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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:
1 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,753 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2013 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 4 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #174

Nov 042020

Escape

  • 72,000 miles

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

My SUV has suddenly loss acceleration when pulling out from a parking space, stop sign and out of a restaurant parking lot onto the highway. It will sputter like it's not getting gas and two times has completely cut off while still in drive. I have smashed the gas pedal to the floor to no avail nothing happened. The SUV didn't speed up nor start to even move fast. It would slowly jerk onto the road, and as I said twice has cut off another time it did finally get gas and go. I took it back to the dealership, but no codes showed up on the machine that anything was wrong with the SUV. There is definitely something wrong with it, besides me being nervous to pull out into traffic without getting hit because the SUV won't accelerate down the road. It has also cut off while sitting in my driveway idle. It does start to shimmer/shake like it's not idled high enough and then it just cuts off.

- Bridgeville, DE, USA

problem #173

Oct 022020

Escape

  • 94,000 miles
I have had my car for a few years now and bought used from a dealership scott Ford. My car had low miles and it was in my budget, plus good on gas and from what I was told farley safe. This car has given me so many problems since purchasing it and has left me out of hundreds of dollars. My latest issue is a huge one and I believe that there should be a recall on this car after doing my research as so many other people have sadly had to deal with the same issue. I pick my young children up from a carline at their school, and one day when I was there my car started to rev up slightly then it stalled on me completely. I was able to get it started the second time with slight hesitation on the engines part. Long story short my car stalled on me a total of 5 times. The third time I was able to drive away from car line and parked across 3 parking spaces as it stalled on me again. I popped my hood and my engine seemed to be extremely hot, then I sat there with my 2 young children, thankfully on a decently nice day outside for a half hour. I was able to start it again and went to leave to head home, and just as I was about to get into the turning lane it stalled right across on coming traffic. I had to roll my windo down and motion people to stop as I frantically tried to start my car again. After 2 tries I was able to start it and went into reverse and parked in the schools parking lot, since this incident my car has stalled a total of 11 times, and just again once this afternoon when I was leaving the grocery store reversing out of my parking spot. I feel this is extremely unfair because I am still like so many people making payments on this vehicle. I shouldn't have to worry about my children's safety and others because my vehicle is a pos. I am very upset by this I paid good money for this vehicle and all the dealership will do is charge me outrageously and not care

- Davisburg, MI, USA

problem #172

Sep 302020

Escape

  • 98,000 miles
Car will intermittently stall, generally after starting. Regardless of giving it gas (pedal to the floor), it stalls. I have had both the fuel pressure sensor and high pressure fuel pump replaced twice (each), and yet the problem still exists. Local mechanic had no idea what could be causing it.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #171

Sep 152020

Escape

  • 178,000 miles

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

Notice other Escapes had the same issue as mine when I started googling symptoms my car was having. I heard a humming noise coming from the fuel tank the actual capless intake cover rattles very loudly and continuously until the vehicle is turned off. When gas would get pumped into the car it wouldn't start right away and when it does it idles hard and runs rough along with black smoke coming out of the pipes with an old dead like gas smell.... I researched and decided to have a diagnosis done which told me it was the canister purge valve I watched videos where the narrator would have the issue solved but even after I got that worked on the vehicle continued to make the humming noise also continued to drive rough... there has been only one situation where my car actually stalled while in drive and in motion. Literally I was turning a corner using my brake after completing the turn I pressed the gas to continue driving and all lights on my dash came on and the vehicle came to a complete stop. It started right back up but I didn't understand what made it cut off...

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #170

May 292020

Escape

  • 115,000 miles
I will be driving down the road and all of a sudden the car goes into limp mode. The rpms go way down and no matter how much I press the gas, I can not get car to go. I've had it to the garage several times. They have replaced air coolant parts, air filter, and several other things. Car continues to go into limp mode. No warning lights come on. Ford dealership I talked with says there are no recalls on such a thing. They did offer to do a diagnostic test, but why" nothing came up on diagnostics test with other garage. Ford company- this is extremely dangerous!! I almost got rear ended by a semi as the car did this while I was driving down the highway. Maybe the antifreeze leaking, this limp mode, and others having their cars stall completely is all one problem?" I'm hoping you can help with this problem! at least tell us how to fix it before we need a new engine, which it sound like that is what others have had to do.

