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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

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2013 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 18)

problem #353

Jun 212021

Escape

  • miles

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

I HAVE A 2013 Ford Escape THAT HAS HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO ITS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED AND WITH NO WARNING FAILURE. 6000 AT FORD DEALERSHIP. THEN THE PROBLEMS WITH COOLANT STARTED. IT WOULD SUDDENLY START OVERHEATING, AND START STALLING. DROPPED DOWN TO TWO MILE AND HOUR TILL YOU LIMP OFF THE ROAD. HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CHECK IT. WILL BE FINE AND THEN SUDDENLY START LEAKING AGAIN. REPLACED COOLANT CAP, COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK, NEW HOSE FOR COOLANT TANK, COOLANT HOSE THAT INSERTS INTO REAR OF ENGINE, STAND PIPE AND BYPASS VALVE.

- Mountain Home, AR, USA

problem #352

Aug 122022

Escape

  • miles
While driving vehicle it would start shuttering. Took it to dealer who stated the transmission was bad. Vehicle had 91000 miles on it. I asked why the transmission was not serviceable and was told it was a sealed unit. The repair cost $8900 for new transmission. Took 3 weeks to get it repaired. Asked several times when in for oil change to service the transmission, each time I was told it was a sealed unit and couldn-??t be serviced. Had it been able to be serviced I don-??t think the problem would have been as bad to have to have transmission replaced.

- Brewerton, NY, USA

problem #351

Nov 152023

Escape

  • miles
The transmission will sometimes fail to engage immediately after putting the vehicle in drive or reverse. If the driver steps on the gas pedal, the transmission jerks violently to engage. Also while driving, the transmission will have a slight slipping before allowing acceleration. No OBD codes appear and no dashboard warning messages appear. In addition to the transmission problem, I obtained a P0234 and P0299 OBD code. This code is for the turbocharger overboost solenoid, which I had replaced, but the code has returned.

- Colfax , LA, USA

problem #350

Oct 152022

Escape

  • miles

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

At 87,000 miles the transmission went completely out. At 87,000 miles there has been a constant coolant leak. Despite changing hoses, and reservoir

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #349

Apr 072023

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with premature transmission failure. The dealer notified the manufacturer, who declined to cover the cost of the repair. The contact followed up with the manufacturer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Maysville, GA, USA

problem #348

Oct 232023

Escape

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking lot at 10 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear. The RPMs increased but the vehicle remained in first gear. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #347

Aug 052023

Escape

  • 138,000 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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she stopped at a local store, and when she re-entered the vehicle, the gear shifter was inoperable and failed to shift to the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #346

Jul 262023

Escape

  • 62,297 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and shifting into drive (D), the gear shifter moved to sport (S) unintendedly. The contact stated that at second attempt to shift into drive (D), the gear shifter moved to park (P) unintendedly, and the gear shift indicator displayed that the transmission was in neutral (N). The contact engaged the electronic parking brake to park the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she then watched a video online, where she was informed to lift the gear shifter cover panel and to move a switch, so the gear shifter could respond as needed. The contact followed the instructions with assistance, and was able to drive to the residence, where she shifted into neutral (N) and engaged the electronic parking brake to park the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 62,297.

- Barrigada, GU, USA

problem #345

Jul 112023

Escape

  • 76,236 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to another dealer for a second opinion. The vehicle was towed to Asheboro Ford, Inc. (1602 E Dixie Dr, Asheboro, NC 27203) who provided the same result. Additionally, the second dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 76,236.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #344

May 262023

Escape

  • miles
Escape was overheating and coolant leaking onto engine and transmission. Repaired coolant line. Oil leaking. Transmission codes showing all over. Need transmission. Dealership and other mechanics not understanding why my 2013 isn-??t part of the recall. I can-??t afford a transmission.

- Altoona , PA, USA

problem #343

Jun 012023

Escape

  • miles

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

This 2000 Ford escape only has 23,111 miles on it. The transmission is whining like crazy and sometimes slips. I feel it is a faulty transmission and should be replaced with such low mileage. I cannot afford to pay for this, so it Hass to be under a recall.

- Dover, PA, USA

problem #342

May 092023

Escape

  • miles
Transmission gave out twice while driving, causing the car to stop in an unsafe area. (in 2022) Gasket issue again causing he car to overheat, driving, car felt like it was going to explode, had it towed and they now say car needs a new engine. I have spent 15,000 to fix this car in the last two years something is seriously wrong with the quality of this car. Ford needs to stand behind their vehicles better, their recalls need to be for all the cars built in this timeframe not just certain vins, it's apparent it is pertaining to my VIN number even though Ford is telling me it's not.

- Merrimack, NH, USA

problem #341

May 212023

Escape

  • 124,469 miles
I have had 3 unidentified coolant leaks of unknown origin. SUV is losing coolant. After driving approximately 120 miles the car is losing coolant. Mechanic could not find. Transmission had to be re[laced at 100k miles Also, the low tire light stays on when correct pounds are in the car.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #340

Feb 012021

Escape

  • 139,320 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and the transmission was slipping. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and stated that multiple attempts were needed in order for the vehicle to restart. The check engine and transmission failure warning lights and messages were illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,320.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #339

Feb 012023

Escape

  • miles
2019: cooling temperature sensor failed. Brought to ford dealership and paid $5000 for new computer and sensors. 2023: radiator overheated with no warning and messed up engine. Now radiator won-??t hold fluid and continues to get over heat warning. Brought to Ford dealer and they said the engine needs replaced now. Same issues are reported all over the form forums with these similar issues.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #338

May 142023

Escape

  • miles
The shift gear got stuck. It appeared to be in park while it was not in park. So the shift gear was stuck in park while the car was in Standard mode and it moved when I lifted my foot off the breaks. This put me and my friend at risk as we were stuck on the road trying to shift gear to -??Drive-?? but it wouldn-??t. Also we couldn-??t stop the car. During that time the engine light and the battery lights were on. It seems that Ford dealerships have recalled millions of cars in 2022 for the same problem. Why was my car not recalled and fixed? This has placed my life and my friends life who was with me in danger.

- Knoxville , TN, USA

problem #337

Apr 252023

Escape

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a railroad stop, she depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that after several attempts, the vehicle accelerated at a slow speed. The contact pulled into the parking lot of a transmission shop and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was inspected by a technician and the contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that prior to the failure, upon taking the vehicle for an oil change, she was informed by the technician that there was a leak in the transmission and that transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

- Gering, NE, USA

problem #336

Aug 012022

Escape

  • miles
Long Block replacement due to design flaw with 1.6L eccoboost engine. Engine failure occurred at 59,000, despite having every safety recall addressed and regular servicing by Ford. The design flaw, as I have leaned is due to a channel carved into the block between the cylinders. The resultant notch in the head gasket, reduced the gasket surface contact. This engine has a history of overheating, subsequent gasket failure, cracked engine blocks and ultimately Ir-reparable cylinder wall scoring. Because the car is no longer under warranty, Ford has refused to cover any part of the replacement cost. This issue has occurred with many hundreds of eccoboost engines--all related to the early defective design in Escape models 2010 - 2021. It took six months for Ford to deliver the new long block. The repair and associated costs to rent a vehicle, prior to the dealer making a loaner car available exceeds $10,000. With so many fatal failures over the entire line of eccoboost engines and several class action lawsuits for this very issue, this should have been a recall.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #335

Mar 302023

Escape

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond while the gear shifter was shifted to drive (D). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under an Extended Warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

problem #334

Mar 202023

Escape

  • 64,900 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while at a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occured on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local PepBoys, where the failure could not be duplicated. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,900.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

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