CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Ford Escape has been in the news quite a bit and for all the wrong reasons. Within a few months of its release the SUV was recalled three times, twice because of engine fires.
In July 2012, due to a fuel line that could split and leak, Ford told owners to park their cars because even driving to the dealership for repairs was deemed too dangerous. Instead, in a somewhat unprecedented move, Ford sent tow trucks to pick up the affected vehicles and handed out rental cars while the owners waited for repairs.
A few months later the Escape was recalled again because antifreeze could leak out onto the engine due to a freeze plug becoming dislodged. As the coolant hit the hot engine there was, once again, a threat for fire.
The 2013 is the first model year of the Escape's 3rd generation and proves once again that you want to avoid the first model year when at all possible.
AC failed. Dealer put a dye in the system and it was discovered the AC core is shot. Very disappointing to say the least. Thank goodness I have the extended warranty to cover the $2500 cdn cost. My loyalty to Ford is really wearing thin after 35 years of continuous Ford ownership.
I started my car in December and I heard a loud noise and found a large gear laying on the ground under my car. Took it to Ford Auto Dealer they quoted up to $8,000 to fix the AC because they could not quote me a number they knew would fix it. It cost 150.00 to find this out. I have not fixed it yet, not going to pay over 1,000 to fix AC.
less then a year after purchase the a/c would not blow thru the vents, it was coming out on the floor position only. although covered under warranty at the time it decided to do this in the beginning of a Phoenix Arizona summer.
I have had the car in to the dealer two times to get the problem fixed. They replaced the filter once. But the second time I took it in, after additional occurrences, they said they did not have a fix for it, but Ford was aware of the problem.
- Marshall H.,
Cambria, CA, US
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The AC not working on the hottest day so far this year, not surprised that it malfunctioned already. This will be my 3rd trip back for warranty repairs not including the 3 trips for factory recall repairs. The car is great, but if this continues I will never recommend a Ford to anyone. FORD.... Found On Road Dead!!!
"Recirculation" does not work on the car's heater system. This means that all winter I had to always heat fresh air. It gets into the teens in New England. I told the dealership about it, and they didn't even bother checking it out. When I push in the button to recirculate the heat, it does not stay on for more than a minute.
when changing from heat to cool, the temperature doesn't change. nearly froze this winter. took it back to dealer and it worked perfectly. worked well all summer. This fall, changed to defroster on morning drive, but was 95 in the afternoon. It wouldn't change back to cool. Got mad and started spinning the temp switch back and forth, heard a low popping/swishing sound under the dash. (sounded like a coke bottle when the lid is unscrewed, but lower sound). The temp started working! FORD garage can't fix it, without it acting up for them. I work an hour from the garage and they want it to stay fouled up until I can get it there. If I could do that, I would fix it too.
Electric windows-- replaced motor on passenger window because it quit in the down position on the same day the heater stuck on cold. The new window motor barely creeps up if try rolling both windows up or down at the same time. Can't roll back windows down if going more than 35 mph due to buffeting. feels like it is going to pop the eardrums.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
AC failed. Dealer put a dye in the system and it was discovered the AC core is shot. Very disappointing to say the least. Thank goodness I have the extended warranty to cover the $2500 cdn cost. My loyalty to Ford is really wearing thin after 35 years of continuous Ford ownership.
- Larry W., Ottawa, ON, Canada