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:
8 / 61
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,047 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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 50 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to ray varner Ford (2026 N charles G seivers blvd, clinton, tn 37716, (865) 457-0704), but the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 90,600.
The engine is stalling when switching gears, and is causing a safety issue while driving. It has previously been in the repair shop and still is unable to switch gears without causing the car to stall, as if there is an issue with the transmission but the tests are not supporting that it is being caused by normal wear and tear. The car only has 48K miles.
Occasionally when leaving parking lots, my 2013 Ford Escape engine will cut out and stall causing you to have to turn off and restart the vehicle. Usually the vehicle will start right back up and operate completely fine after that, but occasionally it takes a little longer to start up. Once the vehicle is on the road or highway, it seems to be ok. This issue has only happened in parking lots or when pulling out of a stationery space and it does not happen every single time making the issue hard to recreate.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled and the coolant warning indicator illuminated. The contact noticed steam under the hood. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, turned off the engine, and allowed it to cool off. Afterwards, the steam was no longer present. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the coolant was dripping onto the exhaust, which caused the steam. As a result, the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,992.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle overheated and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 12V551000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer (jim burke Ford automall, 5300 gasoline alley dr suite B, bakersfield, ca 93313) where it was diagnosed that the cooling valve failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 76,069.
When driving on a highway the vehicle suddenly slowed down and the throttle did not work. I pulled off, shut the engine and restarted the car. It then ran ok. The same thing happened 2 other times - as if the gas pedal did not work. I saw on internet that Escapes has a history of throttle problems, including my year. I took it to the Ford dealer in columbia mo and they said, based on the VIN #, that my car was supposedly not affected by this throttle issue. They said they could do nothing but charge me to replace the electronic throttle control. This is wrong. I could get seriously injured if this happens again but Ford takes no responsibilty for a known problem.
The coolant bypass valve was replaced in 2014 as part of a recall. In July 2018 the car overheated and went into limp mode while driving in a residential area. Car had to be towed to the dealership. Dealership says it's the bypass valve again and needs to be replaced.
This has happened now (2) separate times a month apart. While driving down the road at 70-75 mph the vehicle will loose power and tell me to pull over. I am not able to restart vehicle and the engine temperature will spike to hot. This all happens in a matter of seconds with little or no time to react and pull vehicle to a safe spot. There has been radiator fluid pouring over the engine on both times this has happened and is now costing me a lot of money to fix. I feel that this is an issue with the Escape in general and not with just mine.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the coolant warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (fox Toyota of Cadillac, 1490 N mitchell St, Cadillac, mi 49601, (231)-779-1784) where several diagnostic tests were completed, but no failure was found. The contact stated that unknown repairs were completed, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,825.
Continual loss of coolant. I took car to dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to determine reason for coolant loss. No noticeable evidence of loss such as drips or pools of coolant. No experience of stalling or overheating as long as I replace lost coolant once it reaches "add coolant" level, which occurs about every 4-6 months. I am not sure when this first occurred as my coolant was "topped off" with every oil change every 6 months. Since I no longer drive many miles I do not change oil every 6 months and started noticing the low coolant levels myself in June 2017 and have been adding coolant myself since then.
I came to a stop at a stop sign in my subdivision, and my car stalled out. I thought the problem was the battery so I tried to restart, but it failed. I smelled gas so I got out of the car and started seeing smoke under the hood. The smoke got worse quickly and caught fire within 2 minutes. The front of the car was engulfed in flames shortly after, for roughly five minutes, and it was eventually totaled.
Around 10 months ago we put a new transmission in this car at a Ford dealership, two weeks later the car overheated. $750 later we know it the engine is cracked. Still owe like $9,000 on it... this car had all oil changes and everything has needed.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rye Ford (1151 boston post rd, rye, NY 10580, (914) 967-6300) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. No further assistance was offered. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
Engine cooling system fails blocking the water pump, when this part locks the serpentine belt breaks and car overheats, creating a lot of problems inside the engine, car can catch fire too, very unsafe vehicle especially for people with kids
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
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (courtesy Ford, 455 providence rd, brooklyn, ct 06234, (860)-774-3673) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Knoxville, TN, USA