Print this page

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:
3 / 14
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,868 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.

2013 Ford Escape electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 8 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #170

May 102018

Escape

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. my front bumper came apart 2 weeks after purchase at a place where the metal was welded and then came halfway of all pieces fell off attached to front bumper and no collision took place however when I backed up out of the parking space it caught on the curb and pulled apart even more. 2. since purchase after fill up the engine cranks however will not turn over without applying a little gas. 3. now yesterday I have too turn on ignition twice to start everytime I need to turn on the car. 4. I also had 5 recalls the dealership did not make me aware of fixed ( they only said rear seatbelts had to be replaced) well shortly after I purchased 3 doors wouldn't latch I had to rope my doors shut until I could get into sewel Ford. My family has been in so much danger in this vehicle. I am a 40 year old disabled woman with 3 children, my step -dad is blind, my brother is terminally ill and needless to say I need a reliable vehicle in one piece. I have filed a complaint with the attorney general and the dmv responded that an investigation has been set out to determine how much of this is manufacture defect and what part the dealership played by non- disclosure of remaining recalls making me believe they were concerned for our safety by fixing the rear seat belts.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #169

Jun 012016

Escape

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine coolant and temperature warning indicators kept intermittently flashing. The contact refilled the coolant fluid and the warning indicators went off. As the failure progressed, the vehicle hesitated, there was a loss of power, an abnormal noise was heard, and the temperature high warning indicator illuminated. The contact made an appointment with maxwell Ford (512-916-2661, 5000 S ih 35 frontage rd, austin, tx 78745) on November 19, 2018 to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. Consumer stated there were signs of engine overheating. The engine coolant has been issue since purchasing the vehicle.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #168

Feb 112017

Escape

  • 122,000 miles
Takata recall my vehicle had endless issues and problems. I would drive a mile or so to gas station, turn off car, get gas and then the car wouldn't start or drive 15 miles, do a job, 30 minutes later get in and the car wouldn't start. It took several times for the vehicle to turn over and then stay running. I would throw it into gear to get the engine running and sometimes it'd be fine, other times it would bog down and stall. I got into an accident and my car was totaled. I had mechanics look at the issue and they would say the O2 sensor, wastegate solenoid or evap leak. They would nickel and dime me with all these little things. The codes were, P0234, P26B7 and P0456. They said coolant was getting into the fuel system and that was contributing to the stalling and problems. I had to see a chiropractor after my accident due to spinal pain and discomfort. However, it was worth this getting rid of this lemon once and for all. If anyone else is experiencing these problems, post the fix so that it can save someone else from financial, emotional and physical pain. I didn't let anyone drive my vehicle(wife/family) because I never knew when it would stall and where.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #167

Nov 042018

Escape

  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I will be driving my car and randomly my car stalls and the engine seizes and the car shuts off. I can turn it off and back on but it continuously happens, it has happened in traffic before and I've had to avoid multiple accidents. Also if my car is idle for 3-5 minutes and on it also will stall and again I have to turn it off and back on.

- Joppa, MD, USA

problem #166

Oct 022017

Escape 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,043 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an internal leak within the coolant system which was going into the area of the engine assembly. The vehicle had been taken to several dealers who had been unable to provide a permanent remedy and more recently crossroads Ford Lincoln of southern pines (1590 us-1, southern pines, nc 28387, 1-(910) 692-8765) was notified to determine if they may be able to check with the manufacturer to determine a solution to prevent the failure. The vehicle was not repaired yet. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available.

