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:
85,069 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 while driving at various speeds, the coolant indicator warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to sunnyside motor co., Inc. (944 main St, holden, MA 0152; (508) 829-4333) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant in the cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that engine coolant leaked from the vehicle with the engine coolant warning message on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he frequently refilled the coolant due to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12V551000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Loss of coolant approximately every 45 days. No visible signs of leakinf and a pressure test did not show any non visible leaks. Yet I have to refill after a low coolant error as stated. A google search found quite a few owners with the same problem on the 2013 model.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking coolant. The coolant warning light indicated coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to locate the area of the leak. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The consumer stated that coolant needs to be filled every 3 weeks due to leak.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving 40-45 mph, the vehicle stalled with the coolant and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to bill brown Ford (32222 Plymouth rd, livonia, mi 48150, (734) 399-4244) where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coolant stand pipe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure stated in NHTSA campaign number: 12V551000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was concerned that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The failure mileage was 122,000.
- Livionia, MI, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant leaked into the engine causing a misfire in cylinder #3. the check engine warning light and low coolant level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to marcotte Ford sales Inc (1025 main St, holyoke, MA 01040) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The failure was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he became aware a coolant leak coming from the engine. The contact also stated the coolant warning light would frequently illuminate on the instrument panel and required frequent replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact linked his failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.
My water pump suddenly died. No warning. I went from low on heating fluid to over heating in about a minute. I keep my car up to date on all services without fail. This is much sooner than it should fail. Plus the fact that Ford charges 4 times more than other cars.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 5 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 an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the antifreeze in the vehicle was depleting rapidly. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking antifreeze. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 12V551000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called town and country Ford at 205-491-0000, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000. Updated 10/17/18
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 40 mph, the contact noticed that the "coolant low service required" and "service engine" warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle began to stall. The contact drove to a fuel station and bought coolant for the vehicle. After adding the coolant with the vehicle parked for no more than five minutes, the contact started the vehicle. The "coolant low service" warning message was no longer illuminated; however, the "service engine" indicator was still illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The next day, the contact drove the vehicle to sames Ford (6001 san dario ave, Laredo, tx 78041) where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The dealer repaired the water pump, but the failure recurred three weeks later. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to continue to work with the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a total of three times to have the water pump, coolant box, and radiator hose repaired. The vehicle was not repaired and the failures still occurred. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. The contact planned to take the vehicle back to the dealer today. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant/antifreeze constantly had to be added to the coolant/antifreeze reservoir. Initially, coolant was added once every month, but progressed to once every two weeks. The contact stated that there was no visible evidence of a coolant leak on the ground under the vehicle or any odor of burning coolant/antifreeze. Ray skillman hoosier Ford (333 robert curry dr, martinsville, in 46151, (765) 342-3673) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V551000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was stationary, coolant leaked from the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated without warning. The dealer replaced the coolant, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,500.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a premature coolant leak. The vehicle overheated and was unable to be driven. The dealer diagnosed that the coolant valve prematurely fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer excluded the vehicle from a recall to address the coolant valve. The dealer asked the contact to pick up the vehicle after receiving the repair. The manufacturer provided no solution. The failure mileage was not available.
Driving down road on cold snowy day. Coolant arrow went from C to H in less than 5 seconds and engine shut down into safety mode meaning it would not travel over 5 mph. Limped to side of road. Felt engine - cold to the touch. Plenty of coolant in engine and reservoir. Car sat for five minutes. Started car again. Coolant arrow again went from C to H in less than 5 minutes. Car in safety mode again. Towed car to dealer. They could see the code number and "something" happened to the engine. They reset the code and car went out of safety mode. Dealership cannot provide an answer, only it "must be an electrical problem". searching the web, it appears this model and year Ford has been having the same problem (as described) for several years. Vehicle was in motion when everything went bad. Luckily we were not on the highway and was able to pull to the side of the road. I was given little notice of the safety mode. I wish had I had the code number the dealership said they reset. Thank you
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the low coolant light illuminated, the temperature started running hot, and the service engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 71,000.
My 2013 Ford Escape keeps shutting off while in motion and also when stopped at a stop sign or stop light. Has happened several times and started sometime in June, 2014. Happens regardless of how slow or fast I am moving in the vehicle. Took vehicle into my local service department for a scheduled check up and mentioned the issue and they could not find anything wrong. The problem continued. Called Ford corporate in September and logged a formal complaint. They said there was nothing that could be done until parts became available. They could not send appropriate parts until they could figure out what is going wrong. Then they said a recall would be issued the end of September and parts would be available for fixes then. Called local Ford service on 10/10/2014 and they claim parts still have not come and could be another week. This same issue seems to be happening to other 2013 models around the country. Ford has been very slow about acknowledging but when pressed they seem to give partial acknowledgment but still no promises. This is a dangerous issue for drivers. Can something be done" is Ford going to be allowed to let this go on until someone has a serious accident or dies"
Following service performed for recalls for possible coolant leak / engine fire, engine fault codes for low coolant began to display. Visual confirmation of low coolant in reservoir. Added coolant to proper level several times at weekly intervals while driving approx. 200 miles per week. Loss of coolant was not an issue until the recall servicing was done. Three or four service visit attempts to fully diagnose and resolve have resulted a replaced water pump (that leaked during pressure test). This most recent low coolant engine fault message occurred after four weeks post-new water pump. I am returning for another service visit in an attempt to fully and finally resolve the issue.
My vehicle was hesitating acting like it wasn't getting power and then it would and then it wouldn't at which time the check engine light was on but the sync on the vehicle was showing all systems are normal. We took our vehicle to a dealership where we found there was a recall that could do these things. How ever they cannot fix or guarantee this is the problem since Ford corporate has not told them how to check this or fix it. Ford dealership. Informed us there has been no fatalities from this yet so we should be ok to take the car until they get this information out to dealerships sometime in late September. The Ford corporate says unless the dealership finds it unsafe then they would figure something out. The dealership says without knowing what to check they cant say whether it is safe or unsafe. If your car can stall and possibly cause an accident as they say in the recall that sounds pretty unsafe. Our car is now sitting at a dealership because nobody will fix or guarantee the safety with the recall but no way to get it fixed.
2013 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle continuous to have issues related to recall. The consumer stated the radio would shut off and would not turn back on. When it shut off, a 911 error message appeared. The speaker volume would get high and then go low. The consumer also noticed, the engine coolant level dropped below the minimum level on several occasions, which resulted in the engine light illuminating. The dealer found a leak, which was caused by the washer not sealing properly. The consumer stated prior to the recall, there were no issues with coolant loss.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Princeton, MA, USA