Ford recalls new Escape SUVs for engine compartment fire risk

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 11,500 new Escape sport-utility vehicles in North America because of a risk of engine fires.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, said today in a statement posted on its website that it is recalling model year 2013 Escapes with 1.6-liter engines because engine compartment fuel lines can split and leak fuel, causing fires under the hood.

“Our intensive investigation and testing has identified the area of concern and we are moving as quickly as possible to repair vehicles for our customers,” Ray Nevi, assistant director of Ford’s automotive safety office, said in the statement. “In the meantime, it is extremely important that affected customers not ignore this recall and immediately contact their dealer.”

No injuries have been reported from the defect, the company said. The recall doesn’t apply to Escapes with other engines. Most of the vehicles in the recall were produced for sale in the U.S., Ford said.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on July 17 announced it was opening an investigation of about 730,000 older Escapes after receiving 99 complaints about unintended acceleration.