- Pinehurst, NC, USA

problem #165

Jan 202018

Escape

  • miles
The car hesitates sometimes when pressing the gas, mostly from the stopped position. For instance I've been driving and stop at a stop sign, check for oncoming traffic on the cross street(which does not have a stop sign/signal), when it is safe to proceed I press the gas to cross the intersection and the car slowly rolls out into the intersection and then finally after rolling for a few seconds will pick up and go. This happens while I'm pressing down on the gas pedal all the way. It's very dangerous while trying to cross a street with oncoming traffic. I've tried lifting my foot and pressing back down when the car doesn't move like it's supposed to and it doesn't work. It's only started doing this in the last year or so maybe and it doesn't happen every time, but very scary when it does happen, especially when I have my kids in the car. I've also had it happen when I've been on the freeway and have had to slow down from taking an exit onto another freeway and when trying to get back up to speed and it like it takes it a minute for the car to realize it's supposed to be accelerating.

- Brawley, CA, USA

problem #164

Jul 242018

Escape

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. On two occasions, while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle until approximately two hours later. The vehicle was towed to #1 cochran Ford of allegheny valley (located at 110 route 908, natrona heights, pa 15065, (877) 844-2719) where it was diagnosed that there was corrosion to the fuse and wires, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

- Natrona Heights, PA, USA

problem #163

Sep 222018

Escape

  • 79,000 miles
The engine stalls out in the middle of the highway. It has done this off and on for 2 out of the 3 years ive had it. Also, mysteriously runs low on coolant and ive been getting warning signals telling me engine temperature is dangerously high, even if I just start the car!

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #162

Sep 072018

Escape

  • 102,000 miles
Display will read engine fault service now and then the car will seem like it restarts, it will next read transmission not in park, this will happen while I'm driving 75 mph down the freeway. I took the car into the Ford dealership and they replaced the wiring harness that was recalled, but it didn't fix the issue.

- Kingman, AZ, USA

problem #161

Jul 302018

Escape

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and the battery, heat, and oil warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that the failures occurred three times. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact powered off the engine. Once restarted, the vehicle drove normally. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #160

Apr 202017

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a used 2013 Ford Escape from dealership on 3/9/17. Car had 1 previous owner and 29265 miles on it. By 4/20/17 the car would not start while stationary with no indication of anything being wrong. I had the dealership look at it immediately when this happened after getting it towed by aaa whom also tested the starter and battery everything was reading normal. The car started on its own. And the dalership coukd find tge problem and told me to bring it back if this happened again. A week later it happened again while the car was stationary at cvs after being driven for 10 minutes I called the dealership and aaa, after waiting 45 minutes for aaa to arrive I try starting the car several times with no avail until I see aaa pulling into the cvs parking lot I tested turned the key 1 more time and the car started. The aaa tech checked the starter and battery again everthing read normal. I drove to the dealership and left with the same outcome of them not knowing what is wrong. This problem continued until my warranty ran out and the dealership said they could not help me anymore because the car is still driveable. I tried exercising the lemon law by reporting the dealership to office of Consumer Affairs and business regulation and was told they can only mediate and not much coukd be done because my warranty was over. Here we are 8/12/2018 and the car still has problems and will start after waiting anywhere from 5 minutes to 3 hours also it, constantly leaks atifreeze and has to be refilled every few weeks during the summer months the car will say " high temperature coolant low" out of the blue without any indication from the temperature gauge. I dont know what to do and dont have the time or money to deal with this.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #159

Jun 292018

Escape

  • 109,000 miles
My kids and I were in the drive thru at schlotzky's when I put my car in 'park' to order. Once my order was complete and I was ready to pull forward, I went to put my car in 'drive' and the gear stick was moving freely but not shifting the gears for my car to move. A team member from the restaurant came out to give me a hand to find that my shifter cable was disconnected. He then told me to use the emergency brake to park my car so it would park and not continue in motion when I wanted to park. We then took it to mieneke where the car previously was for a transmission replacement. They said that my shifter cable had gone bad. Now my gear stick gets stuck with trying to shift gears.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #158

Jul 012018

Escape

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed drops of fluid emerging from the engine compartment. While driving approximately 55 mph, smoke emerged from the engine compartment into the vehicle cabin. The contact puledl over to the shoulder and called roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (frontier Ford, 3701 stevens creek blvd, santa clara, California, (408) 241-1800) where it was diagnosed that a wiring harness was burnt and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #157

