One of the worst Escape years
Owners filed about 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical Escape year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 79,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2019 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 2,753 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (1,426, 52% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the electrical system. That is the most complaints of any Escape year from 2012 to 2024. It has 18 recalls.
19 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Ford Escape before you buy.
Engine and cooling
1,426 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact noticed an unusual odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 152,000 miles
Vehicle: 2013 Ford Escape SEL (1.6L EcoBoost) Approximate current Mileage: 134,646 miles System: Engine / Engine Cooling / Powertrain Incident Description: I am filing this complaint to report a severe and systemic safety defect regarding the 1.6L EcoBoost engine in my 2013 Ford Escape. The vehicle is experiencing catastrophic internal…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
401 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 82,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The shifter wouldn't go into park or start in park had to put in neutral to start it, was at a gas pump and the car started moving on its own had to jump in and pull the emergency brake to stop it and the vehicle was off, also the backup camera is upside down had it fixed but it goes right back upside down.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission stopped working. It completely disengaged and i was unable to move the vehicle in the middle of an intersection. This created a potentially fatal breakdown.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
339 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure powertrain control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 172,000 miles
My car battery is dying for no apparent reason. After 1 mechanic and 2 ford dealerships, it may be my auto control module slowly draining my car battery. I replaced the battery 3 weeks ago and the car has died at least 3 times since then.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering
303 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 81,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The steering wheel assist failed when I turned the car on to leave work. I had to get it towed to a car repair shop and they told me the entire steering rack had to be replaced because the assist is built into the rack.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the steering wheel became firm while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, excessive effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
287 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Performance issues after Eco boost icon stopped appearing on Dash, followed by a Check Engine Light that was intermittent for a few days. Vehicle would fail after ignition and would lose pressure and RPMs directly after fueling vehicle. Fuel Line clear would fix issue, Had repair shop check battery and alternator with no issue found.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fire coming from under the hood. The contact turned off the vehicle, opened the hood, and extinguished the fire using coolant stored in the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire had started at the fuel line…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 152,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
147 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (64), Doors: latch (18).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driver door would won’t latch I tried wd40 and put the latch back in place noting working I thought I should notify that it is a safety riskOwner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway, the front passenger’s side door suddenly came ajar. The "Passenger Door Ajar" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 94,996 miles
Brakes and stability control
107 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The anti-lock brake system is no longer available. When I start the car, a warning comes on that the Uphill assist is unavailable. Other lights come on concerning the brakes. I have contacted my repair shop and they have contacted the FORD dealership and have been told that presently there is no fix available. I understand this failure…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While coming to a stop sign the vehicle was going about 3MPH when the master break cylinder failed causing the breaks to fail and the car to hit another vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
92 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that immediately after driving into a parking space and stopping, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward over a median curb before crashing into another parked vehicle. During the incident, no injuries were reported and no police report was filed.…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 33,437 miles
When coming to a stop the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated making it very difficult to stop. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and turn off the engine. When I restarted the vehicle, the problem no longer existed and has not happened since but this problem could easily cause an accident, resulting in one or more injuries.…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Air bags
54 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Bought my 2013 Ford Escape SEL 2 years ago. The airbag light has been on the whole time. I went and had it checked after I was hit in the passenger front side and airbags did not depoly. My husband got hurt. I was told it needs a part replaced. I know there was a recall on the airbags on this vehicle and the owner stated never had it…Owner complaint, filed 2021
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 75 mph, a deer unexpectedly ran across the freeway. As a result, the vehicle ran into the deer. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained but the contact suffered a sore back. The vehicle was not drivable and was…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 106,200 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
52 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the headlights turned off independently. The contact was able to manually turn on and turn off the headlights to see the roadway. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact was using the high beam headlights instead…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 138,000 miles
We replaced new battery and the wiper arms and motor act up and destroy the wiper arm and motor for 2nd time and now I have to order new one arms and motor and I think ford should recall that wiper motors and armsOwner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
50 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver’s side front seat belt failed to retract as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the retractor was replaced under warranty. The failure reoccurred approximately 2 months after the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 10,000 miles
In my 2013 Escape, the driver's side seatbelt would no longer retract back in place on its own- and while driving it would not retract properly, usually staying loose and laying on my lap while buckled. The passenger side seatbelt would not fit snug around the passenger either. Both front seatbelts would not restrain anyone in the event…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Wheels and tires
39 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles. Parts named most: Lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (8).
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a routine inspection, the dealer informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a tire replacement kit; however, the swollen lug nuts could cause the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 71,422 miles
My ford Escape began shaking recently and as a precaution I tried to tighten the lug nuts, unfortunately I was unable to do so as the nuts no longer fit in the lug wrench, while my car was still driveable this could be an extremely dangerous circumstance if I received a flat tire in a remote location, there are countless similar stories…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
27 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was heading west on XXX with my [XXX] granddaughter and about a mile before the XXX exit we heard a loud bang and the car was, like a shot, propelled across the center line into the left lane and heading for the ditch. I immediately hit the brakes and pulled a hard right to keep the car on the highway. After three or four hard rights…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Purchased this ford escape for our granddaughter with in the last 2 years as a used vehicle and during a recent visit to a local ford dealer for another issue, they noticed the rear subframe crossmember had rust holes across it. Not sure if it is unsafe to drive due to the main structure looks solid. The front and back of the subframe…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
11 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera displayed a blank image. The contact stated that there was an unknown message displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Backup camera is fuzzy/blurry and screen blacks out occasionally when backing up. I've had "Camera Unavailable, Contact Ford Dealership" pop up on screen. At the same time the safety beeping goes out. I rely on this as it's hard to see with blindspots pulling out of parking spaces. I've almost been hit and almost hit others. First…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Ford Escape complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Escape | Among the worst years | 18 |
| 2013 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 2 |
| 2013 Honda CR-V | About average | 2 |
| 2013 Mazda CX-5 | About average | 1 |
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.
Full recall 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 and drivetrain Gear position indicator
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall 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, hood and latches
- 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.
Full recall 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 and drivetrain 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.
Full recall 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, hood and latches
- 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.
Full recall 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 system 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.
Full recall 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).
Air bags
- 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.
Full recall 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 system 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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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
- 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.
Full recall 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.
Full recall 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."
Fuel system
- 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.
Full recall 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.
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.
Full recall 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.
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall 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 and cooling
- Risk
- If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle's 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 vehicle's powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy…
Full recall 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 and 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.
Full recall 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 systemDo not drive until fixed
- 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.
Full recall 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.
Brakes Pedals and linkages
- Risk
- The reduced clearance may result in the driver?s 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.
Full recall 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.
2013 Ford Escape questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Ford Escape are the engine and cooling (1,426 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (401 complaints) and the electrical system (339 complaints).
Is the 2013 Ford Escape a good year to buy?
One of the worst Escape years. Owners filed about 1.9 times as many complaints as a typical Escape year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 79,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2019 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls for the 2013 Ford Escape. The most recent, from Jan 2026, covers the engine block heater. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 79,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 82,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?
The Escape years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2013 Ford Escape?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model