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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,761 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vacuum pump failure. No warning, was driving on an exit ramp from our state turnpike at low speed when brake pedal was very hard to press and in turn, creating a very dangerous situation. I had just stopped to pay a toll about 200 yards prior with no problem. The failure of the vacuum pump coupled with Ford unable to provide a replacement from the incident date of June 6th, 2019 until August 28, 2019 can explain that this is not an isolated incident. Ford edge from the same model years have the same exact problem, with Ford extending the vacuum pump warranty to 150,000 miles or 10 years. This expansion of the warranty should also be applied to the Ford Escape. Will it take someone being injured or worse before the nhsta forces Ford to 'fix' the problem across the board with defective vacuum pumps on their watch?
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving, the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed and the engine revved high. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failures. The vehicle was taken to briarwood Ford (7070 E Michigan ave, saline, mi 48176, (734) 429-5478) to be diagnosed, but they were also unable to duplicate the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 68,000.
On a long road trip with family and feel very fortunate this occurred when it did instead of two hours earlier when navigating atlanta traffic as this would have most certainly led to a serious accident. We were driving to coastal Georgia and had about 200 miles left to our journey. Not knowing area we pulled off to get gas to make sure we had enough to reach our destination. At bottom of exit ramp car would not stop. Pressed harder and harder on brakes and eventually stopped. Had this been a busy spot would have been disaster as we coasted through the stop sign and into the road before coming to a stop. It was 11 O'clock at night in in unfamiliar surroundings so I drove rest of the way using ebrake, nerve racking to say the least. No warning just sudden brake failure. When mechanic looked at it said vacuum pump failed. Still waiting to hear if they can fix it, some gear that turned it sheared off into cam. They are going to try to fish it out but, not sure if they'll be able to. Gladi was driving and it didn't happen in different situation where brakes were critical! bad situation!
02/03/2019 I purchased the car 12/31/2018. These things occurred in the vehicle when it was stationary, taking off and excelling, in motion, on a city street and on a highway (interstate), driving straight, turning, braking, and on inclines and down hill. It also involves fuel/propulsion, engine, speed control, suspension, wheels. It started with the dash lighting up with no key in it. Then it started a hard idle almost shutting down the vehicle. Since I had it in last week, there is rattling, popping, grinding sounds with grabbing and pulling under the back of the car. Now it is the traction and intelligence control all wheel warnings and shutting down the control on its own. It stalls in traffic while the computer attempts corrections that fail to correct it. It has slid from one side of an off ramp to the other side, because the traction/all wheel intelligence could not get traction. I could not control the car. Grateful there was no one in the other lane. It is putting my life and everyone around me in serious danger of being killed. I have mentioned some of the issues prior to the last service on it and taken it to (purchased from) jarrett gordon Ford winter haven, fl and (work done at) jarrett scott Ford plant city, fl. I am told they can't diagnosis it unless it is doing this with them. I will be taking it back in tomorrow with all the new issues going on with it. It is seriously dangerous and getting progressively worse. I've already had the oil changed, transmission fluid drained and refilled, fuel induction, injector serviced (it did not help with fuel consumption), tune-up, plugs changed (did not help), coolant flush. This needs to be addressed before I die or any others die as a result of this vehicles issues. These liability issues belong to Ford company, not me. All this since I purchased it 12/31/2018 proof of contacting 6 + members of the dealerships.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While reversing at unknown speeds, the gear shifter became stuck in the drive position; however, the vehicle continued to move in reverse. The brake pedal was applied, but failed to stop the vehicle. The emergency brake was engaged to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to san tan Ford (1429 E motorplex loop, gilbert, AZ 85297, (480) 821-3200) where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
2013 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to sudden braking system malfunction. The consumer stated the brake booster and the vacuum pump failed. The brake booster was replaced. The manufacturer was mad aware, but did not offer any assistance. Updated 10/31/2017
Vacuum pump seized up causing the bolt connecting it to the camshaft to shear off and damage the turbo's and engine. This happened while going 70 mph on a freeway. I had to use evasive action to get it off the road.
I am having problems with the braking system a master cylinder was replaced as well as front and rear brakes. Yet when vehicle is off you feel the brakes when you turn on the vehicle you have to put the pedaal to the floor to stop the vehicle I have spent over 600 dollars with this vehicle and have only had it a little over a year. Not happy
I was driving on the expressway and went to use my brakes and without any warning I.e. brake/ABS warning lights my brakes went out. I was able to avoid any collisions with other vehicles by manually down shifting and using my emergency brake. I was able to finally come to a complete stop by utilizing all the above plus use both of my feet to push brakes hard enough to come to a slow stop. I turned the car off waited a few minutes and back on since this vehicle already had serious malfunction at 10,000 miles of randomly stalling without warning due to faulty wire harness which finally got recalled a year later. Turned it back on and still no brakes. Took it to Ford dealer and was advised that the braking system had a lot of debris in it and brake booster, master cylinder and other braking components where at fault. Now the dealer has replaced all the parts but still say it is not working properly and they are waiting for guidance from Ford engineers. This is the same route I had to go down with my wire harness at 10,000. The vehicle has 100,000 mostly highway miles on it and I would not expect for brakes to just go out without any notice or brake system warning lights. As of now still at dealer waiting for engineers to call in with a "fix". I fear for my safety in this vehicle and the brake system/electrical system need to investigated. Who know how many people may have already or are at risk of losing their brakes without warning and it will not show up because no warning sensor/lights are on.