May 312018

Escape

  • 85,000 miles
I have already submitted one statement. I am just wondering why my vehicle wasn't included on the recalls listed below when it sounds like the exact kind of problem I have been having with my vehicle. When started it doesn't take off and get up to speed without hesitation and stalling. And when I do get up to speed it loses power at the most inopportune time I have been in several near accidents due to the engine not running properly. The codes that have been coming up. And the check engine suggestions. Have been tested by four different mechanics none of which could fall find a problem till recently. And I'm being told that the turbo boost code is been caused by faulty wiring which is happened to be totally replaced. As per my other statement I am having it repaired tomorrow but not being reimbursed. And if other 2013 Ford Escape drivers have had this issue there may be some unrecorded desk due to the engine stalling on the highway and the inconsistent running up the engine when these codes pop up. The codes are also sporadic as I said in my other statement. One time you turn the car on and have a problem shut it off and the next time the codes are cleared. I have been living with this daily for a month

- Hugoton, KS, USA

problem #156

May 312018

Escape

  • 85,000 miles
Engine light and service engine soon message appeared. Car stalling and won't accelerate. Took to victory Ford in Kansas City after 5 hours they couldn't figure out what the problem was other than replacing the sensor. Hundred and $69 for the diagnosis. I was out of town so baby. Did it all the way back home had a local dealership put the sensor in. Another $74.. in the meantime engine code would sporadically disappear. And reappear period for no apparent reason. Had the local dealership check the code again keeps reading turbo problems. They're Ford machine was down so I took it to a dealership in the next town. Specific coding showed that is a wiring and splice problem. In the meantime I've almost been run over several times because the car won't accelerate when the code is thrown. If there's a problem with the wiring harness it should have been covered under a recall which I've been told it is not. And tomorrow dealership is replacing all of the splicing and wiring for another $450. I'm afraid that the problem may have caused other issues. But won't know until after the original problem is fixed. I feel like a couple of the wiring issues that have been recalled already should have included this. And forward should have to reimburse me for my cost since this is obviously a manufacture problem and not normal wear and tear when car is in motion there is a whirring sound I've been told is due to the electrical problem.

- Hugoton, KS, USA

problem #155

Jun 062018

Escape

  • 119,480 miles
Whilst driving on streets and highways, at least 1 month, me and my wife began noticing 2013 Ford Escape 1.6 hesitate! and stall, several times on and off streets and highways.PCM, module is sending incorrect signals, codes read, com needs reprogramming, also coolant system leaks!, may be causing over heating, and fire in engine compartment, water pump went out, Wednesday June 6th 2018, car is now at Ford dealership, for, investigation into recall work. That may have not been performed. Prior to sale to dealership where we purchased it. We would like any updated information about recall repairs performed by fleet?, company that sold it to super auto sales., including calibration and over heat software to prevent over heating etc., along with 13 other original recalls that should have already been performed, and some record who recall repairs were performed by etc. Also the driver and passenger seatback recliner mechanism has insufficient strength, becomes loose and leaning while I'm driving on streets and highways, this been since purchased under a year ago pre-owned 100,486 miles on odometer. Also constant smell of strong gas coming from engine compartment, low gas mileage, significant loose of engine coolant, etc.as mentioned prior in my compliant, full line and fuel pump may need service, because of strong gas fumes in and around vehicle. Thanks for your time. This happened over a period of a month till it broke down and we had it towed, we just found out about recall, and wad not told it was needed or had been performed by super auto sales in modesto ca. Dealership we purchased pre owned vehicle is super auto sales 4312 disk rd. Modesto ca. 95356 (ph: 209-689-5455),

