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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.

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,050 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2013 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 202023

Escape

  • 105,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer having the tires rotated, the contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen. The contact was informed that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bolivia, NC, USA

problem #6

Feb 012023

Escape

  • miles
Took my 2013 Ford Escape SEL to a Ford dealership to have a recall repaired. The dealership completed a Service Inspection of the car as standard practice. The service manager told me that all of the lug nuts have swelled and if I get a flat I won't be able to change the tire because the lug wrench won't fit the lug nuts. He also told me this is a common problem with Fords. I was not previously aware of this problem as I just bought the car last year. When I got home I tried my lug wrench on the nuts and verified the problem. I read a previous complaint on-line in another forum, where the problem is that the lug nuts are chrome plated, but not sealed causing moisture to get between the lug nut and plating and causing it to swell. I don't know this as a fact, but regardless of the cause, the lug nuts are clearly defective and I feel that Ford should replace them free of charge. This will cost me $250 in repairs. This would create a safety hazard if I get a flat and have to pull off to the side of the road and call for a tow truck to tow my car.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 172022

Escape

  • miles
I have a 2013 Ford Escape purchased used in October 2017. I recently took it to a dealer to have the tires rotated. The mechanic told me that he could not perform the rotation because the lug nuts were swollen and would cost it would cost $200 to replace the lug nuts. I am a senior citizen and on a fixed income. I did not have the money and told him to not do the rotation. I was also told that if I would have a flat tire while I was out on the road I would have to have to have it towed to have the flat tire changed..

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 042019

Escape 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2013 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to defective lug nuts. The consumer stated all four tires had swollen lug nuts. The manufacturer was notified and declined assistance stating that the failure was caused by exposure to the elements.

- Hazel Crest, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 242019

Escape

  • 57,894 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was undergoing a tire rotation at magic city Ford Lincoln (located at 809 williamson rd ne, roanoke, va 24016, (540) 345-0911), the contact was informed that the lug nuts had expanded due to the heat and were unable to be removed. The contact was also informed that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,894.

- Salem, VA, USA

problem #2

Apr 272018

Escape

  • 62,453 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the contact was informed by the mechanic that the lug nuts on the vehicle needed to be replaced. The lug nuts were manufactured with a plastic cover, which could deteriorate over time and cause moisture to enter the lug nut. As a result, the lug nut could swell and become impossible to remove if the tire needed to be changed. Autonation Ford westlake (23775 center ridge rd, westlake, oh 44145, (440) 296-3019) was the dealer that serviced the vehicle. The lug nuts were replaced by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: 321186. The approximate failure mileage was 62,453.

- Westlake, OH, USA

problem #1

Jan 162018

Escape

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the log nuts swelled, which made it difficult to put them back when they were taken out for a tire change or rotation. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was not a known issue. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Arlington, VA, USA

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