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.
My 2013 Ford Escape SEL FWD has been having warning light to "check engine" for a while. Mechanic read a misfire and changed thing. As it continued, Mechanic said computer needed to be "flashed" since it was not an engine problem they found. It went into check engine between 48-55 mph. Later the engine just quit with hot engine warning and antifreeze was empty. Refilled, drove home. The car continually runs our of fluid without obvious signs of leakage. This antifreeze problem continues, occasionally we see smoke from the engine but cannot find a source when we pull over to look. Smells like antifreeze. The car can drive 50-60 miles on a full antifreeze reservoir before getting too hot. I see multiple concerns over this issue but no recall.
Engine Stalls while driving down the road at low RPMs This is a known problem with 2013 Escapes but only limited number of Recalls were given. Very dangerous
Constant coolant leak and not sure where the coolant is going. Have replaced the reservior, valve cover gasket, cylinder head and valves, coolant level bottle sensor, coolant thermostat, and engine coolant temperature sensor. Check engine light is still on and Coolant is still leaking and engine overheating. Can't find where the leakage is and there is no visible evidence on the floor of the garage. Losing coolant obvious because the level is low ever 2-3 days of highway driving. Car will shut down because of the overheating. Mechanic doesn't know what else to do. Car was purchased on June 4, 2024. Have not received the title or license plates. Tried to return it to the company who sold it to me; however, owner of the company refused to refund my money.
- Houston, TX, USA
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shakes as it brakes *coolant leaks (i see in the ford escape recalls there is one for coolant leaking) *upon opening doors it feel a slight stuck before opening. the doors don-??t feel intact properly. *rubbers around windows appear loose. windows may not be secured.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle sputtered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 13N03. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 36,780.
I did a $1,500 down payment for a 2013 Ford Escape at Hurley's Salvage and Auto Sales in Amory Ms. I test drove the vehicle and informed the sales agent that there were problems with the windows going up or down, the interior lights didn't work, the sideview mirror control didn't work, and that a high pitched squeaking noise was coming from under the hood. I was told to bring the vehicle back for repairs on the windows, interior lights, and sideview mirrors after I got a free check of the fuses. Because they were too busy to do so. I was told that the squeaking came from the vehicle not being in use for awhile. 2 weeks later I took the vehicle back and told them the results (showed the results of a test ran on the fuses and everything was good with the fuses). I was told it would be fixed when they got time that I would be called. I also told them that the squeaking had gotten worse, I was told that would be looked into when they called me. (5-3-24, the date I told them that the squeaking had gotten worse) On 5-6-24 the vehicle ran hot, I noticed the indicator past the halfway mark. I went to AutoZone checked the antifreeze and the reserve tank was empty. I purchased some antifreeze and it took about half the container to fill it back up. I told them about the antifreeze incident, was asked did I put antifreeze in it. Nothing else was said. On Sunday [XXX] me and a passenger was headed home. When the vehicle temperature hand shot up to max hot and the vehicle lost mostly all power. I was able to park about 75 to a hundred yards in a safe place. I was told a few days later by Hurley's that the vehicle had a oil leak, that the drive belt came off, they replaced it with a new one, and now the vehicle won't crank. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I own a 2013 Ford escape SEL, and I have had a continuous coolant leak for over a year now. Codes from computer reading have come back as spark plugs and cylinders misfiring. I have taken it to a licensed repair shop. They have informed me that they could not find a coolant leak within the cooling and radiator system. However, after personal research and additional information from, my mechanic, I have come to realize that other issues within the Ford escape 2013 1.6 L eco-boost engine, our part of the problem. In my opinion, the Ford Motor Company has neglected to acknowledge, or repair the issues with this engine and what-??s causing the vehicle to lose coolant, then causing other engine problems. It has put me in unsafe situations as acceleration and or overall performance is putting people at risk.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired while the vehicle was being driven on a hill. In addition, the check engine and low coolant warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant leak into the cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Vehicle overheated and displayed check engine light and overheating was towed to body shop was fixed Overheated 2hours later and was towed back Overheated the next day and was towed where they say nothing is wrong
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while receiving routine maintenance, the mechanic added more oil than the engine required. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was smoking. There was smoke coming from the tailpipe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder EcoBoost. There were also metal shavings inside the engine, and a short block engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
The coolant reservoir on my Ford Escape is leaking, which is a known common problem with these cars. I have had to refill it every couple of months, and there is often a puddle of coolant on the ground when moving my car. Occasionally when driving, the car temperature monitor gets hot, which is incredibly dangerous; sometimes this happens only a week after refilling the reservoir. I took my car to a shop and they noticed the coolant leak and said it would be expensive, but that it is a common problem.
There have been recalls on this year, make and model for substantial coolant leaks in the past. Our vehicle did not make that recall list, but we have been dealing with a similar issue for many years, and even after expensive repairs we are still losing coolant. The vehicle will not hold coolant for more than 24hrs at this point before having to refill it, and we are in need of more work on the coolant system.
The coolant system contuiously leaks which cause my vehicle to over heat and shut down while im driving. I have to add coolant daily sometimes multiple times a day. I have been on the highway and my vehicle starts to overheat and stal. I have almost gotten into wrecks. This has been going on since I brought the car
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Derby, KS, USA