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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,530 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. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant low warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she refilled the coolant reservoir; however, the coolant low and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Auto Zone and was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the head gasket failed to seal properly letting coolant into the combustion chamber causing misfire to the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for routine maintenance, she was informed by the technician that the coolant overflow bottle was low. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low coolant warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed that the VIN was previously included in an unknown coolant leak recall and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. The vehicle did not receive a second repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after the dealer had completed an unknown recall on the vehicle, a message indicating that the engine was overheating was displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where an unknown repair was completed; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the message "Low Coolant" was displayed. The contact stated that she had been adding coolant to the vehicle every month. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times, and unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the water pump, several coolant system hoses and clamps were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic diagnosed that there was a coolant leak, but the source of the leak was not determined. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly, and she had been adding coolant to the vehicle every week. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on various occasions, she noticed that the coolant level was low but had not seen a fluid leak. The contact then stated that after starting the vehicle, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed and the temperature gauge rose rapidly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak, and the coolant was refilled. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer for further diagnostic tests and repair. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle had not been taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started overheating. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing similar failure as listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. There was no additional assistance provided. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 175,000.
- Albion, IN, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in the morning, there was a large puddle of coolant accumulated underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the leak had become constant, and she had to always keep a gallon of coolant in her vehicle. The contact stated that the "engine coolant low" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was not able to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the engine coolant failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the message to add coolant started flashing consistently causing the contact to add coolant to the vehicle more than usual. The contact stated that while the vehicle was running, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no fire and the smoke dispersed independently. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, she noticed that coolant had leaked on the ground and that the coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that upon inspection, she noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty and needed to be refilled every week. The vehicle was taken to and independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant leaked out of the engine and a protective cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,771.
11507580 -?" Consumer attempted to use the website to file the complaint. Attempt was not successful. The consumers computer battery was depleted. The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was a "Stop - Service Engine Immediately-?? message flashing on and off. The contact stated that she was able to add some water from a water bottle to the coolant reservoir and the engine temperature lowered and the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure and occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the heater control valves needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that coolant was leaking from the coolant lines and caused the stalling. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact's mother owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his mother driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that his mother also noticed that the heater had stopped blowing hot air through the vents. The contact stated that his mother drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that coolant had intruded into the engine block and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer stated that it was a known failure for similar vehicles. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact checked the coolant level, and the coolant reservoir was full. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the temperature gauge began to rise rapidly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after he parked the vehicle, he noticed coolant leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination and added coolant to the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and the overheat fault message was displayed. Additionally, an abnormal antifreeze odor was detected while driving, and the contact had to keep adding antifreeze occasionally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the cylinder head cup plug was leaking antifreeze. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 58,900.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact called on behalf of his son who owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine was constantly overheating, with the coolant and engine oil level constantly low. The coolant level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was it was diagnosed that the engine block was cracked, and that coolant and oil was leaking into the engine block. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
My car stopped moving at full power while driving due to the engine overheating. My engine coolant warning came on that it was low. This has happened several times since I have owned this car. I have been given many different reasons for my engine coolant dropping over the years when I take it for service including the following: 1. Turbo line 2. Turbo unit 3. O-ring 4. couldn't find the leak, likely the cap was loose... This time when I brought it in they say it is an internal engine leak. Over the years, I have smelled burning and as I look into other recalls, it appears I have the same issue that was addressed with recall 13S12-S2. This incident started in 2015, happened twice in 2018, 2020 and the last incident and most severe happened 1/
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine temperature gauge suddenly indicated the engine had overheated and an audible alarm was activated. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle independently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the coolant control sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the sensors were replaced three times however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 79,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that she smelled antifreeze upon entering her vehicle. The contact opened the hood and discovered that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant and resumed normal driving. The contact then stated that while driving at slow speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact opened the hood and saw that the coolant reservoir was nearly empty. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that the engine coolant bypass valve was defective. The mechanic then informed her that the part was under warranty and referred her to the dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and both informed her that the vehicle was not under warranty or recall for the defect. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The coolant detector would not accurately detect the coolant level. The coolant reservoir needed to be refilled weekly. The ABS warning system would chime and illuminate whenever the vehicle was started, and the vehicle would fail to move. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle several times, the ABS warning light turned off and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping out of the park(P) into drive(D). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the wheel hub bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the wheel hub bearings were replaced four times and the front axles were replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The message "Warning. Pull Over" was displayed. The contact stated that she waited 10-30 minutes for the vehicle to cool down. The vehicle was then restarted and operated as needed. However, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed several times due to the failure to restart. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics where an unknown valve and the coolant flange housing were replaced, and other unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Gratiot, MI, USA