Recall 13V583 covers 139,917 2013 Ford Escape vehicles with 1.6L engines for oil leaks that can cause fires. Repair is free at franchised Ford dealers.
Ford recall 13V583 covers 139,917 2013 Escape vehicles with 1.6L engines because localized overheating in the cylinder head can crack the head and let engine oil leak. Oil on a hot engine surface can result in an engine compartment fire, and the dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The 2013 Ford Escape with the 1.6L engine uses an engine cylinder head at the top of the engine. The cylinder head helps seal the combustion chambers and manages the movement of air, fuel, exhaust, oil, and coolant around the valves. It has to stay stable under heat because it sits directly above the hottest part of the engine.
In affected Escape vehicles, part of the cylinder head can overheat in a localized area. That heat can crack the metal. Once a crack forms, engine oil can leak from the cylinder head instead of staying inside the lubrication system.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner who sees an oil leak, smells hot oil, or notices engine heat concerns should treat that as a sign the vehicle needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Ford Escape | Engine |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 139,917 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Leaking engine oil can reach a hot engine surface and result in an engine compartment fire. Schedule the recall work soon. If you see oil leaking or smell burning oil, stop the trip and call a Ford dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ford Escape is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask whether recall number 13V583 is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the free engine-shielding, cooling, and control-system modification that helps keep leaking oil away from hot engine surfaces.
- Bring Ford's owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V583 when you call.
- Park the vehicle and contact the dealer if you smell oil, see smoke, or notice signs of an engine compartment fire risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician modifies the engine shielding, cooling system, and control system tied to the 1.6L engine overheating recall. The work addresses localized cylinder head overheating that can crack the head and allow oil to leak. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 13V583. Contact a Ford dealer with your VIN so the service desk can confirm whether the repair is open for your Escape.
Timeline
| November 25, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 9, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V583?
Recall 13V583 covers 139,917 2013 Ford Escape vehicles with 1.6L engines that can develop localized engine cylinder head overheating. Cracks can allow engine oil to leak, and oil on a hot engine surface increases fire risk. Ford dealers modify the engine shielding, cooling, and control systems for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Ford Escape is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Escape is included in recall 13V583. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for recall 13S12 service. The dealer modifies the engine shielding, cooling, and control systems. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling, and control systems free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine compartment fire. Ford's filing says localized engine cylinder head overheating can create cracks that allow oil to leak. If that oil reaches a hot engine surface, the vehicle has an increased fire risk.
What if I bought my Ford Escape used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Escape is included, then reference recall 13V583 or Ford recall 13S12 when you call a Ford dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V583000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V583 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V583000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →