Cup (freeze) plug dislodging
Defect Summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from october 5, 2011, through august 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6l engines. the cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Safety Consequence
As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Corrective Action
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. the safety recall began on september 11, 2012. owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving N/A.
FAQ: Recall 12V431000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 12V431000?
NHTSA recall 12V431000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on September 4, 2012. It addresses: Cup (freeze) plug dislodging. The recall affects approximately 6,146 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 12V431000 or the manufacturer campaign number 12S39. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.