There are no crashes or injuries attributed to the problem, Ford said. It did not specify how many of each vehicle are covered by the recall.

It is the 11th recall for the 2013 Escape. The compact crossover, one of Ford's best-selling U.S. models, was redesigned for the 2013 model year.

Ford said wiring harnesses on vehicles with 2.0-liter engines could have poor electrical connections that could affect the powertrain control module. Dealers will fix the cars for free.

About 133,000 of the cars are in the United States, and the rest in Canada and Mexico.

(Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by Dan Grebler)