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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving or with the vehicle on an incline, the vehicle was shifted into an intended gear however, the vehicle failed to engage in a timely manner. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts to do the recall repair was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.
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 unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that on numerous occasions, the vehicle was shifted to reverse(R) however, the vehicle instead shifted to drive(D). The contact also stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D), the engine revved and the RPM-€™s increased rapidly but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,744.
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact's daughter 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 gear shifter was unable to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic at the daughter's residence. The mechanic informed the daughter that the transmission shifter cable bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that on two separate occasions while the vehicle was idling, she attempted to accelerate but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable bushing was detached. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to Pueblo Tires & Service where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable bushing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to take the vehicle to be diagnosed and have pictures taken. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Harlingen, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle emitted abnormal sounds and surged continuously upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys who retrieve a code for the check engine warning light. The contact then added additives in the fuel tank and the check engine warning light disappeared. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause of the failure was not yet determined. However, the dealer informed the contact that the failure could be associated with the engine or the transmission. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
On 5/27/22 I was stopped at a red light/intersection and when the light turned green I accelerated only to realize that my car was barely rolling into the intersection only because I was at an incline because my transmission was not moving my vehicle. Since I was now in the middle of the intersection there were cars honking at me, swerving around me, not knowing I was stalled. I couldn't get my car to move by pressing the gas pedal all I could do was raise my hands in the air to let others know I didn't know what was happening. My engine was revving when I pushed the gas pedal but there was no forward motive. My gear shifter was still in Drive and there were no warning lights to alert me of any problems or concerns, even while I'm pressing it frequently and my car is not moving like it should. The next time I pushed the gas my forward motive in the transmission had returned. I wasn't quite sure what happened. I drove (approx.) another 15 miles and came to a 3 way stop and when I accelerated, there again, was no forward motive but the engine was revving when I accelerated. Again, no warning, no warning lights signaling a malfunction with the car but no forward movement by pushing the accelerator. I was coasting into a parking lot and as I pushed the accelerator again. This time the transmission engaged but with a loud noise and a thrust forward of my car, at which time, a check engine light finally came on. I had to have the car towed and transmission replaced.
We have had massive probelms with the 2013 Ford Escape. We have had to have engine repairs done due to it jumping time, replaced the turbo, we have gotten really poor gad mileage and have to have transmission rebuilt. we continually since purchase expereinced nothing but probelms. we get messages stating 4wd unavailble, hill start assist not engaged. and so much more. this has been the worst vechile we have ever owned
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter became stuck in the sport (S) position and the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact was able to move the gear shifter into park (P) position but the vehicle would not turn off and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed that the parts for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon driving from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated and surged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to drive the vehicle, the vehicle shifted into reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the brakes and the transmission needed to be repaired. 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 issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 147,464.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle could not be immediately restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a faulty transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Due to leaking coolant and overheating. I had to get engine and transmission work done that totaled over $10,000 worth mechanical work. I also had to get suspension work which is also include it the total of being over $10,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it inadvertently started rolling while the engine was not running. The contact's wife was in the vehicle while rolling. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle; however, he was stuck between the driver's door of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle and damaged its front bumper because the nearby vehicle was backed in at the parking lot. The driver's door was bent up to the front fender and the passenger door was damaged, in addition, to the possible front driver-side fender. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags were not deployed. There were no police on the scene, or report filed. The contact was taken to the emergency by a family member. The contact also damaged his eyewear. The contact left and right heels were scraped, along with bones damages, the right, and left leg shingles, and the right eye. The contact received medical treatment for his eye and legs and both heels. The contact still receives medical treatments. The failure was related to the recall of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The transmission failed at an intersection. The car wouldnt go into gear, the car would start to shake, care has gone backwards & having to use to E-brake to ensure vehicle is parked. My safety was put at risk at a intersection and the vehicles behind and in front of me were at risk of accident. Not safe to drive. The dealership sent out a recall on that vehicle and on NHSTA you can also see the recall and affected parts. Same issues experienced stated in the recall. Vehicle was brought to dealer ship but not inspected due to dealership waiting for part. No previous warnings. Just the incdent that put people at risk.
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 shifting the gear shifter into reverse(R), a message to -€œShift to Park-€ was displayed. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH uphill, the shifter cable fractured, and the vehicle started to reverse. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued to reverse. The contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle and then attempted to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was unable to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local auto body shop and diagnosed with shifter cable failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was towed to another local mechanic due to the check engine light being illuminated, and also because the vehicle was unable to start. The vehicle was then towed to another local mechanic who replaced a fuse and the battery. The mechanic then informed the contact to tow the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into gear. The contact then attempted to shift to drive(D) however, the vehicle was inoperable and made an abnormal noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Puting car into reverse on 2way road to turn around car wouldn't go in reverse or forwards car shut off. Had to keep brake on kept shifting back and forth till car turned on had traffic stopped both ways. Seatbelt released not working at all. If car would of gone forwards upon started would of gone over cliff. This happened about 2nd week in July. Currently car has trouble upon driving shifting into gear. Please advise. Dangerous
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 lost motive power. The failure nearly caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pekin, IL, USA