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.
February 2019 I had my water pump, water gasket, and heater hose replaced by Ford because they found coolant pump and heater hoses were leaking. Before they fixed this issues I would smell a horrible smell when I used my heater. Lately, I have been smelling the same smell from the coolant leaking when I use my heater, this smell gives me headaches every time I drive my car. My check engine light came on December 29th 2020. I had taken it to auto zone to check the codes. They detected the code P26B7 -replace coolant bypass valve and the smell is increasing when I drive my car and use my heater. Now I am going to be out more money for the same issue that looks like to be happening for years now. This is not right!
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to stall while a warning message to pull the vehicle over appeared on the instrument panel. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the vehicle was overheated and that there was no coolant in the reservoir. Upon restart of the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Due to the failure, the contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who confirmed that there was a coolant leak however, the mechanic was unable to determine the source of the leak. Ted russell Ford Lincoln (8551 kingston pike, knoxville, tn 37919) was also notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have been having issues with my 2013 Ford Escape 1.6L ' the coolant light service required light indicator has been coming on. I first would fill the coolant reservoir with antifreeze and a month or so later the light would come on again. I would repeat the process. I brought it in to bay state Ford in easton, Massachusetts and was informed that my water pump was the cause of the leak. ($1,500). I had them repair it. I got the car back and a month or 2 later the coolant light came on again. I brought it back and they did diagnostics on (compression tests) and informed that there were no leaks and that there might have been air pockets that caused it. I took my car back again and within 1 month the coolant light came back on again. Again, they do diagnostics and said there was no leak and blamed air pockets. I took it back and within 1 to 2 weeks the coolant light came back on again. They look at it again and did the same diagnostics and now tell me that there is an internal leak and that it could be within the engine and wanted my approval to perform more diagnostics at my expense as they were not sure where the leak is coming from internally. This could cost me thousands of dollars as they think it could be the engine. This vehicle is only 7 years old and should not be leaking coolant internally and I already replaced the water pump. They told me my choices are to trade up to a new car or pay for the replacement of engine if indeed that is the issue. This is not fair to me. They are telling me that there is no recall on this vehicle and that I had a 2.0 engine. (I do not have a 2.0 engine, I have a 1.6L engine). Recall number 12V551000 is an engine and engine cooling issue and it sounds that my Ford Escape is part of or should be part of this recall.
On my 2013 Ford Escape whenever I pour coolant in it automatically leaks. It has been smoking, overheating and dangerous. I need the car fixed. I scheduled an appointment with autonation Ford margate at 5401 w copans rd, margate, fl 33063 and when I got there they told me it would be a charge to diagnose. Ford should be aware of the issue and ready to fix it for the customer. There has already been a recall for this and need it fixed for free.
My 2013 Ford Escape 1.6L stalls at low speeds. This occurs randomly when the car is moving at a slow speed. For example when approaching a stop sign on a city street. This has happened multiple times, too numerous to count.
- Sayville, NY, USA
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A month ago we filled the coolant up after noticing it was low. Last week when I started it up it immediately shut off. I started it up again and it only stayed running if I gave it some gas. Drove it about 2 miles and when I arrived back home I got the warning to come to a complete stop. It then killed all the power to the vehicle. Stated it was overheating. The reservoir was almost empty of coolant. Filled it back up and the messages were gone. Drove it to get the codes pulled. See picture. Waiting to hear back about what it may be but the mechanic seemed to think it's the head gasket. Only 90K miles are you kidding?
While driving this vehicle died after giving a high temperature warning & the engine came on. Once cooled it would not drive forward on in reverse. This vehicle is not safe to drive and has had multiple previous issues.
My 2013 Ford Escape is losing coolant. It is not leaking on ground. I have had it in 3 times to Ford and local mechanic and they cannot find a leak. They say it is not included in the recall. I need to fill it every couple of months. I bought the car in 2.5 years ago and it has been an ongoing problem.
On at least four occasions, vehicle has issued warning of overheating. First two times were in fl as my daughter was leaving home, headed to work. She was going approximately 10 mph. The car stalled on her. The warning states to pull over immediately and stop the car. This happened again on 12/18/20 as my daughter was leaving work. She started the car and immediately the warning sounded, the car sputtered and died completely. The coolant was below the normal range, so we went back two days later with antifreeze (she is now living in ne). We topped off the coolant tank and we were able to drive it home at normal interstate travel approx 5 miles. On 12/24/20, I went out to start the car and the warning happened, again. The engine showed at the hotest level, sputtered and died. There is a recall on this year, make and model for potential engine coolant leak. However, her VIN is not listed under this recall.
