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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:
1 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,753 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.

2013 Ford Escape fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2013 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #214

Dec 302022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While accelerating the car repeatedly hesitates, but keeps on going. It is like a hiccup, never stopping. Called the dealer he wanted to charge me for a diagnosis and could not promise me that my care would be serviced in a timely manner. (this was not the dealer I purchased the car from)It was one closer to my home. I have a warranty from the Purchasing Dealer. I purchased the car on 8/2/2022.

- Lipan, TX, USA

problem #213

Dec 232022

Escape

  • miles
The fuel line caught fire while driving under normal load. There is no active recall on this model any longer, but had one years ago for same issue. This vehicle has 89k miles, serviced regularly, and fire

- Pahoa, HI, USA

problem #212

Sep 232022

Escape

  • miles
I noticed the smell of gas when I parked one night. The next day after I drove it the smell of gas was very strong. I stopped the car and checked under the hood. The fuel line that connected to the fuel rail was leaking gas onto the engine. I consider myself lucky that it did not catch on fire. Ford did a recall for this years ago from what I have learned from the internet, but for some reason mine was not recalled. I have ordered the new fuel line and waiting for it to arrive. I have removed the leaking fuel line and have it if you would like to examine it.

- Shelby, NC, USA

problem #211

Jun 212022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 06/21/2022 I took my 2013 Ford Escape to a Ford dealer because my check engine light was on. I was informed that a Evap Tube was needed and the part was ordered. A few weeks later I checked with the dealer and was told the part was on back order. 08/01 I checked again and was told that there were 3,000 people waiting for the part and there was no estimate on when it would arrive. Whenever I start the engine after getting gas the engine does not start right away. It takes several times to start. I am always worried that the engine will not start or there could be a fire.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #210

Jun 302022

Escape

  • miles
I purchased my 2013 ford escape vehical in febuary 2022 from a local transmission shop, so iv've had it for a good 7 months and its has been nothing but problem after problem with this vehical, the first issue i noticed was the brake fluid leak and i was having to coonstatly refil it until i was able to pay someone to repair it for me. Also My coolant is needing to be filled up about every 2 weeks, and i have to constantly check it just to be sure because sometimes the light wont even pop up. The most recent issue that im having is a huge fuel leak, it just started about 4 days ago and its spraying out of a metal fule line by the engine, after doing some research its a recall for the year and make of my vehical, i called ford in to get information on what i could do and they bassicallly said they wouldnt repair it since my vin number is not linked with that specific recal. I'm a single mother of a 2 year old and this is my only source of transportation, i do not have the funds to repair this and i do believe alot of the issues are recalls and should be fixed and covered by ford.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #209

Jul 142022

Escape

  • miles
My car just cut off while I was driving. The car cranks but do not start. I-??ve been told it the fuel pump and I just got this car a year ago and barely drive it. It-??s dangerous that it just cut off while I was driving in the middle of the street and could-??ve caused a bad accident

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #208

Jul 062022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While merging onto the highway, I got into the right lane. While in motion my car stalled and went from 70 mph to 40 mph almost instantly. There have been many other times of engine stalling that has made me fear to drive this vehicle with my child. I noticed that " engine stalling" and the engine in general have been a common issue specific year make and model while researching this vehicles history. There have also been many major repairs and more needed repairs that will cost more than the vehicles worth. The turbo was recently repaired, water bypass valve, valve cover, spark plugs. With more repairs to be made due to fluids still leaking, and a certified mechanic noting that the catalytic converter will need to be replaced. The repairs done and the repairs needed will greatly cost more than the vehicles worth. I'm asking that you guys take into consideration that im still paying on this vehicle and a single mom who cannot keep putting repairs into a vehicle that i desperaetly need for transportation.