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #154

Jun 062018

Escape

  • 33,900 miles
Engine wiring harness and sensor problems in 2013 Ford Escape with 2.0 liter engine that was not included in previous safety recall. While on a vacation trip in February, 2018, the engine fault warning light came on in our 2013 Ford Escape titanium with the 2.0 liter engine after restarting the car and entering the highway. It was followed by the check engine light. As we drove to the nearest Ford dealership, the car was increasingly hesitating and seemed to be misfiring, a dangerous situation since highway driving was required. The service technician at the dealership did an analysis and determined that the problem was in the map sensor. He replaced that sensor under warranty and the problem was apparently fixed until June 4, 2018, when identical problems appeared after a stop on a local trip.the car was parked at a safe location and on June 6 driven to a local dealership for service and repair. Analysis by the technician showed that there are problems in the engine wiring harness that are disrupting signals from the map sensor and the cam sensor, and that replacement of the complete engine wiring harness is required to fix the problem. Although this car was built during the same period as the cars covered by NHTSA campaign number 14V495000 and it has the same engine specifications and the same apparent problems, it was not included in that recall. It is clear to me it should have been. Further, it seems there are potential significant safety concerns regarding all 2013 and 2014 Ford Escapes with the 2.0 liter engine that were not included in the original recall.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #153

Apr 222018

Escape

  • 143,955 miles
2013 Ford Escape SE bought 3/29/17at the time the 12V DC power outlet, aux port & usb port did not work. 4/22/2018 the vehicle stopped on the pa turnpike immediately after I received a warning 'high engine temperature, please stop vehicle safely'. service appointment for 4/25/18 & was informed that there was a recall on the engine coolant bypass symptoms, issues with the water pump & 2-3 other issues that were all covered under Ford recalls &Ford wexford would fix it on 4/30/18. 5/4/18 informed that they had not been able to contact Ford wexford for an update. I contacted Ford wexford & was informed that they did not have a 2013 Ford Escape to repair. I received a call back informing me that Ford wexford was unaware that the SUV was at their lot since 4/30/18 & they would not be able to service it until the following week. 5/10/17 I picked up the SUV and within 24 hours started having additional problems/signals including the service engine, seatbelt, battery, brakes, hill assist not available, high engine temperature stop safely and the speedometer not functioning. I contacted jd byrider was told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and that it could possibly be the battery, starter or alternator. I was told to take it to auto zone to have a computer diagnostic. I returned the vehicle 5/17 & was informed that the vehicle would have to go back to Ford wexford. I spoke with andy at Ford wexford and he informed me that the SUV had a wiring issues they weren't able to fix, that the SUV would need a new computer system and that this would be 1-2 weeks. I was also told they had a call out to Ford co. To discuss their concerns. On 5/31/18 I received a call informing me that the SUV needed a new computer system, that it was not covered under my warranty and that the cost would be $1100.

- Monroeville, PA, USA

problem #152

May 232018

Escape

  • miles
When I turned on the car to get back home from the grocery store the screen showed "steering wheel at fault." The steering wheel was very hard to turn and I had to get home so I managed to get the car to the house. The next morning, the same thing happened again and because of this problem I could not take my car to a trip where I had already planned, now I can't drive it to work either, it has been two days and the same problem remains.

- Balch Springs, TX, USA

problem #151

May 132018

Escape

  • 89,000 miles
Recently it died while driving on a busy highway. I was extremely lucky that I could get off the road, and that there was not a major accident. My car turns over, but will not restart. After my mechanic had it for a day, he contacted me stating it has an electrical problem and that he was calling the Ford dealership, due to it being faulty and that they should fix it. I then was called back and he confirmed with auburn Ford, in auburn, can, that there was a recall that could fix the problem and that the dealer had to do the repairs, why I called Ford, I was told there was only 1-recall for the doors. After I told him the mechanic was told there were 2, he changed his story. He then said there were 2-recalls, but neither would fix my car. He then started I would need to pay $ to have them diagnose it.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?