(November 27, 2013) Ford said Tuesday it is issuing two new recalls for fire risks in some 2013 Ford Escape SUVs, after it received new reports of engine fires. The recalls are the latest setback for the vehicle that now has had seven separate recalls — including five for fires — and have twice forced the automaker to warn drivers to either stop driving them or get alternative transportation.

The company said those precautions aren’t necessary with the latest recalls, according to the Detroit News.

They bring the total number of recalls of the 2013 Escape to seven, five of which involve fire risks on models equipped with a 1.6-liter engine. One of the new recalls is to inspect repairs done to 11,821 vehicles as part of a previous campaign, after Ford discovered that service technicians installed some fuel lines incorrectly.

The recall involves nearly 140,000 2013 Escape SUVs with 1.6-liter engines in the United States — and 161,333 worldwide — because of fires caused by overheating of the engine cylinder head, which can crack and leak oil. Ford said it had received reports of 13 fires, including one in Canada, stemming from the engine issue.

At least 12 other fires were reported in 2012 that were connected with a November 2012 Escape recall for coolant fluid leaks caused by overheating.

No injuries have been reported. In total, about 30 fires have been reported in North America in connection with the recalls, including a few that happened before the vehicles made it to customers.

Ford said Tuesday it is issuing a second recall to cover 9,469 model year 2013 Escapes in the U.S. — and 11,821 worldwide — that will need to be inspected in order to prevent a fuel leak that could also result in an engine compartment fire. No fires have been reported.

Owners will be notified by late January to take the SUVs to a dealer to have fixes made to the engine shielding, cooling and control systems.

Sources: Detroit News, Automotive News