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.
My piece of garbage escape started leaking coolant slowly but got worse on its own overtime. I eventually had to start adding coolant every two days or so. The leak was right next to the faulty turbo. I took my car to the shop for one of the many other issues and it didn't leak anymore. The shop said they didn't do anything, so I think the mechanic just didn't tell anyone. But, it doesn't leak anymore. Before the fix, whatever it was, it would leak pretty badly.
Bought this car January 20, 2020. Within a year I was having really bad coolant leaking issues - I was going through about 2 gallons of coolant a week. Replaced the overflow tank only for it to start spraying out of the intake line.
This is super frustrating that I went through a bottle of coolant in 2 weeks because it is bubbling back in the reservoir bottle and my car is leaking coolant constantly. I have never had an issue the first 2 years I had this vehicle and now it’s a pain in my ass. Ford needs to stop making vehicles that have an issue with the cooling system - that is a hazard.
Apparently Ford can admit they built a terrible car but does nothing to fix it. I bought my car used not even a year ago and have had nothing but issues with it. I've had a coolant leak since I got it. Dropped it off at the dealership and they're telling me it needs a new engine coolant level sensor. There was a recall for this back in like 2017 but I haven't heard back from them on if it'll be covered or not.
I've also had to have a hose replaced that was leaking as well. I'm finding out that the issues with the coolant system can cause a fire. Before I took it to the dealership I was driving to work on a very dangerous highway (1431) when my car overheated as I was going up a hill. Once the car starts overheating it basically starts shutting down. I had nowhere to pull over and couldn't get up the hill so I had to stop in the middle of the highway and turn my car off.
Yesterday while driving my vehicle, the notice of low coolant level came on. I pulled over to allow the car to cool for almost 2 hours before I added some more in there but I thought it was strange that it was pretty much empty before the notice came up which has never happened before. I've had leaks and got it fixed and got it replaced with their auto parts and only theirs, I added some coolant my normal amount started my car drove 10 feet if that much and my engine light came back on with the red indicator because it still stated that the coolant was low after I just added some, so I sat under a shaded area unsure of what was going on. I popped open my hood only to see coolant leaking like crazy.
Fast forward to today I found out that the head cup plug (freeze plug) has been a problem with Ford and they had a silent recall because it is a huge FIRE hazard so I called them to find out if they would honor that recall and I was told that the only had a recall for a door latch I proceeded to inform their representative that wasn't true provided her with the information of 2013 models built Oct 2011 through Aug 2012 which my vehicle 08/12 having this recall and how dangerous it is for me and my family.
The representative flat out told me it's a recall for models built out of a certain factory and not all 2013 models even though it's the exact same problem and here is the kicker her ADVICE: was for me to pay to get my car fixed and hold on to the receipt and if FORD decides to open a case in a few years they would pay me back… WOW!!!! I've dealt with a lot of crap with this car and I've only had it for 3 yrs but this right here is truly unbelievable. Thanks Ford, you really care about your customers.
- novarex,
Denver, US
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Bought this car in 2013 from a dealership. Being new I didn't think I would have the problems and recalls that have plagued this eco-boost. With diagnostics, solenoid that was presumed to fix problem and an oil change it was close to a 1,000.00. And still leaking coolant. Maybe a cracked cylinder I was told when I returned to the repair shop.
I called the Ford dealership about a possible bulletin I read but they blew me off within a minute - didn't even check. Haven't been driving much this year because of Covid. Need help and more info. Thank you, Sandy.
So I have a 2013 1.6 liter Ford Escape. This year and make was under a recall for a coolant leak. This car was purchased by me just a few months ago from a lady that took extremely good care of this car. When I got it it was nearly in mint condition. Apparently Ford is telling me that this particular manufacture date is out of the recall date yet it’s the same year, same engine size and everything. So now even though it’s likely it’s having the same issues as the recalled escapes, it’s gonna be up to me to pay to fix it.
The yellow engine light comes on and the car sputters, the coolant is leaking internally. I took it to the dealer and they said a software download would fix the problem. It did not. They also said the leak could be due to a cracked cylinder or gasket and the repair could cost as much as $4200. The car has 73,xxx miles and we are not sure if that is the problem after reading some of the other complaints.
