Print this page

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:
10 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,228 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.

2013 Ford Escape drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #333

Nov 162022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission went out while driving on freeway, it happened after only 2 months from buying the car for $7000 and it cost me $4000 to repair.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #332

Sep 222022

Escape

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. Additionally, the gear shifter was stuck, and the contact's husband was unable to change gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband veered to the right lane and the vehicle stopped independently after several yards. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled forward while parked. The contact's husband restarted the vehicle and drove to the nearby residence. However, upon driving the vehicle to the dealer the following day, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) was completed; however, the failure reoccurred the same day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to another dealer for second opinion. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #331

Jan 232023

Escape

  • 125,365 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not restarted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after an unknown recall repair was performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,365.

- Mineral City, OH, USA

problem #330

Jan 212023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The PTU is leaking and it needs to be replaced ASAP. It-€™s a 2013 with less than 60k miles.

- Boyertown , PA, USA

problem #329

Nov 152022

Escape

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The transmission temperature warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

- Summerville, GA, USA

problem #328

Aug 152022

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #327

Jul 092022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In early July, while driving to work, the transmission suddenly shifted out of Drive and into neutral. I pulled over and shifted into park. After checking under the hood, I attempted to put the car into Drive and it wouldn't shift and grinding noises were heard. I called for a tow truck and took the car home. After checking NHTSA website, came across the transmission bushing recall. I just towed my car today to a dealer to have the recall worked on and they said I needed a new transmission. They refused to admit the transmission bushing had anything to do with the transmission not working.

- Waianae, HI, USA

problem #326

Dec 082017

Escape

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The coolant detector would not accurately detect the coolant level. The coolant reservoir needed to be refilled weekly. The ABS warning system would chime and illuminate whenever the vehicle was started, and the vehicle would fail to move. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle several times, the ABS warning light turned off and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping out of the park(P) into drive(D). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the wheel hub bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the wheel hub bearings were replaced four times and the front axles were replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #325

Jun 282022

Escape

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on separate occasions while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that while he was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact then stated that he was able to turn off and restart the vehicle. The service transmission light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission shop where it was diagnosed that the fluid was darker than normal and needed to be flushed and refilled. The transmission fluid was flushed and refilled. The vehicle was then taken to another transmission shop where it was diagnosed that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that vehicles were not being taken in until parts were available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #324

Apr 012022

Escape

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that oil was leaking and that the transmission needed to be serviced. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #323

Nov 112022

Escape

  • 105,817 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the transmission fault service warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred. The dealer suggested that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 105,817.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #322

May 172022

Escape

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken for an oil change; however, afterwards the failure persisted. On another occasion, the vehicle failed to accelerate or shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic stated that no failure was found. The contact was referred to the dealer for a computer software update. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no recall for the computer software. The mechanic confirmed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #321

Oct 282022

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle overtime leaks small drops of coolant and I noticed the coolant levels we-€™re dropping on passenger side of hood. Car does not smoke or have any weird smells but has started leaks. Engine might have to be replaced if cracks are found. Engine failure due to no fault of my own, same issue as other FORD owners but FORD does nothing to help us, -€œ Built Tough-€ more like -€œ Built like sh*t -€œ I love my car but this is not fair and FORD should make it right

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #320

Sep 112022

Escape

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle only responded while driving 75 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving uphill. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Barton, VT, USA

problem #319

Jul 202022

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #318

Sep 062022

Escape

  • 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an unstated recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The transmission warning light was flashing. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #317

Oct 142022

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Taylorsville, UT, USA

problem #316

Jul 072022

Escape

  • miles
Going 70 mph on the interstate and the transmission filter clogged causing the vehicle to be unable to drive. Under further investigation The transmission chain cover that is made of plastic was chewed up by the transmission and caused the transmission filter to clog making it unable to move causing unsafe conditions. There where no warning lamps prior to catastrophic failure.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #315

Oct 042022

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The mechanic advised the contact to tow the vehicle to a local dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #314

Jun 012022

Escape

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked in the driveway and attempting to shift from park(P) to reverse(R), the gear shifter remained stuck in park(P). The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Irmo, SC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?