Catastrophic loss of braking at 65 mph on highway without warning. Saturday evening April, 29, 2017 on I-85 southbound while slowing from 65 mph to exit at South hill, va driver (daughter) applied brakes and had no power assist. This produced a pedal that was stiff and her entire body weight had to be used to cause any slowing. The vehicle was stopped using the grade of the ramp and E brake. The vehicle had no warning lights or indications of failure. After towing it home Sunday April 30th it was taken to the dealership. They diagnosed a vacuum pump failure. The vacuum pump being solely responsible for the braking system causes immediate loss of braking on failure. The failure was caused by conditions similar to those present in the belt driven vacuum pump on 2011-2012 Ford F-150 ecoboost. Several days later when the dealership attempted to fix the vacuum pump they found that the failure caused the cam core coupler to shear. This allowed metal shards into the oil which then carried them to the engine and turbo damaging both. The dealership came back with an estimate of $6000 for just the repairs with a new engine, however they informed us that the turbo needed to be replaced as well due to the damage. Workers at the dealership reported that the cost to fix the car far outstripped the residual value. Mileage failure was 60,921. Due to the 921 miles Ford has thus far refused to consider any reconciliation. After extensive research we have found that this failure is common among ecoboost engines and may be more prevalent than immediately evident. A braking failure of this magnitude could easily cause serious injuries or fatalities. In the case of most wrecks involving privately owned vehicles thorough investigation of cause is uncommon. If the occupants were unable to recall or communicate the cause of the wreck due to injury or death it would go unreported.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 70 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed without warning. The contact was able to slow the vehicle down with the emergency brake and downshifting by manually shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the core coupler in the camshaft, which operated the brake booster, fractured inside the camshaft. As a result, the power assist feature in the braking system disengaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,789.
I was driving out of a mountainous road and all of a sudden, no warning lights, no check engine lights, nothing, the power brakes went. I was able to stop by using the hydraulic system with both feet tromping down on the brake pedal. I have taken my car to the Ford dealer and they said that it was the vacuum power assist contraption that was defective. I haven't gotten my car back (9 days now) because they are saying that the engine does not function properly now and that is isn't the 'fault' of the vacuum power assist device malfunctioning.
Driving @ 70mph, get ready to make a turn by slowing down. Push on the brake to stop and there is no power assist. Overshoot corner and finally stop approximately 100 feet past where I needed to turn. Driving on rural roads is the only reason I was not in an accident. I still had 20 miles to go to get home. Had it towed to a Ford dealer. They say the vacuum pump has failed. There was no warning or indication of this failure.
Excessive rear brake wear resulting in need for new rotors and pads at less than 20K miles. Owner has complained to dealer at that time and was told system was ok. By 30K miles rear brakes had to be replaced due to severe scoring of rotors and pads worn through. Vehicle is driven safely: Not charging stop signs, backing off for stale green lights, etc. Very little brake usage to slow down in this vehicle. Rear rotors and pads have been replace and it was found that very little to no lube was found on the caliper pins. Fronts have been inspected and are not going to need attention for many more miles. It appears that the balance between stopping between the front and rear brakes may be a design problem. Rear rotor diameter to front rotor diameter is 300mm to 330mm which may be too little swept area versus inadequate front pressure. Front pads will be replaced to establish a new baseline for comparison. Ford was notified via phone and email to little or no satisfaction. I'm surprised that a formerly responsive company has gotten so far behind in customer complaint handling. Checking the web, numerous instances of this type of performance have been found. It is my opinion that a "concern" should be opened immediately. Even my selling dealer is unresponsive, yet Ford personnel could not suggest an alternative dealer nor share dealer ratings with their customer. This vehicle has been plagued by numerous recalls already and there are yet two more to be processed. A lot of good an extended warranty does one! help please.
Ongoing list of recalls some of which do not even work its a dangerous distracting vehicle to drive endless trips to the dealers.this is not a safe and reliable car
On 10-10-2015, our 2013 Ford Escape 4WD started displaying an ABS error code, along with a traction control system error and a "hill start assist not available" error message, simultaneously. The ABS brakes would engage at low travel speed. We took it to the dealer, who determined that a rear wheel sensor had failed. They kept the car for two weeks and returned it on 10-21-2015. It had 24,273 miles on it. Now, 3 weeks later, on 10-16-2015, the very same problem has recurred, with the dash lights displaying for the ABS system failure, the traction control system failure and the "hill start assist not available". the ABS system engages at low speeds causing the brakes to grab, rendering the car unsafe to drive. This car is a 'lemon' in our opinion, as it has had 5 major breakdowns, including a major engine problem at 720 miles, a failure of the air bag controller, two problems with the ABS system, as documented herein, and two recalls related to the engine potentially catching on fire due to a fuel leak (a recall, followed by a recall to fix the recall). I sincerely believe that this vehicle is dangerous and have asked the Ford Motor Company to buy back this vehicle several times, but they have refused to do so. I fear that my wife and I are not safe while driving this car due to the high number of defects on this one particular vehicle. I am reporting this ABS/traction control problem since it has now happened twice, as I believe it likely impacts other Ford Escapes made at the same time, and likely indicates a bad batch of wheel sensors that are failing prematurely in the field. Since the failure of the wheel sensor disables the ABS and tcs systems, this is a dangerous defect, as it can happen completely at random. My wife was 100 miles from home last time and had to drive back with the ABS & tcs not functioning.) this car is "unsafe at any speed"!
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle decreased in speed and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed. The failure occurred intermittently. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on four occasions but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mt Holly Springs, PA, USA