Recall 17V209 covers 208,584 2013-2015 Ford Fusion, Escape, Fiesta, and Transit Connect vehicles with engine overheating fire risk. Free Ford dealer repair.
Ford is recalling 208,584 2013-2015 Fusion, Escape, Fiesta, and Transit Connect vehicles with 1.6L GTDI engines because low coolant can overheat the cylinder head, crack it, and leak oil. If that oil reaches hot engine or exhaust parts, the risk of fire increases; the Ford dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The 1.6L GTDI engine in affected 2013-2015 Ford Fusion, Escape, Fiesta, and Transit Connect vehicles depends on coolant to carry heat away from the cylinder head. The cylinder head sits at the top of the engine and helps seal the combustion chambers, route coolant, and support the valves. When the cooling system is full, coolant absorbs engine heat and moves it to the radiator.
The problem starts when the vehicle is started and driven with too little coolant in the engine cooling system. With the coolant level low, heat is not carried away fast enough, and the cylinder head overheats. Once overheated, the cylinder head can crack and leak oil, which turns an engine cooling problem into an oil leak and engine damage concern.
Owners can see warning signs before the failure. Watch for a visible coolant leak, an engine overheat warning in the instrument cluster, repeated coolant refills, or a low level in the coolant bottle.
Who's affected?
Four Ford nameplates span the 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years, all tied to the engine system.
| 2014 Ford Fusion | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Fusion | Engine |
| 2014 Ford Escape | Engine |
| 2014 Ford Fiesta | Engine |
| 2013 Ford Transit Connect | Engine |
| 2014 Ford Transit Connect | Engine |
| 2015 Ford Transit Connect | Engine |
| 2015 Ford Fiesta | Engine |
| Units affected | 208,584 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Oil leaking from a cracked cylinder head can reach a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire. Watch for a visible coolant leak, an engine overheat warning message, repeated coolant refills, or a low coolant bottle. Stop and call a Ford dealer if the engine overheats or coolant drops again. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Ford Fusion, Escape, Fiesta, or Transit Connect is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the current repair status before scheduling service.
- Ask about the coolant-level-sensor hardware and software repair that helps flag low coolant before engine overheating leads to an oil leak and fire risk.
- Reference recall number 17V209 when you call, and bring the Ford owner notice if you have it.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about timing or dealer handling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician will install a coolant level sensor, supporting hardware, and software so the vehicle can warn the driver about low engine coolant. The final dealer repair will be free once available; Ford's filing says interim notices were mailed April 21, 2017, and the recall began January 5, 2018. Ford's reimbursement plan covers owner-paid recall remedies before notification, with eligibility ending May 8, 2017. Keep any prior repair paperwork for Ford customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 27, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 28, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 28, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 18, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 18, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 5, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V209?
Recall 17V209 covers 208,584 2013-2015 Ford Fusion, Escape, Fiesta, and Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. Low coolant can overheat the cylinder head, crack it, and leak oil onto hot engine or exhaust parts, raising fire risk.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Ford Fusion, Escape, Fiesta, or Transit Connect is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V209. If it is, call a franchised Ford dealer and reference Ford recall number 17S09. Ford dealers install a coolant level sensor, supporting hardware, and software free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers install the coolant level sensor, supporting hardware, and software free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the vehicle is driven with too little coolant, the cylinder head can overheat, crack, and leak oil. That oil can contact a hot engine or exhaust component.
When did Ford notify owners about recall 17V209?
Ford mailed interim owner notices on April 21, 2017, and the recall began on January 5, 2018. If you own one of these vehicles now, use the VIN to confirm recall status before scheduling service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V209000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V209 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V209000 |
Source documents
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Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →