10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,910 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #92

May 152018

Escape

  • 43,000 miles
Purchased new in 2013 - 43,000 miles currently. Four episodes of a jerking motion between speeds of 0 to 45 in 5 years. I purchased 5 yr and 100,000 mile warrenty. The time ran out 2 months ago. This transmission has a S feature and as it would stop the jerking when it was cut off and restarted it seemed to be a computer problem. It happened about once a year and always "reset" when turned off. I wondered if there was a silent recall or other people who have had this experience. I have always been driving when this occurs and it is random....leaving a stop, open road stop and go. I actually called Ford the first time it happened and they were sending a tow truck. The vehicle had been parked overnight and I thought to turn it around in the driveway so it would go on the truck forward. Drove down street to turn around and nothing....cancelled the tow. Nothing like it for another year"?" I feel this may be a problem with the "S" (sport shift) feature. I have never used this feature at all...at age 75, I am over that. My vehicle has been service twice a year since purchase. The manual says change transmission fluid at 150,000 miles. The sudden and violent jerking while in traffic is terrifying to say the least and although there has not been an accident, I am certainly nervous about the function of the vehicle.

- N Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #91

Nov 012017

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
Just because the VIN on this specific 2013 Escape doesn't match all the recalls doesn't mean it doesn't have the same issues. I've already had to have the water pump replaced and the transmission rebuilt. There's electrical issues, HVAC issues, door issues, delayed acceleration issues, the list goes on and on and on with this vehicle. I reached out to Ford and they offered no help. Your system only allows me to check three problems.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #90

May 212015

Escape

  • 32,500 miles
Purchased my 2013 Escape del on 4/2014, it's been back to dealership for a total of 32 days since I've owned it. They had to replace at no cost due to recall 13S12 the water pump, long block 1.6ltr engine, engine indicator asy-oil level, battery, vacuum pump, therm.assy, staring angle sensor, coolant bypass solenoid, lower standpipe hose. Reprogrammed apim, PCM, icp, rcm. Ford discontinued the 1.6 engine back 2015 and the sex model. I continually have system issues even after they replaced my engine. I want a different Escape.

- Elverta, CA, USA

problem #89

Jan 272018

Escape

  • 80,000 miles
When driving down the highway, the vehicle would suddenly lose power and display "engine malfunction". it would sputter but not stall. Turning off the vehicle and restarting returned the SUV to normal. This occurred 3 more times over the next week. However, on Feb 16, the SUV did not reset and the check engine came on. The next day, before we took it to a mechanic, the check engine light was off. Nonetheless, the mechanic scanned the SUV and codes P2101 and P2111 appeared. Both codes refer to the electronic throttle body and it being stuck open. Ford has had numerous problems with the etb and there is their "consumer satisfaction service #13N03 that addresses the etb flaw. Now for the fun part: Our VIN is not included in the #13N03 "service" though it is a vehicle that fits within the range of the "service" and obviously displays the ebt problem. Instead of having the NHTSA mandate a recall, Ford was able to negotiate their consumer satisfaction service...which means they determine which etb to replace for free and which ones we have to pay. Fox in charge of the hen house. How can I get my VIN included in this "service" program? this vehicle is dangerous when it loses power. We have been fortunate in every incident to be able to pull over to the shoulder among highway traffic. (twice passing a semi!)

- Stony Mountain, ND, USA

problem #88

Jan 052018

Escape

  • miles
In the summer when I run the A/C we smell burning smell and the dealership that we bought it from told me to just let it catch fire and then they will look at it, and now that I'm running the heater it starts leaking oil. It smells like oil in my garage now. Sometimes while pressing on the gas pedal it doesn't go. Friday my engine coolant light came on and then went off and then came back on. I'm not sure what's going on but I want a good look at everything.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #87

Dec 202017

Escape

  • 72,230 miles
Park to reverse: Vehicle transmission self engaged from park to reverse. Mechanical defect, as a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning. On wed. 12/20/17 at 3:10 P.M. ' I was leaving work I entered my 2013 Ford Escape & started the vehicle with foot on brake. Noticed my front and back windows were covered with snow. Engaged the windshield wiper on front window, & realized that the snow was actually frozen ice that needed to be scraped. Vehicle was in park position, let up on the brake and there was no movement of the vehicle. Scraper in hand, got out of the vehicle to scrape the front windshield. When exiting the vehicle, the vehicle was still in park position/motionless. The vehicle was motionless from the time I exited the vehicle to the time I moved to side of car on driver side, to scrape the front windshield with scraper. I started to scrape my front windshield. After 3-4 scrapes on the front windshield, I noticed that the vehicle starting to move in the reverse direction which was away from where I was standing. I tried to open the door & get into vehicle to apply the brake, however, the door momentum knocked me to the ground & I was dragged by the door of the vehicle as the vehicle was moving in the reverse direction. I was looking at the front wheel as I was being dragged until the car turned enough to release me from the driver side door. The vehicle stopped when its back bumper hit the vehicle front bumper behind it. The was idling, and the vehicle was motionless when I got to it, it did not appear to be driving in reverse but was stationary idling as if it was in park position again. Ford case # cas-1377-1943, similiar to recall # 15S28 power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) 2001-2009

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #86

Dec 012017

Escape

  • 78,000 miles
2.0 automatic transmission failed at 78,000. New converter and transmission required. Vehicle would shudder when traveling at 40-60 mph and pulling up a hill.

- Old Fort, TN, USA

problem #85

Dec 042017

Escape

  • 98,000 miles
My 2013 Ford Escape sel has the 1.6L V6 engine and is saying that it is over heating and giving me a P1299 code. I have replaced the thermostat it still gives me this code. I can let the car sit for several days and turn it on and it will immediately say that it is overheating. I can clear the code out of the system and drive the car for several days to a week with no problems. This issue happen with approximately 98,000 miles on the vehicle. I have researched online and the 2013 Ford Escape 1.6L engine has a recall on this issue but according to my VIN number my vehicle does not have this recall. Engine and engine cooling recall number 12V551000. I also have an issue with my vehicle hesitating. I will be driving and the rpms will bounce up and down then it will tell me there is a "transmission failure". after it sends that warning message the vehicle will run fine. I have had this issue since I have purchased the vehicle with approximately 40,000 miles on it at that time. The dealership told me there is nothing they can do about it that Ford recall it but there is no way to fix it. Again I have researched and they have a recall on this with the 2013 Ford Escapes but according to my VIN my vehicle does not have this recall. Electrical system:wiring recall number 15V813000

- Dixon, IL, USA

problem #84

Nov 252017

Escape

  • 42,236 miles
While operating vehicle at 60 mph revolutions of engine soared to 4000 RPM's roadway was level then dropped RPM's doid to abt 2000

- West Salem, WY, USA

problem #83

Oct 272017

Escape

  • 118,693 miles
Initially I had been having issues with the engine light coming on and off. Initially when I took the vehicle to be looked at, by the hunt Ford in la plata, md. They changed the oxygen sensor. So the light went off. Then a few months later in 2016 the light came back on. Eventually I started driving on route 5 North and heard a 'pop' noise in the engine area. The vehicle started to lose acceleration and would hesitate. Then eventually my check engine light came on and started blinking. Prior to the engine light blinking the car begin to misfire, hesitate when trying to accelerate, and the engine would overheat from time to time prematurely. The car would sometimes stall and misfire when trying to accelerate or when sitting idle. When I looked online it shows a recall for these specific issues for the same make, model & year, but not for my specific engine liter. For example, it shows the engine overheating, misfires and engine wiring splices may cause stall for 2013 Ford Escapes but only for 1.6L. My car is experiencing very similar issues as those listed under the recall, but my engine is a 2.0L. So while on my way home Friday, 10/27/2017, I started to have issues with my vehicle. I was traveling on Pennsylvania ave towards DC, when I reached an intersection (southern ave), and the car started to jerk and then the engine light started blinking. At one point I began to see white smoke once the engine light started to blink, and smelled fumes. Not too long after that began to occur, I make a U-turn at the light and pulled over in front of the funeral home. Before I was pulled over on the side of the road (while making the U-turn) the car started to misfire and stall. So I turned the engine off, and called aaa to have it towed. A few days later I had a mechanic come and run a diagnostic on the vehicle at the home. I have attached a copy of their report.

- Brandywine, MD, USA

problem #82

Oct 272017

Escape

  • 118,693 miles
Initially I had been having issues with the engine light coming on and off. Initially when I took the vehicle to be looked at, by the hunt Ford in la plata, md. They changed the oxygen sensor. So the light went off. Then a few months later in 2016 the light came back on. Eventually I started driving and heard a 'pop' noise in the engine area. The vehicle started to lose acceleration and would hesitate. Then eventually my check engine light came on and started blinking. Prior to the engine light blinking the car begin to misfire, hesitate when trying to accelerate, and the engine would overheat from time to time prematurely. The car would sometimes stall and misfire when trying to accelerate or when sitting idle. When I looked online it shows a recall for these specific issues for the same make, model & year, but not for my specific engine liter. For example, it shows the engine overheating and engine wiring splices may cause stall for 2013 Ford Escapes but only for 1.6L. My car is experiencing the same exact issues as those listed under the recall, but my engine is a 2.0L. At one point I began to see white smoke once the engine light started to blink, and smelled fumes. Not too long after that began to occur I pulled over to the side of the road and the car started to misfire and stall.