- Kent City, MI, USA

problem #169

Aug 302020

Escape

  • miles
Replace purge valve eco boost engine code # P1450. This should be a recall since it is a safety/emissions issue and should not fail. This is in for repeat recall for faulty door latch.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #168

Sep 092020

Escape

  • 109,000 miles

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

All the symptoms outlined in a previous recall #14S17-S1 displayed by vehicle. Loss of power, poor acceleration, sputtering and stalling at speed. Contacted Ford and they say the work was completed on this vehicle on 2/27/14. Recall wasn't active till 1/3/2016. Took to a mechanic and they said work still needs to be done. Contacted Ford dealership in area and was told the recall had expired and they won't do the work. Just purchased this vehicle 3 months ago. 1 prior owner. 1 service center used to service vehicle. Car is unsafe to drive. Obviously Ford solution to the issues was only temporary or work was not done properly as it has failed again.

- South Portland, ME, USA

problem #167

Aug 312020

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
After re-fueling car electrical system flickers on and off, stalls and sputters.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #166

Aug 312020

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
Rear passenger door latch failure (recall); front driver wheel bearing failure wheel locked up while driving (2X) reverse camera image, sputtering, stalling, electrical failure after re-fueling ecoboost engine

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #165

Aug 122020

Escape

  • 42,304 miles
Strong smell of gas outside and inside car...brought to local repair facility the fuel pipe had to be replaced at a cost of $170 I there was a previous recall for 2013 Ford Escape but this vehicle was not included in recall this warrants further investigation

- Newton, MA, USA

problem #164

Aug 032020

Escape

  • miles

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

I have had many issues with my 2013 Ford Escape and it seems everything that keeps happening is a recall but for some reason never applies to my vehicle. My Ford stalled for the first time a few months ago. I was at an event that I made it to with no issues. It sat in the parking lot for about 45 minutes. When I tried to leave, it wouldn't turn on. I sat in the vehicle for about 10 minutes until it finally started and was able to drive away. Ever since this, it has been stalling every once in a while. Sometimes it will start and I can drive a few yards away before it stalls and I am forced to turn the key off and try again. It would do this a few times then I would be able to drive again. Another issue I've had is sometimes while I am driving, everything will shut off but the vehicle will keep driving. Everything meaning: Air conditioning, all lights, radio, touch screen.. anything that is on while I'm driving will shut off for around five minutes or so. I keep going without touching any of these things, then they will all turn back on, on their own. This happens very rarely. I have taken my Ford in to get these issues looked at. They told me these were recalls, printed the recall paperwork out, and told me to go to a dealership to get it fixed. When I took it in, I was told these issues were indeed recalls for 2013 Ford Escapes but "did not apply to my vehicle" and was sent away. Now, my Ford randomly started leaking gas last week after only just turning it on while sitting in my home driveway (didn't drive anywhere). I looked up "gas leaks in 2013 Ford Escape" and its a recall for 1.6-liter engine, which is what I have but when I put the VIN in the recall website it says "0 unrepaired recalls". why do I keep having the same exact problems that are described in recall details for 2013 Ford Escape but keep getting told its not for my 2013 Ford Escape?

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #163

Nov 202017

Escape

  • miles
I have taken my vehicle in approximately 7 times for the same gas issue and Ford cannot seem to figure out what the issue is. Currently, my car is getting 13 mpg. It has been losing gas like no tomorrow. I'm tired of paying money for every new issue they seem to find with it when I bring it in, but it is never fixed. The original Ford service advisor I had practically laughed in my face when I stated that my car was losing gas as fast as it was. The best part about it, the same guy calls me back when I tell him to just check and says there's an issue. Well nowhere and I mean nowhere in my service records is there an indication that they replaced something to do with the gas that certain time. Last time I went in for the issue that same man has been fired. This has occurred for the past 3 years and I am so tired of paying a ridiculous amount of money for gas when I barely drive anywhere.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #162

