10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 61
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,047 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 #557

Jan 232019

Escape

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant leaked periodically from the vehicle and the vehicle failed to start. Every time the coolant was replaced, it would leak out. The contact also stated that the vehicle produced an abnormal burning odor and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic multiple times, but no failure code could be located. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact planned to take the vehicle to paducah Ford (3476 park ave, paducah, ky 42001, (270) 444-0011) for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Lacenter, KY, USA

problem #556

Feb 012019

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
Defect code P1299 says engine overheating but just started it and it is 6 degrees outside when it happened so hardly hot.... I pulled out of work parking lot and car entered 'limp' mode - I could not even back up to get back in the work parking lot. Let it 'cool down' for 15 minutes and then tried again to get it to the dealer just 1/4 mile from my work. Died again on the main road - pulled to the side and waited another 15 minutes (did I mention it was 6 degrees?) then started and flew to the dealer and it limped the last 100 feet again. The dealer did not have time to look at it the next day so I had it towed to another service station and they found the code. But engine is not overheated...no sign of leaking or anything but the code - we wiggled all the wires on the sensors and car started and is running with no issue.... yet. Going to get the sensor replaced now and hope it solved the problem.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #555

Jan 132019

Escape

  • 96,462 miles
Car ecelerates on its on, transmisin jerks when U put it in gear after disengaging the hand break, rolling while in park with engine off, transmission jerks when charging from 1st to 2nd gear especially when pulling a hill. Brakes not holding properly; I almost rolled back into a car today. Check engine light randomly comes on & stays on. Omw TL the shop to have a diagnostic done it goes back off.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #554

Jan 292019

Escape

  • 69,616 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. As soon as the vehicle was started, the coolant indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: Cas17024599. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,616.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #553

Jan 312019

Escape

  • 89,000 miles
Certain 2013 Ford Escapes have been recalled due to an engine coolant leak which led to engine fires. My VIN is not on the recall list however I have had to put coolant in my vehicle probably 10 times now and this morning I turned my car on and it says 'engine coolant low' followed by 'engine temperature high. Safety' Ford costumer service and dealerships refuses to acknowledge that my car is having the exact same issues as the cars on the recall, they recommend a total engine replacement ($8,400). This car does not feel safe to drive and I don't want to have to have an engine fire for Ford to realize other cars that are not on the recall list are affected.

- Northampton, MA, USA

problem #552

Nov 142018

Escape

  • 76,459 miles
Car overheated as I was driving on the highway. Had to pull over on an exit ramp. Attached is my bill from Ford for the repairs.

- Weaverville, NC, USA

problem #551

Jan 302018

Escape

  • 86,400 miles
I have a Ford Escape 13 and is always over heating on me, I have had it looked at 5 times, .and they can not fine the problem with it, I go out to get in the car and it gets hot right now, when I try to drive it, this has been happening ever sense I but the car 12/17

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #550

Jan 112019

Escape

  • 73,000 miles
After driving car 30 minutes then parking for 15-20 minutes upon restarting car & moving into traffic the car stutters then stalls. Originally was intermittent problem now is a daily occurrence. Taking car to mechanic today to get a diagnostic done. 1/25/2019.

- Shady Cove, OR, USA

problem #549

Jan 232019

Escape

  • 99,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off while idling at a stop sign. The vehicle restarted after the second attempt. The vehicle shut off again in stop and go traffic on the highway. The vehicle sputtered and finally restarted. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 99,500.

- Royerfords, PA, USA

problem #548

Jan 182019

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise upon starting. In addition, the check engine indicator randomly illuminated and there was a constant loss of motor power upon starting the vehicle. The dealer (sunrise Ford of North hollywood, 5500 lankershim blvd, los angeles, ca 91601, (877) 510-8967) was notified of the failures; however, the dtc was not present to replicate the failures. The vehicle was serviced by an unknown dealer for a failure regarding the throttle body prior to being repaired by Ford of North hollywood. The unknown dealer inspected the vehicle, but was unable to determine a remedy to repair the throttle body failure. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel line hose fractured onto the intake manifold near the engine, which caused fumes from the engine and fuel system to enter the cabin of the vehicle. The independent mechanic tested the vehicle and was to provide further technical guidelines to the vehicle owner. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V813000 (electrical system), 14V495000 (electrical system), 13V584000 (engine and engine cooling), and 12V336000 (engine and engine cooling), as well as NHTSA action number: PE18007 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and was unable to be driven due to the failures. The manufacturer was contacted to address the multiple failures as well as the two service campaigns (field service action number: 12M02 and 14N02 that had not been received by mail from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #547

Oct 012018

Escape

  • miles
The 2013 Ford Escape had a recall for leaking coolant on back of engine. The one I have has that problem and saying it's not on that recall list. It's the recall that could start a fire.

- Washington, IL, USA

problem #546

Jan 222019

Escape

  • 102,223 miles
My car is exhibiting the exact same symptoms as described in NHTSA campaign number 12V-551, Ford recall 12S41 and this vehicle was made in the same time period as other 2013 Ford Escapes which are affected yet Ford is telling me this has nothing to my vehicle. Same time frame, same symptoms but not affected" how does that make any sense to anyone with a shred of common sense" the incident occurred driving home from the iga store which is approximately 1.5 miles from my home. The drive there was fine, driving back the car stated high temperature stop safely, along with it trying to shut down. Shut the car off, waited approximately 15 minutes started the car, drove home, pulled in the driveway same message. Parked the car, now unable to drive the vehicle due to reading this error it is a fire hazard. This model and year is in the time frame this particular recall was put in place.

