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 engine will randomly stall and turn off displaying the red oil lamp and red battery light. This happens when the car is cold and has just turned on, and started to move.
Vehicle overheated numerous times while in motion and at rest on the highway and on city streets. Temperature spiked suddenly at random. Checked coolant levels. Coolant was low, so additional coolant was added. Happened 3 times before taking into Ford dealer. Engine was torn down to block. Coolant line was found leaking into engine. Coolant was found in cylinder 3. a groove formed in the engine block. Head gasket failed because of this. According to the Ford dealership, nothing could have been done to cause or prevent this. There was no way of knowing that the damage was occuring. Spoke with Ford representatives. Since the vehicle was approx. 12,000 miles outside of warranty, no repairs or reimbursement would be provided by them. Spoke with the extended warranty reps. Because the part that initially failed was a non-lubricated part, no services would be covered. The cost to repair the engine is $9,411. Cost to tear the engine apart and diagnose was $1585.08. Bought this vehicle at 62,000 miles in good faith that this was a reliable vehicle. All service was done on time with recommended service, with service records on hand
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the engine shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. When the driver attempted to drive the vehicle, the temperature warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the heater hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,015.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and the "engine malfunction" indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle's temperature warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled over and discovered that there was no coolant in the reservoir. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the heating element had failed. The vehicle was repaired, but vehcile still leaks coolant. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 83,058. Updated 06/02/17
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coolant bypass valve needed to be replaced. The contact also took the vehicle to two other independent mechanics who provided the same diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Our 1.6L Escape's check engine light came on. Dealer diagnosed bad oxygen sensor w/fix cost of $350 & although we had both a premium pre-paid maintenance plan & extended warranty in effect, both dealer & Ford indicated this emissions repair was not covered (Ford extended warr. To 75K mi due to # of recalls). We could not afford dealer cost so forced to seek alternative shop or car would fail emissions inspection. Repair shop stated root cause of bad sensor was fluid dripping from directly above sensor which due to extensive buildup, appeared to be long time problem (which Ford dealer never noticed in 73K miles of regular servicing??!!). this car is a total piece of crap. Given 14 recalls, 89 tsbs & nearly 600 complaints, Ford should be forced to buy these cars back!
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer could not identify the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
2013 Ford Escape sel stalling when accelerating from a stop. This has happened several times with my wife driving the car. We've taken it into the local Ford dealership only to be told they cant replicate issue. Driving the car to work today (my wife now drives my car for safety concerns), the Escape hesitated when pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road. Have another appointment to have it looked at but will probably be told that it can't be replicated. This car only has 60K miles and is totally worthless, and unsafe to drive.
Driving my 2013 Ford Escape sel with only 52000 miles on it home from shopping in reno, Nevada. I was in washoe valley, nv when I though the high winds were keeping my car from speeding up, when I could not accelerate I pulled to the slow lane and then onto the shoulder. I put the car in park and look at my dash to see if I was overheating or any other issues were apparent. My dash showed nothing wrong at all. No lights or warnings of any kind. The gages were all running normal. I put my car in park and within a second or two a large very black billow of smoke came up back part of the engine nearest to he drivers side window. Then second later larger fire flames came right behind it that went over the top of my car. My car went up in flames in just moments. I had to jump from the burning car to safely.
While driving down the road out of no where the check engine light comes on. Right after the light came on the low coolant information light came on and five seconds later the car started getting sluggish and the information light came on again saying engine temperature to hot pull over safety.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the low coolant and check engine indicators illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the coolant was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 90,000.
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.
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.
Car stalled four times in two days. Each time the car was warmed up and was restarted then stalled on the road.Ford has a recall on the non-turbo charged Escape for this problem. My car is not included.my vehicle is the 1.6 liter turbo.Ford dealer says computer did not indicate a trouble code. They are replacing throttle body work not complete at this time.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the low coolant warning indicator illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact noticed a puddle of coolant on the ground and the coolant was below the minimum line. The failure occurred five other times. The contact stated that the vehicle only experienced this failure when there was extended driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a hose needed to be replaced. The specific hose was not disclosed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that a warning indicator illuminated, indicating that the coolant levels were low. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer four separate times for the same issue. The dealer diagnosed that the long block needed to be replaced due to the coolant leaking into the engine. The engine was replaced; however, the coolant was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 125V551000 (engine and engine cooling) and 12V4310000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 45,161. Updated 03/15/17
Ford chq extended the warranty on 2013 Escapes due to numerous issues. During this warranty period, my emissions sensor failed, needs to be replaced & Ford is refusing to repair it stating 'emissions is excluded from this warranty'. the repair cost is $375 & my car will not pass emissions inspection until it's fixed. The problem remains unresolved until/unless Ford fixes it. A 3 yr old car should not have an emissions problem unless there are defective parts (in which case Ford should pay to resolve). Note the extended warranty letter from Ford does not specify any exclusions.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 mph, the engine stalled without any warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA