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. Read more »
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:
3 / 14
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,644 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.
On four different occasions, the vehicle was being driven by accelerating from a stop. Seconds after beginning to accelerate, the engine appeared to stall. All ip lights went out and engine lost power. Moments after this power loss, all lights came back on and vehicle was able to be driven normally. This vehicle has had an extensive repair/recall campaign history. This was reported during a service visit and no problem was found. The problem occured three more times.
My car has an open recall for the door latch not latching properly and I was wondering since the recall was never remedied if it could pertain to the battery draining while my vehicle was simply parked in my driveway. I had to jump start my vehicle and I am hoping that this isnt going to be a reoccuring thing.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the hill start assist not available, engine service, and engine fault message warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled, the rpms decreased, and the power steering failed. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a computer glitch. The computer was reset, but the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle overheated and the computer was reset again. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer again where it was diagnosed with too many communication codes. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken to a different dealer. The diagnosis was unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The contact was able to file a case with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Engine fault light illuminated and message appeared stating to have the vehicle serviced immediately. Upon inspection by the dealer service department, this problem was found to be with a portion of the electrical wiring harness which due to its placement had abraded causing a short and erroneous engine fault message. Ford currently has a recall for a similar/identical problem with other builds of this vehicle. It would seem that this recall should be expanded to include a wider manufacturing time frame. Owners who have paid for this repair should be reimbursed.
Two problems. 1.) remote start not working properly. It shuts itself off within 30seconds due to corrosion on negative terminal wiring to battery. Unknown cause why the corrosion would occur on my battery. I take care of my car and it is in the garage when not in use. 2.) engine suddenly stopped while driving. Unknown reason. Told that I need to have a software upgrade done to the computer system on my car, but not told if this would fix the stalling 100%. unclear why I would need to pay for an upgrade so my engine does not stall when driving. The car should work and drive without stalling. If I need a upgrade to the computer engine software so the car will not stall then I would expect this to be covered by Ford on a recall. This was very scary and dangerous to have your car suddenly stop working while driving without any prior warning. I did not get any signals that the engine was going to stop, it just stopped suddenly while driving on a city street after leaving work.
- Aurora, CO, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the windshield wipers malfunctioned. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was due to an electrical issue. The failure mileage was 60,700.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. After the ignition was turned to the off position, the vehicle continued to operate. The contact stated that the vehicle turned itself off and on independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V436000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. Once the vehicle was shifted into gear, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
While driving down the road about 50mph, the car lost all power and it actually felt as if the someone had depressed the brakes. Since I had not hit the brakes the car behind me did not see any brake lights and almost rammed me. The engine light came on briefly at some point but I can't remember exactly when. My car then stalled. I was able to drift to the side out of the way. I tried starting and it would not start. After about 15 minutes it did start up and drove perfectly fine. This has happened to me 3 times over the past couple of months. I searched recalls and found recall 14S17 and notified Ford. They said it doesn't cover my VIN. Why doesn't it" this is the problem I am having and it looks like many other people are experiencing the same issue. This has the potential to cause an accident, hurt someone or even cause death! my car was manufactured in Nov 2012 and the recall states that it covers Jan 2012 to April 2013 but not my vehicle. Why??"