Apr 012020

Escape 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle stalls immediately after filling gasoline tank. Requires 3-4 attempts to start, intermittently depressing the gas pedal.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

problem #161

Apr 262020

Escape

  • miles
I purchased my car used in Dec. 2016 with 79,000 miles, and have had consistent problems ever since. In Aug. 2017 (94,888 mileage), I had take the car to the dealership service center because the engine would stall and stop due to high engine temperature - I was consistently adding coolant, probably every few days. The service department found the coolant leak came from the water pump, so they replaced the leaking water pump, as well as the cabin air filter and spark plugs. Then in June 2018, I had a flat tire and couldn't put the spare on because the lug nuts were swollen/warped - took it to the dealership and they had to replace all sets. In Sept. 2018 (113,516 mileage), I was driving home, the engine stopped accelerating, and I knew it was the transmission. I had the car towed to the Ford dealership. They had to "replace the torque converter and completely replace the transmission". they also found the half shaft was leaking, so they "replaced the left hand bushing/seal/half shaft because the shaft was scored". in Jan. 2019, I had taken the car to get serviced because within 1 days time, I had 5 light bulbs blow out and needed replacing. Later in the summer 2019, I was having coolant issues again, and took it to the dealership where they told me the coolant sensor was malfunctioning. I did not have that replaced because I said I would keep an eye on the coolant levels. Now, April 2020, my coolant level's are getting low again, and there is a consistent smell of coolant surrounding the vehicle when engine is on. After driving for 20+ minutes, and coming to an idle stop, the car smells like exhaust and coolant mixed, and there is occasional smoke billows from the exhaust pipes. I have looked under the engine and found oil leaks (pics attached), and believe my car matches the NHTSA campaign id number: 12V551000 even though recalls never show up for my VIN

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #160

Jun 012019

Escape

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 65 to 70 mph, the vehicle shuddered without stalling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Additionally, after refueling, several attempts would be needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to maus Nissan located at (937 S suncoast blvd, homosassa, fl 34448, (352) 628-4300) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced along with a drive belt. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Inverness, FL, USA

problem #159

Mar 242020

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
Vehicle stalls randomly while driving or stationary. After stalling it needs to sit in order to be restarted or else it will start up and stall within a minute. There is no pattern to when it does this, sometimes it goes months and sometimes it happens more than once in a week. The most recent occurrence was on March 24th, 2020 but it has happened many times (over 25 times) over the 2-3 years owning the car.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #158

Mar 122020

Escape

  • 112,885 miles
After starting the car will start to stutter even when pressing the gas and will stall. Sometimes it will start and run fine for a few mins and then when depressing the brake to stop at a light or turn, it will die again after stuttering. It will stutter and die multiple times in the span of a few minutes this is extremely dangerous especially since my area doesn't have public transportation and a car is the only way around. It has been occurring for weeks now with no check engine light and a few days ago, the check engine light came on and when the car was about to die the low oil light would come on. A diagnostic was run and it showed a P0087 error but when the Ford dealership tested it, the issue was a defective fuel rail sensor.

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #157

Mar 012020

Escape

  • miles
Engine randomly shuts off while in motion. Ford surprisingly 'can't' reproduce the problem. It's very dangerous and most of the time leaves us stranded in the middle of the road. A couple times it has left us in the middle of busy intersections. Only 87K miles.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #156

Jan 102020

Escape

  • 44,000 miles
Ford did a diagnostic on it which 2 codes showed but they tested and could not find the issue. So I then took it to the approved service shop. The first time they replaced the PCV valve but when I picked it up the next day, the engine light came back on and was now flashing. The shuddering was now happening while driving 70mph. I took it directly back to the shop where they worked on it for about 3 hours. As it was a Saturday, they asked me to bring it back in on Tuesday when the sr. Tech was there. On that day it was there for another 6 hours. They consulted with their head tech who has been there over 30 years and also with several Ford lead technicians. They replaced the egr valve and asked me to let them know how it was. The next morning I had the same issue. They asked me to bring it back in and they were told by Ford to replace a sensor. Once replaced that did not fix the issue. At that point they decided with Ford to take it to Ford to do another diagnosis. The code shows what they've already fixed. At this point there is not much else they can do. I have a vehicle that can't be fixed and I don't feel safe driving.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #155

Feb 222020

Escape

  • 154,300 miles
Car cuts off/looses power also have to constantly put engine coolant in and change transmission fluid engine will run hot, electrical system issues doors unlock, can not drive over 35mph, fuel system putting gas in car will not start automatically have to pump gas pedal causing unsafe travel

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

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