- Berlin, NH, USA

problem #545

Jun 122018

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
My Escape sel 1.6L 6 months ago after getting a full tank of gas my car started and then started to shake and stopped. Car would not restart for 10 mins and only if I press the gas pedal to the flood. Call dealership and they said they had not heard of a problem and let them know if it occurred again. My car is stalling making a noise, shaking and then no power just dies. I am scared for my safety. It does it now while I am driving. I have found where there is a recall for the same year built and type car for this issue. Just not for the 1.6 engine but the 2.0 engine. I have had the car checked at to car places and they can not find the issue.... this car is not safe please help!!!! please look at the nva-215sm 15V-813 agian this happens while I am driving down the road at 45 miles an hour or pulling our from a stop!! I have looked on line an there are at least 40 other complaints about the 2013 Escape 1.6L stalling while being driven! this is a safety issue!! and clearly the same issue as listed above on the 2013 Escape 2.0 engine they were made at the same plant in louisville, same year etc... I am concerned I will be hit or my car. I can not let me teenager drive this car!!!! help help help

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #544

May 212014

Escape

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine and coolant indicators illuminated and there was a drastic reduction in speed. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over as it stalled. After waiting a brief moment, the vehicle was restarted, but was not able to be safely driven. Bob bell Ford (7125 ritchie hwy, glen burnie, md 21061, (410) 766-3600) was notified of the failure and indicated that manufacturer recall number: 12S39 and NHTSA campaign number: 12V431000 (engine and engine cooling) were issued in mid 2014. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, it was determined that the kit required to service the recall campaign had not been administered. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic provided technical diagnostic information pertaining to what was inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that the independent mechanic did not believe the remedy was provided. The contact was waiting on a response from the manufacturer to determine the guidelines to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #543

Sep 132018

Escape

  • 129,000 miles
Engine stalling in traffic. But no engine code showing. Hard to restart after stalling. This was on a city street. Also missing when going up hill.

- Oakland City, IN, USA

problem #542

Jan 122019

Escape

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving, the vehicle began to jerk and the coolant and check engine indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to courtesy Ford (1636 dogwood dr, conyers, ga) where it was diagnosed that multiple coolant leaks were discovered. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #541

Jan 152019

Escape

  • 75,000 miles
For the past two years, I have to refill my engine coolant on average once a week. It drains quicker during winter months. I have brought it in multiple times but they keep telling me there is nothing wrong. This makes no sense since you rarely need to refill engine coolant this often.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #540

May 242018

Escape

  • 94,000 miles
I have to refill coolant every 10-14 days. The coolant indicator light comes on and it is down to the minimum level. The water pump has been replaced and did not fix the problem. There is no visible leak. Several mechanics have looked at the vehicle and cannot find the problem. It started in may, 2018 and has been ongoing since. The water pump was replaced in June, 2018.

- Cottage Grove, MN, USA

problem #539

Dec 062018

Escape

  • 80,200 miles
2013 Escape was "routine" transmission serviced at matthews Ford in broken arrow Oklahoma on November 26,2018. After this service dealership was contacted and appt. Made to re-check because of a jerk sensation in lower gear shifts. On December 6, 2018, about 60 miles from tulsa, traveling South on indian nation turnpike to Texas, cruise control was engaged at 80mph. Approximately 20 miles later, the traction light came on. Cruise control and a speedometer did not match so cruise control was disengaged. Jerking and sputtering began and the vehicle was pulled over and turned off. At that point smoke came from the hood of the engine and fire had ignited underneath. Within two minutes the entire front end of the Escape was in flames. (video of front in flames, and a trail of fluid leading up to the burning Escape). It was completely destroyed including all content. Contacted matthewsford and Ford corporation and basically was told there was nothing they could do. Insurance adjuster had assessed that there was no way to determine the cause of fire due to the extensive damage. Matthewsford, not Ford would not take responsibility and they should have in someway. They failed immensely.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #538

Dec 302018

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
A quick internet search reveals that this is a well documented problem in several different forums, yet Ford has not taken any steps to ensure the safety of its customers. My car, in a fashion identical to the 140,000 Escapes with the 2.0L engines, stalls suddenly while driving. It does this randomly, repeatedly, and without warning. I've been fortunate so far and have had the stalling occur only in low speed situations but I understand that other owners have stalled at high speeds. My car is a 1.6L and was not included in the recall. I've had the power control module replaced but that has not resolved the problem. How many more accidents are required before all vehicles will be fixed? the check engine light does not consistently illuminate preventing dealers from pulling the error codes and safely and efficiently resolving the problem. This is incredibly frustrating given the danger of the situation and the extensive documentation on the internet and the existence and correction of an identical problem in 140,000 other vehicles. It's unclear why the owners of 1.6L engines, which clearly suffer the same flaws and risks, are subject to severe injury, immense frustration, unresolved issues and escalating costs to drive what was supposed to be a reliable, safe family vehicle.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »