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.
8.8
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,500
Average Mileage:
60,900 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
cut wiring harness and splice (2 reports)
not sure (1 reports)
replace wiring harness (1 reports)
rusty pins in ecm/tcm case that was warped (1 reports)
For the first 7 years, I parked my 2013 Escape in a garage and never had a wiring issue. When my son came home from college, I gave him my spot in the garage and parked in the driveway. During COVID, I was also working from home and using the car infrequently, so it sat in the driveway for a few days at a time between uses. Finally, when I started seeing an issue with getting into gear and power issues, it was too late. I looked under hood and sure enough, the squirrels in my yard had built a nest in my engine and chewed through insulation on my transmission wires. I was able to get the car to limp into my mechanic's garage to diagnose, he shared with my the problem, which is the soy based insulation that the Ford uses in these wiring cables. Now 3 years later I am on assignment in Washington, DC, and the local rats have done the same thing. This is not an isolated issue as multiple Ford vehicles have the same problem and there is no recall on these defective cables and harnesses. Is this what they mean by being "Ford Tough". This will probably run me another $2000 to fix, unless Ford want to admin this is a faulty component. Is there an aftermarket solution to replacing these wires?
Car would stall intermittently. Told dealer about recall and they fixed for free. Now, same problem has returned with different symptoms. Code P0236 sets but will not store. Shutting off engine and restarting fixes temporarily until next time it happens. TSB 13-12-12 is recommended for this code which looks like same splice location that was repaired before.
Now it is my problem and will have to pay only if dealer can get symptoms to act up. It never does for them. I'm going to request they give me the kit for free and I will do the repair myself. Then it will get done correctly. I was ASE certified for 25 years until my back went out.
Update from Sep 2, 2021: Same problem occurred again at about 47000 this year. Ford would not honor a 2nd recall, so I tested and fixed myself. I inspected the splices first, figuring a half ass job, but they were done well. I disconnected boost sensor wire and connector B in ECM/TCM box. The wire had good continuity. But the pins at ECM were rusty. The plastic case was warped and is in front of left wheel well (great place for electrical). So I plugged and unplugged 6 times, duct taped the case with a gaping hole from war-page, and no problems since.
Who puts the most critical computer in front of a wheel well? If they had added 2 more bolts at top of case, it would have never warped and stayed water tight.
Getting error code p0236 and I have been for years randomly when starting the vehicle. It is extremely annoying and after looking at all of the articles about the issue I feel like it should be a recall. It appears to be a wire splice issue TSB-13-12-12. They do have a map issue that was covered by the emissions warranty but I'm well past 80k now.
Our 2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0 has been a nightmare to own from day one. The latest recall #14s17, engine wiring harness splice, came two years too late. Just look at the recall list and this is only what they are forced to report on so far. Ford has been fully aware of the issues owners of Ford products are having but seem overwhelmed and unable to effectively address them.
DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH FORD!! Document everything and sue them. Ford, and others do not care about your safety! This becomes readily apparent when you call their customer service and visit their dealers' service departments. They only understand when it affects their sales and costs them money. If your Ford has become dangerous to drive, have it towed at their expense, get demo to drive, etc.I have sued them so far for $15,000 and have gotten paid by a lemon law lawyer. To those that are thinking of buying their product, beware, you are in for an experience. Corporate greed has taken over our auto industry. I recommend buying a quality foreign car until this gets addressed and research before you buy. If you already own one as we do, I am sorry, I feel your pain. Get rid of it before someone you love gets hurt by driving it!
Wiring harness is faulty on a 2013. I don't understand how that can be. They had to removed a lot of parts on the last recall. I am just saying. Now there is a problem and nowhere I can find anyone else that has had this problem. PLEASE tell me that this can occur. I am not impressed with this.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
For the first 7 years, I parked my 2013 Escape in a garage and never had a wiring issue. When my son came home from college, I gave him my spot in the garage and parked in the driveway. During COVID, I was also working from home and using the car infrequently, so it sat in the driveway for a few days at a time between uses. Finally, when I started seeing an issue with getting into gear and power issues, it was too late. I looked under hood and sure enough, the squirrels in my yard had built a nest in my engine and chewed through insulation on my transmission wires. I was able to get the car to limp into my mechanic's garage to diagnose, he shared with my the problem, which is the soy based insulation that the Ford uses in these wiring cables. Now 3 years later I am on assignment in Washington, DC, and the local rats have done the same thing. This is not an isolated issue as multiple Ford vehicles have the same problem and there is no recall on these defective cables and harnesses. Is this what they mean by being "Ford Tough". This will probably run me another $2000 to fix, unless Ford want to admin this is a faulty component. Is there an aftermarket solution to replacing these wires?
- Dave F., Mendota Heights, MN, US