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.
I have the tow package and with that I should be able to tow 3500 lbs. I recently bough a travel trailer at 2900 lbs based on the 3500 limit. I now find out that the 2013 Ford escape CANNOT accept a brake controller due to electrical problems associated with the brake controller! It can only tow 1500 lbs or less. I have reported this to Ford corporate on case CAS2247043. I have not found anyone else that has tried to install a brake controller on a 2013 Ford escape with tow package yet.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have the tow package and with that I should be able to tow 3500 lbs. I recently bough a travel trailer at 2900 lbs based on the 3500 limit. I now find out that the 2013 Ford escape CANNOT accept a brake controller due to electrical problems associated with the brake controller! It can only tow 1500 lbs or less. I have reported this to Ford corporate on case CAS2247043. I have not found anyone else that has tried to install a brake controller on a 2013 Ford escape with tow package yet.
- James M., Medina, OH, US