Ford issues third recall for 2013 Escape

Ford is recalling the redesigned 2013 Escape SUV for a third time this summer and the second time to fix a problem that could cause a fire in the engine compartment.

The recall covers about 7,600 Escapes equipped with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. About 6,150 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, and the rest are in Canada.

Ford says a cup plug in the engine's cylinder head can come loose. If that happens, coolant can spray on the hot engine and ignite.

The 1.6-liter engine is built in a Ford factory in England. Ford says the suspect cup plugs were installed manually at times when the automated system was not working.

No customers have reported fires due to the problem. Ford said a Tennessee dealership reported an engine fire on Aug. 8. No one was injured.

Dealers will install a second seal on the cup plug and place a cap over it. The repair is expected to take about 3.5 hours. Ford says repair parts are already at dealerships.

This is the second time Ford has recalled the new Escape for an engine fire issue, and the third overall recall of the vehicle since July. In the other fire-related recall, Ford asked drivers of the Escape with the 1.6-liter engine to not drive their car until a damaged fuel line could be replaced.

Ford has also recalled the Escape to fix carpet padding that could hinder the brake pedal.

By Dale Jewett