Fewer than 5,000 model year 2013 Ford Escape SUVs have been delivered to customers so far, including one to our colleagues over at Consumer Reports Cars for testing. But Ford has already announced a recall of the vehicles, ordering dealers to stop selling and offering test drives on the 1.6 liter engine base model. Ford has also asked Escape owners to stop driving their vehicles immediately. Why? The engine compartment fuel line might split and leak. If the engine is started or already running when a leak occurs, the vehicle could catch fire.

Owners need to arrange to have their vehicles transported to a Ford dealer for repair, and will be provided with a loaner if they need one.

If you’re an Escape owner or have questions about the recall, contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236, or click to visit their respective websites.

Ford recalls 2013 Escape SUVs due to fuel leak risk, stop sale issued [Consumer Reports]

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