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:
9 / 60
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,186 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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 5 mph, the engine overheated and the vehicle shifted into limp mode. The contact stated that the hot temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to shaker's family Ford Lincoln (831 straits turnpike, watertown, ct 06795) where it was diagnosed with the coolant temperature sensor being unplugged from the coolant tank. The dealer reattached the sensor however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 13V583000 (engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
While driving on the freeway I received a service alert saying "low coolant service now". interestingly my car has always seemed to hate going slightly uphill and I immediately thought it must be related, but I just had my car serviced about a week prior. About 1/4 mile later my car through a red service alert that said engine overheat turn off for safety. I pulled over quickly and my engine was smoking. Steam was coming out of the engine compartment and a lot of antifreeze was dripping out of the bottom. From here I got a tow and need to have the vehicle serviced. Luckily I was a smart driver in thks case and the car did not ignite. While I was pulled over in less than 20 minutes my hazard lights no longer worked because I had no battery and had to jump it in order to roll up the windows when the tow truck finally arrived. I have read other complaints described just like this and believe my car should have a recall for this coolant system issue. I checked all available recalls and NHTSA has not issued a recall yet. In speaking with Ford until NHTSA issues a recall then all Ford owners who experience this issue are on the hook. Please issue the needed recall. I have read that there are 190+ complaints just like mine and these are just the car owners will to file a complaint with this serious matter.
While driving, indicators said low coolant. Checked the level and it was fine. Error keeps showing until suddenly my vehicle stopped while in motion and lost all motor power. Dash illuminated with 'engine overheating' and would not accelerate. Pulled over immediately, removed the key from ignition and checked under the hood. Coolant level was fine. Took to auto body shop, they said codes were showing for low coolant/overheating but they did a pressure test and found coolant leaking inside cylinder, which coincides with the huge engine recall and class action lawsuit. Ford will not assist me with this although they acknowledge it is a problem but 'my VIN isn't on the list'. engine repeating to stall while driving and lose power going from 30mph down to 5 suddenly and without warning in middle of intersection. This is my only vehicle, I'm disabled and Ford co won't help nor will any dealer.
My car has had many issues with coolant leaking, and very strong burning smells, especially when on a hill, idling, or after running for several minutes. Ford previously recalled certain 2013 and 2014 Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.6L engine for a similar issue under recall campaigns 12V551 and 17V209, but even though my car has had this recall "fixed", the issues is not taken care of.
- Mineral, VA, USA
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Unknown - engine coolant leaking. Took ownership of car 08/25/2020. October 2020 low coolant indicator came on. Added coolant to resevoir. April 10, 2021 low coolant indicator came on again. Added coolant to resevoir. April 26,2021 low coolant indicator came on again. Added coolant to resevoir. Coolant loss is becoming more frequent. Can't see where the leak is. Found article on recall of engine coolant leak on 2013 Ford Escape. How do I find out if recall applies to my car?
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while depressing the acceleration pedal, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and battery warning lights illuminated after the vehicle shut-off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the map air pressure sensor was faulty. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to premier Ford (5001 glenwood rd, brooklyn, NY 11234) to be diagnosed. The mechanic indicated that the update for the engines computer system and map air sensor were faulty. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Before having a engine replacement due to circumstances I had issues with the turbocharger overboosting after the engine replacement I still have the turbocharger overboosting. On top of the anti-lock brake system brake pedal miss message lost communication with tcm and lost communication with the ECM
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while slowing down to stop at the red light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after a moment the vehicle regained normal function. The contact stated that the failure was experienced several times. The contact was not aware of any warning lights before, during, or after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to tracy Ford (3500 auto plaza way, tracy, ca 95304, (855)227-1279) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the voltage of the battery was very low. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code. An independent mechanic also performed a diagnostic but did not retrieve a trouble code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The contact emailed the NHTSA investigator 04/23/21, informing NHTSA that when he went to retrieve the vehicle from tracy Ford on 4/22/21, tracy Ford now had a diagnostic trouble code (regarding the transmission), and that they would repair the transmission under the vehicles existing third party extended warranty (purchased at the time of the purchase of the vehicle from tracy Ford). Contact stated he would follow up with NHTSA to inform if said repairs actually fix the stalling problem. As of 05-06-2021, repairs are not yet completed, and vehicle is still at tracy Ford undergoing a full transmission replacement.
