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.
It is January and there is snow on the ground however, the conditions are average winter conditions. Pulling out of drive way after warming up the car, the windshield spontaneously began to crack in streaks from the top on the driver's side. Windshield will need to be replaced. Just one more reason to be disappointed in this car.
This is totally unacceptable, my daughter bought the Escape and was proud of her new purchase, put her faith in the Ford Motor Company, as we all know these units are not cheap. I have owned several Ford trucks and currently drive a 2003 SuperCrew, it has been a good vehicle and had been contemplating buying a new one. I now have reservations after this example of poor workmanship, I am totally pissed but don't know what to do about it...........would expect Ford as a responsible manufacturer to step up to the plate and realize they have a problem, come on get real, this was not the result of an impact incident, this vehicle is going into the dealer next week for 5, get it 5 recall items....what's with that!!
My 2013 escape windshield literally cracked for no reason while we were driving. It was not cold out, though it was raining and I had the wipers on. My 9 yr old noticed it first. Really regret buying this SUV. (Absolutely nothing hit the windshield no rocks and both the inside and outside are smooth to the touch)
1 week before the 12 month "limited warranty" on the windshield was up (see page 13 in warranty booklet), I had washed my car. When I lowered the wiper blades, I heard a pop. The windshield was cracked. The blades/arms have a spring, as all wiper blades do, but there is a piece of metal on the arm, that holds the blade in place. My theory is that the 22" wiper arm made contact with the hood on its way down which caused the blade/arm to land on the glass at an angle causing the piece of metal, that holds the blade to the arm, to crack the glass. I went to the dealer immediately and was told to call my ins. co. They said that Ford would not cover it. The service rep told me to feel free to call Ford myself!
I went to the dealer last week for another problem and the district supervisor was there. I went over the windshield issue with him, one year later, yes, but my issue should be in their records. He looked at my mileage, currently 12,000+, and said it was too late! Then they had the audacity to ask me if I was drunk when I washed my car.
So frustrating, and yes, my other issues with Metro Motors in St. Thomas will be brought to your attention
Went out of town for the weekend in a different vehicle, came home and windshield was cracked vertically in the middle of the glass, no chips evident, guess the bow was not enough causing the glass to be under pressure when glazed into the vehicle. Will go to the dealer with this.
- Don P.,
Arlington, TX, US
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The windshield on my 2013 Ford Escape has started to crack from the bottom, out of the blue. I've had cracked windshields on other windows but always knew it was going to happen... I'd hear the rock hit the window and just wait. But... this is definitely not from a rock. We've had lots of cold and ice, bad weather in general... but no excuse for a windshield to crack, in my opinion.
Had car washed and windshield cracked from hood to tint part of windshield called dealer they said call your insurance and hung up.. I then called Ford head office and they gave me a case # to take to dealer they have to look at it and determine its a fault with the glass!!! Will take it there on Monday and see what they say?!!
I rented a Ford Escape 2013 Model from Budget in Vancouver Canada, drove it for 2 days in Vancouver and then went to Portland with no problems for 3 days. On the 4th day, I was returning to BC and around Chehalis in Washington State, It started raining so I put on the front and back wipers, defrost and fan for 10mins. Then after the rain stopped, I put the wipers and the defrost and fan off. I immediately saw a crack in the windshield out of nowhere.
I did not hit anything, there was no rocks flying and there is no sign of a chip in the windshield just a crack right across from the hood on the tinted area towards the middle of the windshield about a metre long. Weird stuff.!!!
Anyways, I returned the car to Budget and explained to them what happened and they told me they have not come across such a thing, just one guy looked at it and he said sometimes it is the weather. It can happen if the weather gets so cold but they will forward it to their claim centre to have an expert look at it and will hear from them in 5-7 business days.
I was in shocked and was looking for answers as to why a car windshield can just crack without any impact and therefore I decided to check online to see if anyone had been in a similar situation because it feels weird to me hence my story on this website. Stay tuned and will update you with budget. I am actually going to forward this complaints of windshield problems with FORD ESCAPE to them because Ford needs to use quality glass for windshields, it is very dangerous and someone needs to instigate a lawsuit. I guess I was lucky the glass did not shatter on me and my children in the car.
Update from Mar 22, 2013: I have a Cadillac Escalade I bought in early 2005 but it is a 2004 model and I am still using it up to date. I ship it to West Africa 2011 because I am doing some work there and there is no dent in the windshield even with all the bad roads and dust, my truck is 8yrs old and it is in a perfect condition and still looks very new.
Ford Escape sucks!!! It is not a reliable car one should consider buying.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It is January and there is snow on the ground however, the conditions are average winter conditions. Pulling out of drive way after warming up the car, the windshield spontaneously began to crack in streaks from the top on the driver's side. Windshield will need to be replaced. Just one more reason to be disappointed in this car.
- nwenzel, marlton, NJ, US