- Columbia , MO, USA

problem #207

Apr 012020

Escape

  • miles
When driving it makes farting noises and when you make a stop the rpm-??s go up and down causing it to jump forward then will shut off and not start. If you open gas tank up and allow it to -??fart-?? it will then start up and you can proceed to destination. Also if you shut car off while getting gas it might have you there for 10 minutes trying to start it but if you leave it on while pumping(which is not safe) it is fine. Talked with several Escape owners and all say they have same issues-??so not sure why there hasn-??t been a safety recall on it.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #206

Jul 022022

Escape

  • miles
When I fuel up my 2013 Ford Escape Se it doesn-??t want to start And the oil light and battery light flash on the display and to get the car to start I have to turn the key and keep pumping on the gas pedal then it eventually will start, but this happens every time I put gas in the vehicle. Called Ford and there isn-??t a recall on this.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #205

May 242022

Escape

  • miles
The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road on 5/24/2022. My husband was able to restart the vehicle and get it home and it stalled again in the driveway. There were no warning lights but the gas gauge was moving up and down. The car smelled of gasoline and there was smoke coming from the hood/ engine. We had it towed and the repair center told us that the gas line had split and was leaking gas. I called Ford and they confirmed my vehicle was not apart of the gas line recall but I would like to report it to see if I can get it on the recall list to get it repared.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #204

Apr 262022

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Unknown

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #203

Dec 282021

Escape

  • miles
The fuel wiring harness has exposed wires that are making the car miss and stall.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #202

Jul 262021

Escape

  • miles
Fuel line started leaking at damper, personal mechanic pulled part and notified me that part was apart of recall. Damper part #: 120620A. 610732. Are all of the numbers on the damper. I git the part replaced at the personal cost of $180.04 on 08/02/2021

- Sanford, FL, USA

problem #201

May 042018

Escape

  • miles
The purge valve (whole system) has failed on my vehicle when it was on less than 5 years old. This can cause for the vehicle to pause which is dangerous. Because my purge valve (whole system) failed, not only did input my family at risk for danger, I now have to pay out of pocket to have this repair. I did not have the money to get it repair and now that I do I have to pay over $600. Ford has recognized that this is a systemic issue, however they somehow were able to focus their recall to specific manufacturers which did not cover all including my vehicle.

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

problem #200

Jun 262021

Escape

  • miles
I purchased the car on June 09/2021 After taking the car home I noticed a severe lack of power at times when acceleration is crucial in order to navigate safely, such as when approaching an expressway ramp after having been at the light that controls access at the nearby intersection. Traffic moves quickly after lights change, and when I went to blend in from the merge lane, the car was inresponsive, the accelerator hit a dead spot that sent the engine spinning into very high rpms suddenly..5000 rpms The car became an obstacle and other drivers had to swerve to avoid an accident. All in the car were startled and I was upset because of the near collision. The usual sluggish engine response suddenly became dangerous. This car has 2 codes in the computer unit which are identified by these Codes..P0299-00 and P26AC-00 They only show if vehicle is hooked to a scanner and No Check Engine Light has been activated. My mechanic found them. The dealer refuses to admit theres any problem and FORD MOTOR has no recall for this issue. This car is available for inspection upon request.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #199

Jun 192021

Escape

  • miles
Fuel leak, with smell of gasoline filling the cabin. Leak was in the engine compartment. After car was towed I saw about 7-8 oz of gasoline pooled on my carport. Due to gas being flammable, I had the car towed in. Dealer says it needs a new fuel line for $505. Had someone lit a match, my house could have been set on fire. Also, since the leak was so strong, what if there was a short in any of the electronics? Again, major risk of fire.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #198

Jun 022021

Escape

  • miles
I just bought this vehicle less than 3 months ago, and now it-??s stuttering when I start it. It also stalls while driving.

- Clinton, MI, USA

problem #197

Apr 242021

Escape

  • 141,000 miles
Shuddering since it was bought as a used car now dangerous to drive, hard to stop engine shakes and shudders in a frightening manner. Now so bad at idle in park, put transmission in drive and the car tries to take off and is difficult to hold back with the brakes

- Hamburg, NJ, USA

problem #196

Apr 202021

Escape

  • 108,194 miles
The plastic fuel line under the hood to the fuel rail had a pinhole in it and was spraying fuel due to a wiring harness rubbing through it.

- Lake Villa, IL, USA

problem #195

Jan 012020

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
Vehicle is talling intermitten while stopped or idling. Problem is becoming more and more commen.vehicle starts back but will continue to stall when stopping or idling. The issues are the same as previous recalled vehicles with wiring harness issues. Please figure something out so this doesn't become more of a safety issues. No check engine lights come on and no mechanic can find an issue. This problem needs to be fixed asap Ford!

- Morrilton, AR, USA

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