- Brandywine, MD, USA

problem #81

Oct 152017

Escape

  • 79,000 miles
Greetings, I have a Ford Escape 2013, 2.5 liters, and I almost crashed because the vehicle suffered an electrical malfunction. In the screen of the car it said: "motor damage, turn off". this almost caused me to loose my life, because the car lost all the energy, stopped in the middle of the highway, and the motor was hesitating. I looked for a recall and I found a Ford number 14S17-S1 but that recall is for 2.0 liter and my Ford Escape 2013 is 2.5 which means that it doesn't have the same electrical wire that is recalled from the 2.0. I went to the dealer to find an answer, but the car does this malfunction intermittently and once you turn it back on the code disappears like if nothing would have happened. I took the paper of the recall to the dealer and they said that they cant do anything because the code disappeared and my car doesn't have the same system of the 2.0 liter.

- Fajardo, PR, USA

problem #80

Oct 092017

Escape

  • 45,000 miles
I was driving on a freeway at 65mph and the engine cuts out to an idle. The check engine light came on. I almost got rear ended getting the car over to the side of the road since it lost all power. After pulling over I was able to start the car as the light went out. This happened 3 more times where the car would cut out to a rough idle, these occurred while I was on city streets but almost caused 1 accident as it cut out. After shutting the car off it would restart with no issue. This last time the car had to be towed to planet Ford to be repaired. They said it was a throttle body issue and it cost me over 700 for the repair even though it is still under the powertrain warranty. I do not see why this has not been recalled due to the car being unsafe to drive and I do not know why the replacement of the part alone will not cause further stalls of this vehicle. I have found other people with the same issue where the car goes into "limp home" mode. I am currently having the car repaired or I would be able to attach the invoice for the throttle body repair.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #79

Sep 292017

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
2013 Escape developed coolant leak. I saw online where this problem was a recall. When I took it in to the dealership they informed me that even though mine has the same problem my VIN# is not included in this recall! if Ford Motor Company knows they have this problem with this vehicle why are they not all covered" how many have to catch fire" also, they also tell me I have an oil leak in the turbo. I have never seen any evidence of an oil leak in this vehicle.

- Piedmont, SC, USA

problem #78

Aug 292017

Escape

  • 104,000 miles
Vehicle never shifted correctly. Complained to dealer numerous times. Transmission failed at 104000 miles. Vehicle broke down on major interstate 100 miles away from home. Had the vehicle towed to nearest dealer. Cost to repair was 5000+

- Blairstown, NJ, USA

problem #77

Sep 222017

Escape

  • 37,056 miles
While operating on interstate 90 ewd engine rpms went from abt 3000 RPM's to 5000 RPM, while attempting to accerlate from abt 65 mph to 70 mph.

- West Salem, WI, USA

problem #76

Sep 242017

Escape

  • 37,140 miles
While operating vehicle at approx 55 mph vehicle revolutions raced up to abt 6000 rpms. As attempting to accelrate to a higher interstate speed.. while operating on interstate

- West Salem, WI, USA

problem #75

Sep 042017

Escape

  • 51,000 miles
While driving on a highway with the cruise control set at 70 mph (speed limit), the engine on my car suddenly and without warning cut out. A message of 'your vehicle is not in park' appeared. I was able to make my way onto the berm of the road, close to an exit on the highway with the car's momentum. The car's engine was not running. I put the car in park, waited a moment to calm my nerves, and then restarted the car. I was able to get home, holding my breath the entire time, uncertain whether I would encounter the same problem. Cause of the problem - unknown. I have an appointment tomorrow at the Ford dealership where it was purchased. Twice before, this car was taken to the dealership because of a problem with accelerating from a stopped position. The car would "buck" as if it wasn't getting any fuel. The second visit resulted in no action from the service dept. As they could not recreate the issue. I asked specifically about codes from the car's computer, but was told there weren't any. I found this surprising because I drove directly to the dealership when this problem happened and the "check engine" message was on the entire trip there.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #74

Aug 222017

Escape

  • 34,000 miles
While accelerating vehicle on a highway on ramp, studdered, acted like issues going from 1st gear to 2nd gear. Unknown if power train isue or fuel/engine issue. Was looked at by shop same day problem would not reoccur..

- West Salem, WI, USA

problem #73

Aug 012017

Escape

  • 55,339 miles
I was sold the car with a defective fuel pump and never warned that it needed to be recalled, therefore, I have been driving it for over a year with the possibility of it starting on fire. Also, recently the power train went on my car almost exactly one month after the warranty was up. After researching this issue it has come to my attention that many other Ford Escape owners have experienced this exact issue. I was even told by one mechanic that this is a known issue with Ford Escapes amongst mechanics. When the car is in motion it "clunks" and does not shift properly. I am concerned for the safety of others who may be driving these cars without the knowledge that there is something wrong with it.

- Lackawanna, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »