated byManufacturer

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes

Ford's recall campaign number is 12S41.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.

Vehicles covered by recall 12V551000

Make and modelModel years
Ford Escape2013
Ford Fusion2013

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.