What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

4.6% of complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2013 vehicle — around the middle of the 210 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (1262 complaints), typically at 6.4 yr or about 75,000 miles.

Complaints
3,656
Median age at failure
6.8 yr
Median mileage
74,000 n=2589
Crash / fire / tow
9.8% of reports
Safety recalls
10 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
1262 reports · 75,000 mi
6.4 yr
9.1%
Power train
400 reports · 82,000 mi
7.1 yr
13.2%
Electrical system
332 reports · 63,000 mi
5.8 yr
8.4%
Steering
303 reports · 82,000 mi
7.8 yr
6.6%
Other
300 reports · 80,000 mi
7.8 yr
7%
Fuel / propulsion
244 reports · 76,459 mi
6.8 yr
7.4%
Engine cooling
176 reports · 105,000 mi
9.9 yr
17%
Speed control
90 reports · 60,000 mi
5.8 yr
11.1%
Structure
88 reports · 40,000 mi
4.4 yr
11.4%
Latches / locks
66 reports · 67,000 mi
4.1 yr
7.6%
Service brakes
59 reports · 59,789 mi
5.9 yr
13.6%
Air bags
54 reports · 31,410 mi
2.3 yr
24.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

12V336000 2012-07-18 Do not drive
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.

26V011000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

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.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

22V413000 2022-06-10
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)

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.

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.

20V331000 2020-06-08
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

18V471000 2018-07-16
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

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.

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.

16V643000 2016-09-06
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

15V813000 2015-12-02
Electrical system:wiring

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).

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V597000 2014-09-26
Air bags

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.

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.

14V495000 2014-08-11
Electrical system:wiring

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).

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V239000 2014-05-07
Structure:body:door

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.

A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Structure 1,800 mi 0 mo in service
I HAVE THE 2.0 SE WITH ROOF RAILS AND PANORAMIC SUNROOF. THERE IS A WATER LEAK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLINER RIGHT NEAR THE A-PILLAR. I PULLED BACK THE HEADLINER AND WATER IS DRIPPING FROM AN AREA ADJACENT TO A NYLON FASTENER. THE CAR IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS HIGHER THAN THE REAR, SO THE SUNROOF CANNOT BE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. *TR
Structure mileage not reported 4 mo in service
2013 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HOOD DAMAGE BY DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL RECALLS. *SMD
Structure 10 mi 4 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DID NOT RETURN TO THE CLOSED POSITION, CAUSING THE DOOR TO NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Wheels 5,500 mi 1 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE CONTINENTAL CON TIP SMALL RO CONTACT, SIZE 235/15/R17. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDRO PLANE IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,500.

Other Escape model years

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