So I bought this Escape thinking great car for winter driving until 10 months into owning the car. I noticed my coolant kept leaking out. went back to Key Auto in Somersworth NH and told them my problem. They looked at it and said we can't fix it. It takes a special tool to take the water pump off. So I went to the Ford garage. My mistake not taking extended warranty, it ended up costing me about 1000 dollars that time.
A year ago went back to Key Auto said my coolant is still leaking out. They said they had to replace a hose, another cost of 300 dollars. Just a month ago my coolant light came on. I filled it. 2 days later it was gone again. My husband came to pick me up. He put coolant in it twice that day. Driving me home from work the power shut off on us on the highway, saying engine over heating. So we were stuck on the side of the road for about an hour. I did finally get a warranty on the car. We got towed to the Ford garage in Rochester NH and once they checked it out they said they replaced some hoses, the coolant tank and something else. The bill was 1700 dollars.
Just the other night I was out and my coolant light came on again. Checked my coolant, it was low. Called the Ford garage, they looked at it and said it's not external, so bad news it might be internal not good. So I still owe a lot on this car, and I'm having a hard time to get rid of it. When this first started happening I tried to return it but Key Auto said because I haven't had the car long enough they wouldn't work with me. Help me out, please.
This was my husband's company car, he purchased it from Wheels, Inc., I received this car 1/4/16. 1st problem occurred 8/2/16. Coolant problem began 09/12/16, coolant evaporated no leak by Clark Tire, they informed me there is a recall for this issue by FORD. To this day the coolant evaporates monthly I carry coolant in my car. Coolant has been checked by Clark Tire, Ford has checked 3 times (total of 4 X's), Chett, Cliff and Rob at Huntersville Ford, NC have NEVER been able to duplicate the coolant PROBLEM! I had just picked up my car from Ford next day I was stranded because car stopped running, NO COOLANT! I called Ford from my car spoke to CHETT, I was crying and yelling I felt Ford should have come to get me and tow my car back to their Dealership, he said they could not do that he said it was my problem. PS. When car was dropped off the night before not sure who checked it, I have no receipt because there was no charge.
How hard is it to drive my car for a while (Ford has had my car for a week at a time) open the hood and look at the COOLANT TANK! NOW, the car began slipping while driving in May 2017. Drove my car 7/19/17, car slipping while driving on continued basis. On my way back home Engine light came on Flashing, car violently began shaking, pulled over read manual TAKE TO FORD DEALERSHIP ASAP!
Didn't drive again. Dropped off my car AGAIN at Ford Huntersville, NC on 7/22/17, while driving to dealership NO SHAKING, COOL AIR, flashing engine light. Chett received my car at this visit, he said 'I remember you, you had the coolant problem', I told him what was going on, and asked him to AGAIN check the coolant system, I asked if there could there be a small hole in the tank, Chett said no. I Received a call from him I quote "We could not duplicate the problem, removed spark plug #3, when removing spark plug #2 they could not because he said it was stripped! If Ford continues to try to remove that spark plug it could come out stripped, if that happens it will cost ME between $4,000.00 - $5000.00!!!!".
Chett then stated I quote "He has seen this problem before with Escapes over 100,000 miles and NOW believes that is where the coolant is leaking!". Since Chett is so knowledgeable WHY WAS THIS NOT ADDRESSED back in 9/2016!!!! I picked my car up on 7/29 my car IT WAS VIOLENTLY shaking engine light flashing stayed at Ford, young service rep witnessed it as well as ROB at FORD. I can't drive my car light continues to flash car shakes ALL THE TIME now I have no COOL AIR when running the air conditioning system!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My piece of garbage escape started leaking coolant slowly but got worse on its own overtime. I eventually had to start adding coolant every two days or so. The leak was right next to the faulty turbo. I took my car to the shop for one of the many other issues and it didn't leak anymore. The shop said they didn't do anything, so I think the mechanic just didn't tell anyone. But, it doesn't leak anymore. Before the fix, whatever it was, it would leak pretty badly.
- Chance K., Norman, US