The contact own S a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle would leak coolant without warning specifically during the winter. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling) which he linked to the failure. The contact read that the coolant leak could potentially lead to an engine fire. The contact had not yet to taken the vehicle to be serviced or diagnosed for the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
When I drive my 2013 Ford Escape on interstate, uphill, or at fast speeds, it feels like it holds back. I don't know if this is due to the eco boost engine or what. But it does not run smooth and clean. There's a hold back and U can constantly feel it. It doesn't roll smooth.
Was on highway accelerating to approx 60 mph and the car suddenly lost power. Rpms redlined and then dropped back. Engine fault, service engine immediately was shown on display and car went into limp mode. I was barely able to make it safely off highway and to repair shop. Repair shop is not able to find a code and car is unsafe to drive myself and my children around in.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle was consuming coolant very quickly. The contact stated that the coolant level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rodman Ford sales Inc (45 Washington St, foxborough, MA 02035) where it was diagnosed with the head gasket needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 99,737.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled without warning. After the vehicle stalled, the contact pushed the vehicle onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to perkins Chevrolet Buick GMC (22 East frist St la-junta co 81050, (719) 384-4401 where it was diagnosed with a depleted battery and a faulty starter. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Driving back home late at night on a busy freeway a mom and 2 kids by them self my car "overheat pull over safely warning came on" so I started to get over light then the went off weird so I turned the heater on it was working I still proceeded to pull off then cold air started blowing I got off pulled into gas station car died. Let it cool down popped hood no coolant after it was cool I added coolant it just poured out on to ground. Checked around checked for loose or missing hoses it looked fine, I saw behind engine you could see were oil had B leaked cause there was oil back there and coolant on top of the oil. Now car won't start had to get it towed. I believe it's a blown head gasket I always check my fluids and I know it should of been fine I checked it 3 days before that night. Now I have no car no warranties just bought it 5 months ago
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off as the engine service fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to palm coast Ford (1150 palm coast pkwy sw, palm coast, fl 32137) where they were unable to replicate or determine the cause of the failure. The contact was then informed that the failure could possibly be related to the computer system and the contact had the computer system replaced. A month later, the contact stated that while her daughter was driving 30 mph, the vehicle shut-off with several warning lights on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer where it remained. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The car suddenly stalls while driving. Has happened about once a week for the past 2 months. No engine codes have appeared and none were detected when I took car to auto repair shop shortly after an event. Has happened shortly after initially starting vehicle.
My 2013 Ford Escape just hit 100,000 miles. The car started stalling out when excelerating. I took it to the local Ford dealership, they could not find any codes when analyzing it. They replaced points & plugs. Dealership indicated they have never heard of the engine stalling; thank goodness it happened to the service when he test drove it. I came home and researched stalling 2013 Escapes, was surprised to see all the problems; not sure what sites Ford uses for research. When I went to pick the vehicle up after paying my $400 bill, I never made it out of the parking lot, it stalled out again. So the Escape is still sitting St the dealership.
My vehicle stalls/ loss of power while driving on the highway and residential roads, , stalls / loss of power while at low RPM or coming to a standstill, I have almost been hit by other cars several times because of this problem, I took my vehicle to Napa Ford and they said they could not repeat the issue, Napa Ford told me it was probably an issue with my battery so we replaced the battery with a new one, this has not fixed the problem with stalling/ loss of power!
When driving the vehicle the vehicle will just shut off. Driving down the street at 55 the vehicle just shuts off almost causing a real bad accident. I have had this car for roughly a year and a couple months and the vehicle has stalled at least a minimum of 50 times. I have taken the car into a shop to get diagnosed and no-one can figure out the issue. My 17 year drives this vehicle and if this is unsafe to drive. I seen the numerous complaints about this same issue on my Ford Escape 2013. This vehicle has never stalled just sitting still always stalled while moving forward between the speeds of 20-65
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Marksville, LA, USA