KnownCarProblems2013 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 2,750 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape, most often about the engine (52% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Escape model year since 2000 and has 18 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2013 Ford Escape problems
Engine
1,425 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
Started ignition and automatically displayed message - engine fault service engine now. Pulled out of home driveway and when accelerated on the gas, vehicle jerked severely. Pulled over and turned off the vehicle and restarted, the same message and jerking occurs. Later that day I started the vehicle, the message went…
Within just 3 weeks of purchasing our certified pre-owned 2013 Escape titanium (16k miles), the vehicle stalled twice while stopping at an intersection. Dash lights come on, put it in park, turn it off and restart and I am back on the road. Now 2 months since purchase, it has stalled like this 7 times. A few times, we…
Transmission
401 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, shift linkage/cable/rod.
Escape 2013 AWD 77,000 miles. Internal mechanical problems affecting the differential. The transmission fluid is burn't. The transmissions slips in every gear, eventually putting itself in to neutral. A well established, local aaa recommended transmission shop owner states only one option; replacing the transmission…
The car suddenly and without warning shifted into neutral for a few seconds then slipped back into gear even though the gear shift was in drive. This started happening every few minutes regardless of what gear the vehicle was in. The problem would occur while driving thus making it unsafe to drive.
Electrical
339 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
My wife was pulling out of the parking lot at work when the vehicle switched to a "low power state" as described by the dealer (spitting, sputtering shaking. Barely running as described by my wife) . She had get to the side of the road turn the car off then back on to turn around and pull back into the lot. I went and…
Numerous faults with radio and sync system. The radio will come on by itself and will not shut off. This usually occurs when a cell phone is in use and connects or disconnects via bluetooth when the car is started or turned off. The radio will not turn off even after the engine is turned off and the doors are opened…
Steering
302 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, gear box (other than rack and pinion), column, hydraulic power assist.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact loss control of the power steering. The contact could not regain control and the vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 90,565.
As I was exiting my garage, the power steering failed, making it virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel. Fortunately, this happened before I was on the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed as an internal failure of the power steering control module. Dealer replaced steering gear. Not…
Other or unspecified
300 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The doors on this car do not stay open & frequently close on you when your entering or exiting the car (even on level ground). After opening the door to get in, it closed back on my hip bone causing an injury. Nhtsa needs to make Ford replace door hinges on this car.
A couple days ago my check engine light came on when I started my car and I found out my pcv valve needed replaced. I was reading online and I saw that there was a recall on the 2013 Ford escapes because of coolant problems.
Fuel system
287 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the battery warning sensor illuminated. In addition, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made…
Traveling at 45 MPH stopped to make a right turn and the engine stalled for around the 6th time in the last month. The car is hard starting after this happens. The is a loud noise coming from the gas tank. Been checked out by independent mechanic and cant duplicate because no check engine light comes on. Talks to Ford…
Speed control
92 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not…
My car will suddenly lose acceleration while driving. The engine does not shut off, simply the gas pedal does not work, even in neutral. I drift to side of road, restart the car and it is ok. Reverse works fine when this happens.
Body and structure
87 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I received a recall notice in october 2016 (safety recall notice 16s30/NHTSA 16v-643. The recall related to a side door latch that may break. I reported the situation via request # 165121. I contacted my dealer who said the parts were unavailable. I believe nearly 3 years is long enough to satisfy a safety issue.
