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:
8 / 62
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,321 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.
Vehicle has had frequent "engine stalls, " where there is hesitation and stumbling with the rpms moving from 1-6 sporadically. Frequent power loss with engine, and while driving on the nys thruway, almost caused an accident when vehicle engine light began to flash with major power loss. After this occurred, it was was found by the local Ford dealership to require an engine replacement. This vehicle is a 2013 Ford Escape and had 56,000 miles on it when this occurred.
Heat gauge goes to normal but little to no heat. Air conditioner had to be repaired by mike bass Ford sheffield Ohio I have changed rotors, calipers and brake pads 2 times in 2 years and 8000 miles I purchased the cat 09/28/2017 with 30849 miles
The engine shuts down while driving on city street. It happens at least twice when it happens and within 5 minutes of having started the vehicle. It happens randomly.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 25 mph, the rpms decreased too low and the vehicle stalled twenty one times without warning. The contact called hines park Ford Inc (56558 Pontiac trail, new hudson, mi 48165, (888) 482-7660) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine coolant low and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that there was a possible reservoir leak. The contact smelled a burning oil odor coming from the engine and the vehicle stalled and shut off. The contact took the vehicle to montrose Ford-Lincoln (located at 2480 w state St, alliance, oh 44601, 330-823-1128) where it was determined that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where the water pump assembly was replaced, but the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and they could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer provided case numbers: 17515194 and 25220147. The contact was informed that she would be hearing from someone at Ford; however, she had not received a call back. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
- Akron, OH, USA
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Beginning in March 2019 on my 2013 Ford Escape purchased Nov. 13 2018, I was sitting at a red light began to drive and it did once I came home to another stop and began accelerating this car began to jerk and turn off showing the battery light and check oil light comes on, fast forward 4 months July I had the same issue that was repaired occurred again, the car began to jerk excessively while driving got it repaired apparently now beginning in November on the 4th my car began to turn off while in idle at a light now which caused my vehicle to be in the shop for repair for about 20 days when going to pick the car up drove for about 2 days until the problem reoccurred again, dropped it back off now the vehicle is still not operating once the car goes into idle at a red light, stop sign.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. When the vehicle was started, the contact smelled an odor and the coolant low warning indicator illuminated. Once the vehicle was parked, the contact also noticed liquid underneath and the reservoir was low. The contact noticed the vehicle had a coolant leak. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V551000 (engine and engine cooling) due to the dates of manufacturing during the year manufactured. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Have had car fixed multiple times including replacing entire turbo system however car continues to stall when driving. The entire car will shut off and will not accelerate.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While depressing the accelerator pedal at various speeds, the rpms would rapidly increase and the vehicle would shut off without warning. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the failure could be related to the throttle body. The contact was given a cost estimate for the repair and was advised to have the vehicle diagnosed at a local Ford dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to dahl Ford (821 3rd St, la crosse, wi 54601) for repairs on the turbo. After the vehicle was retrieved, the contact noticed an odor of burning oil inside the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed that the odor would eventually go away after a couple of oil changes. The contact also stated that the odor inside the cabin was getting worse and the torque converter bolts were loose. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: Cas-25206696. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
My car started showing engine overheating and when I took it in to dealer they confirmed a crack leaking fluid into engine. Recall work done in 2014 was to avoid this from happening and now they are telling me I have to buy a new $6000 engine to have it run again. They won't cover it under their recall. I wrote the BBB but they refuse to honor it because I didn't buy an extended warranty. The car just turned 6 yrs old. I'm the only owner and purchased it new.
Previously had dealer repair coolant leak hoses in firewall but not listed in recall as was Focus/Fusion. Took a week to complete. Engine just had a high temp Friday the 13th while driving two miles on a stretch and stalled out. Turned off climate system and drove to dealer the next morning.
My 2013 Ford Escape is stalling while driving. It has done it numerous times. It will start back once put in park and restarted the engine. It has stalled in on coming traffic. I have taken it to mechanic and they can't find out what is wrong because it's not throwing in codes.
A small coolant return line on backside of motor was mis-crimped causing it to separate and coolant to leak onto motor while driving. There was no indicator light telling me coolant was low. Car shut down due to extreme temperature, and motor started smoking from coolant leaking on hot motor. Luckily I was on a city street and was able to pull to side of road safely. I called Ford and they said it was my responsibility to fix because my vehicle wasn't affected by previous recalls for same problem and were very rude about it. This is clearly a manufactured defect and luckily the car didn't catch fire due to this defect. Again there was never an indication of low coolant, just a shutting down due to extreme temperature right before car shut down.
While driving down the highway the car would lose power, stall out and die! after coasting over to the emergency lane and wanting a few minutes, I would then turning the car off then back on. It would start but I never know when its going to happen again. The car had sufficient fuel and oil, battery connection are tight and clean.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 30 mph, the "service engine" indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that there was no coolant in the radiator. The following day, the same message was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who stated that the engine was leaking coolant, but the origin of the leak could not be determined. Gurley leep Ford (320 E ireland rd, South bend, in 46614) was informed of the failures via phone. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 138,402.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the anti-freeze and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle shook and lost power. When the contact turned the vehicle off and back on, it resumed normal operation after a few minutes. The vehicle was taken to Ford Lincoln of huntington (147 w 11th St, huntington station, NY 11746, (631) 923-2145) where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector, pressure sensor, and wastegate solenoid failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baldwinsville, NY, USA