** accident*** Ford dealer diagnosis found codes P2036 and P26B7 as map sensor and pefr wire and engine coolant bypass valve. The Ford dealer stated that this vehicle VIN#[xxx] is not under recall and wants over $1100 to repair. The NHTSA campaign number 15V813000 covers this vehicle's diagnosis made by Ford and should be recalled also under Ford's recall number 14S17-S1. I've called Ford Motor Corp. A second time 11/16/16 and was given case #11069892 and then transferred over to the dealer who again stated this vehicle is not covered under the recall. In the condition that this vehicle is at present I am seeking repairs under NHTSA campaign # 15V813000. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The myfordtouch system will sporadically shut down. At times this shut down is evidenced by a loud pop through the audio speakers, then the audio goes out and the bluetooth phone connection resets. Often it will display an error screen saying "shutting down to save battery" with a progress bar. That progress bar never finishes to the right before the system restarts. This will happen multiple times during a trip, with no similar characteristics between trips where this issue occurs (day/night, highway/city, warm/cold, driving or stopped, none of it matters) and I can't recreate it on demand. It will happen one day and then not for a week or two. The lack of ability to recreate means that the Ford dealer will not repair it. The Ford service rep suggested I replace the battery and on his advice I did. However, this not fix the problem. He tested the alternator, and checked for error codes all with no change in the situation. Ultimately it has been with the dealer 3 times for service, with no resolution. I have video of it occurring on 11/6/2016. It has happened as far back as July 2016. Most recent occurrence was today, 11/10/2016 date entered in field below is last time it happened.
I had gotten into my vehicle and after turning it on I managed to make it to my neighbors house. My vehicle for the second time started to over heat and the engine light came on and the vehicle was stating that I need to refill the coolant. I just parked it and the next day we had filled the coolant again taken it to get the error codes checked and were informed we need to get a new thermostat. When taking it to the mechanics they had tried everything from checking codes to driving my vehicle and they were unable to get the issue taken care of due to not being able to re-create the codes. They had informed me that this is a known issue with Ford, however when contacting Ford they have no idea what I am talking about. I checked online and see there is a recall for this, but my VIN even though having the qualifying manufacturing date is not eligible. I have had my vehicle for 1 1/2 years and have had it shut down on me, not have any power, start to put and stall, refilling coolant every so often, over heat, and I can never get a straight answer from the dealership. I have called for information in regards to recalls and these issues and am transferred to a person who is not there so I can leave a voice mail. I have never had a call returned. I just want to know what I have to do to understand what is going on with my vehicle. Why is my VIN not eligible as well?
Engine wiring assembly failure (CV62*14290 & CV62*12A690) at 29,000 miles. Advised by dealer service advisor vehicle too dangerous to drive as car may stall or stop. I first learned of this as I was driving on 4 lane highway, 10/8/16 & warning notice came on. Vehicle hesitated while on freeway. Sensor replaced at dealer. Problem recurred on 10/19/16. Again on interstate & engine hesitation, moved to right lane for fear of stall. Dealer diagnosed engine wiring assembly failure. I contacted Ford & was informed that my 1.6 engine not covered by similar recall (14S17) for 2.0 engine & car out of warranty. Ford customer service assigned a case number.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle randomly hesitated and stalled several times without warning. The dealer was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure, so the condition continued. The vehicle was later taken back to the dealer who indicated that the fuel canister and line assembly needed to be replaced. The parts were replaced by an independent mechanic, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer stated that they would investigate the failure. The contact was waiting for a solution from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart and resume driving. The failure recurred twice. In addition, when the vehicle stalled, smoke appeared inside the vehicle. The dealer was unable to locate a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front and rear doors appeared to be pushed out from the vehicle. In addition, the rear door hatch fractured and detached and the battery died. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new battery, the hatch handle needed to be soldered back on, and weather stripping needed to be added to the doors. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V495000 (electrical system), 14V597000 (air bags, seat belts), and 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle began to decrease in speed and was unable to accelerate. The dealer diagnosed that the engine, alternator, and wiring failed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 20 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact had to turn off the air conditioning in order for the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,043. Updated 12/20/16
Engine fault service now light comes on frequently. Dealership replace map sensor. Worked for one week. Continues to happen which causes car to hesitate and stall. Garage says I have to drive it there when message comes on without shutting it off as the code clears upon shut down. Impossible to continue to drive a stalling car on the freeway to the garage. Now the computer screen above the steeing wheel went out. Less than 40,000 miles on the car. Fault message occurs when starting the car. Continues to happen.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Southgate, MI, USA