The liftgate is malfunctioning. The powered lift gate raises up after the button is pushed, opens full, stops fully opened for a split second before slamming down without warning. The liftgate will not stay open on its own, no matter how you open it. Warning: could cause bodily injury, be aware of the liftgate at all…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Ford Escape recalls
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed march 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s01. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall b
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 focus, 2013-2019 escape, and 2015-2016 mkc vehicles equipped with a 2.0l engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Transmission: shift linkage/cable/rod
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed july 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed october 27, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s43.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 escape, 2013-2018 c-max, 2013-2016 fusion, 2013-2021 transit connect, and 2015-2018 edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on july 27, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s30.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 fiesta, 2013-2014 fusion, 2015 mustang, 2013-2015 escape and c-max, 2012-2015 focus, 2014-2016 transit connect, 2013-2014 lincoln mkz, and 2015 mkc vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15v-246, 16v-643 or 17v-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began september 20, 2018. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18s20. Note: owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 ford escape, and 2013-2016 ford fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on january 27, 2017. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16s30.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 ford focus, 2013-2015 ford escape and ford c-max, 2015 lincoln mkc and ford mustang, and 2014-2016 ford transit connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on january 7, 2016. Owners may contact ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14s17-s1.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured january 11, 2012, to april 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 focus st vehicles manufactured may 03, 2012, to october 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Seat belts
Risk: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rcm, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on may 26,2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14s21.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 ford c-max vehicles manufactured january 19, 2012, to november 21, 2013; ford fusion vehicles manufactured february 3, 2012, to august 24, 2013; ford escape vehicles manufactured october 5, 2011, to november 1, 2013; and lincoln mkz vehicles manufactured april 25, 2012, to september 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the restraint control module (rcm) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in october 2014. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14s17.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 escape vehicles manufactured october 5, 2011, to april 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and focus st vehicles manufactured february 14, 2012, to october 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Body and structure: door
Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14s03.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 escape vehicles manufactured october 5, 2011, through april 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the rcm, free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14s04.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 c-max, and escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (rcm) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.
Seats: recliner
Risk: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14c03.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 ford fusion and lincoln mkz vehicles manufactured august 15, 2012, through september 10, 2013, 2013-2014 ford escape vehicles manufactured june 5, 2012, through august 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 ford c-max vehicles manufactured from july 23, 2012, through may 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 207, "seating systems."
Engine
Risk: Leaking engine oil may come into contact with a hot engine surface potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during january 2014. The recall began on april 9, 2014. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13s12.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured october 5, 2011, through june 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6l engines. The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during january 2014. The recall began on april 9, 2014. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13s12.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from october 5, 2011, through july 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6l engine subject to prior safety recall NHTSA 12v-336. In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The misinstalled fuel line could chafe and eventually leak fuel.
Doors and locks: latches/locks/linkages
Risk: The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2013. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 focus and c-max vehicles built from november 16, 2012, through november 21, 2012; and model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from november 14, 2012, through november 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicleâs hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicleâs powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from october 5, 2011, through november 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6l engines, as well as certain model year 2013 fusion vehicles manufactured from february 3, 2012, through november 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6l engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall began on september 11, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from october 5, 2011, through august 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6l engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.
Fix: Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a ford or lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle. Customers will be provided with a rental vehicle if needed. The dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line, free charge. The recall began on august 10, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from october 5, 2011, through july 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6l engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: The reduced clearance may result in the driverâs foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel, free of charge. The recall began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2012 through june 7, 2012. Due to mis-positioned carpet padding the center console trim panel may be pushed outboard of the intended position, reducing clearance relative to the pedal package.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Door latch failures
Summary
In december 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 235 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (my) 2012-2014 ford fiesta, and 2013-2014 fusion and lincoln mkz. Some voqs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other voqs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? Condition, however in certain somewhat rare circu
Loss of motive power
Summary
On july 16, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation (pe) to investigate alleged instances of sudden stalling without warning on model year (my) 2013 ford escape vehicles equipped with 1.6l gtdi turbocharged engines. Complaints alleged that vehicles stalled due to engine overheating, resulting in a delayed or no restart condition. When the investigation was opened, odi had received 40 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs). At this time, odi has received 173 voqs with five reported fires and no reported crashes. In investigating the incidents alleged in the voqs, odi revisited an apparently related recall that ford had issued in november 2013 (recall 13
Door latch failure
Summary
In january, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (my) 2012-2013 ford focus vehicles (subject vehicles).odi has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.one consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.in response to odi's information request, ford motor company (ford) provided 500 unique repo
Questions about the 2013 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (1,425 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); transmission (401 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles); electrical (339 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Escape have?
- 18 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is the most complained-about Escape model year since 2000, with 2,750 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.