Warning came on stating engine was overheating and to pull over safely. After sitting for 3 days, tried to start the car again, with the same warning. The vehicle should not have been overheated at this time. Could not drive vehicle with this warning. Had to have it towed home.
I have a 2013 Ford Escape 1.6 liter. Manufacture date is 02/2013. Apparently slightly earlier manufactured Escapes had a recall for a coolant leak. Ford is telling me this car is out of that manufacture date yet this car is nearly in mint condition except this one thing which seems a little ironic to me. It is leaking coolant significantly and I can't tell where from.
Our 2013 Ford Escape has developed a coolant leak and oil leak. The coolant leak is from the water pump and the oil leak is unknown at this time. I have seen that there have been issues with this model and Ford has recalled some but ours does not come up under that recall.
Vehicle started losing antifreeze no leak was found. Dealership couldn't diagnose the problem. Now the engine is gone. Leaked coolant to the engine Ford should take full responsibility for this issue. I was told by the dealership that they are aware of the issues but Ford doesn't want to take any responsibility
Have had to replace the fuel pressure sensor twice in a year. Bought car a year ago and have smelled burning since. Turbo was replaced due to internal oil leak. Now car over heats and have to add coolant weekly. Smoke comes up through hood on occasion. Took to dealership who said they couldn't find any leaks or tell me why I can smell burning and see smoke. Said coolant level sensor needs to be replaced (should be covered under recall but VIN wasn't flagged) but how is that going to fix adding coolant weekly? Ford has been aware of cooling systems since 2010 and has done nothing to fix it.
Car starts to sputter then just die while driving almost causing a rear end collision. This is now the 9th time this has happened in the last 6 months. Vehicle was in motion on a main roadway.
In januaryand February of 2019 I took my 2013 Ford Escape to sonora Ford in sonora, ca because it started stalling on me. It happened usually after starting the vehicle and driving 50 to 100 feet and then it would start to sputter and die. I got no lights on the dashboard no check engine light. It seems to do it every two or three stops. Sonora Ford checked it and said they would have to check it later they told me something was wrong in the manifold but they would have to terret down to find out. They said I what is missing a bolt in my manifold gasket. The manifold gasket was replaced but after one week it was still was stalling. I took it back a week later and the manager of the service department drove it home to his house while it was hooked up to some machineand found nothing wrong. They told me they did not know what was wrong with it. I took it home and after a few weeks the stalling seemed to stop on its own until November 2020 now it's stalling again. I went on the internet and looked up my car and found that there's been trouble for years with this car stalling but sonora Ford did not bother to tell me this. There has been several close calls as I pull into traffic and the car stalled but yesterday I had my two younger grandchildren in the car and it seem to be fine and I pulled out in traffic, after about 20 yards it stalled and the vehicle behind me had to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid rear ending me. I am sending you this email on a Saturday. I have an appointment on Tuesday, the 8th of December for my 5000 mile oil change and I plan on telling the dealership that they need to do something about this. Can you give me any advice about what to do to have them help me.thank you
Engine fault - service now light has come on at least once/year. When this happens the car hesitates and rides rough. I contact the Ford dealership immediately to have them fix the problem. The Ford dealership has worked on the car but the problem still exists. The warranty has expired. This has been an ongoing problem. Should I be responsible for repairs?
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact was concerned about a possible coolant leak in the vehicle however, there was no physical evidence of a coolant leak. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact's wife took the vehicle to southgate Lincoln, llc (16800 fort St, southgate, mi 48195) where the vehicle was inspected and coolant was added. The mechanic found no defects with the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
For the last 2 years our Escape will stall out while driving when the weather is cold but after the car has been in motion for more than 20 minutes, this has been terrifying with my child in the car we have almost been in several accidents due to the car just stalling out while driving in traffic, we have taken it to the dealer and other mechanics and nobody can figure it out we have repaired the turbo and catalytic converter among other various repairs that have cost us thousands of dollars and nothing has fixed this issue. This is a safety issue! I've almost been hit by a semi on the freeway because my car stalled out while driving it! it happened again today.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cornelius, OR, USA