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:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,671 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. While driving 45 mph, the power steering assist fault indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
While driving the vehicle, my power steering stopped working completely and an icon on the dash stating "steering assist error". luckily I was driving slowly and was just about to pull into my driveway however, this could have been a major issue had I been driving on a highway. I began looking online and found that many other drivers have had this issue and nobody has done anything about it. I cant believe that there are innocent civilian's driving around whos power steering can turn off at any given moment. My vehicle only has 62K miles and I found that the fix will be $2K. I also found online that there have been recalls for this but for only a very finite amount of vehicle. This is beyond dangerous and completely negligent by Ford and all other parties involved.
Turned on vehicle (stationary); and received message "steering assist failed - service required" and turning the steering wheel became very difficult. Turned the vehicle off, waited a few minutes - turned the vehicle back on and the steering was fine. Contacted Ford - Ford advised me they had not had any issues like this for this particular vehicle, after researching online I have found other Ford models, that have a recall for this exact same problem! dtc after scanning : U3000: 49-48
I was stopping to get gas when the power steering went out. I could have got in a wreck if not for stopping..I have not had this vehicle but for 5 years and already have had like 3 recalls.. there is a recall on this power steering assist default in other years on Ford's but not 2013. I have seen many complaints on this same issue why there is no recall for 2013 makes me so mad someone has to die from this to get anything to change...I will never buy another Ford ever. To only have this vehicle a short amount of years and had to have the problems I have had just makes me angry to know I spent my money on a vehicle that they did not manufacture right.
- Eden, GA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Started up car, getting ready to leave work, steering wheel would not turn at all, noticed warning message of steering G fault service required. Cut off engine waited for a few minutes and restarted cat, everything worked fine. Drive 15 miles home. Had no issues for one week, then started car and had same issue. Cut car off and restarted everything fine, really makes you nervous driving under these situations when you are a senior citizen transporting your husband to dr appts. And such. He cannot drive or assist me in any way if car breaks down as he is in a wheelchair. Going to have checked but no way I can afford the cost of repair. App. Mileage is 60000.
I was traveling approximately 25 mph on a city street when the steering wheel became stiff and unable to move. An message popped up on the dash 'steering assist failure'. I pulled off the road and placed the vehicle in park, turned off the vehicle and waited about 1 minute. I restarted the vehicle and everything operated normally for about 15 minutes of driving at highway speeds. The next morning while pulling out of the driveway the steering wheel again became stiff and unable to move. I put the vehicle in park and turned it off. I restarted the vehicle after waiting about 30 seconds and everything operated normally.
Steering locked up and warning light came on "service engine soon". this was in parking lot and trying to get car in motion. Turning the engine off and then on seemed to solve the issue. This happened twice. Service required replacement of eps gearbox.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The contact stated that the power steering assist light illuminated causing the contact to turn the steering wheel with force. The vehicle was taken to brandon Ford (9090 East adamo drive tampa, Florida 33619 (phone) 813-246-3333) for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that the dealer had not provided the diagnostic information. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V286000 (steering). The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While attempting to make a right turn, the steering ability seized and the vehicle kept driving straight. The vehicle came to a complete stop and the contact turned off the vehicle. After a few minutes, the vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 91,109.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the power steering failed. In addition, the "power steering assist fault" warning message was displayed. El cajon Ford (1595 East main street, el cajon, California 92021) was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Coolant issues; constantly have to add coolant; at one point car overheated and went into shut down mode; dealer replaced engine problem still exists; poer steering has gone out several times; replaced racket and pionion; problem still exists;
While I was driving approximately 45 mph on hwy 62 near vilas rd. In jackson county, Oregon, the low battery warning illuminated and the steering locked up. Luckily it was on a straight road and not near my home in the mountains which is about 25 miles of curvy roads. I had just purchased and drove the car home from the dealership the night before. I went to the Ford dealership, not where I purchased the vehicle, and was informed this car is not subject to recall even though the same models and year range have this exact safety hazard & fault. My vehicle is now at the mechanic, that the dealership chose, and they say it is a $2,000 repair with an undertermined time frame to repair it. I could have been killed, killed my wife, or another person with the steering locking up like that.
On my 2013 Ford Escape, I experienced the wheel locking up and not being able to turn as I got a message stating 'power steering fault, service required'. I took my vehicle to a dealership nearby my work and it was connected to a computer and pulled code U3000 and found to be a faulty steering gear with estimated repair cost of $1,940. When planning to repair, I was told the part was on backorder and did not have a date when it was supposed to be stocked. The code was cleared and I was sent on my way. Again my wheel has continued to lock up and I have now been without a vehicle for 3 days. I have googled this issue and it seems to be a very common issue across the United States
Power steering assist fault error would come on when turning onto a street which would eliminate all power steering to the vehicle. This would happen at anytime when driving. I had the vehicle (2013 Ford Escape) serviced on 7-18-18 at the dealership. The service center informed me that the error was caused by a faulty electronic assist rack and pinion and needed to be replaced. My vehicle has only 41000 miles. I feel this is a safety issue and should be noted for a recall.
Have had several incidents of the power steering assist warning coming on, and steering is extremely hard to maneuver. Been told this is extremely dangerous if it occurs at highway speeds. Also told it is very expensive to fix.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Eden, GA, USA