2013 Ford Escape Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Escape. Part of Generation 3 — 2013–2019.

20122014
Complaints
3,664
per 10K Sold
123.8
US Sales
295,993
Crashes
66
Fires
128
Injuries
84
Fatalities
Recalls
18

Worst 2013 Ford Escape Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#11,259 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:72,112 mi
Crash-related:8
Fires:66
#2387 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:82,288 mi
Crash-related:10
Fires:6
#3331 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:62,603 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:15
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Escape.

Engine Problems
1,259
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
66
Avg Miles
72,112
Transmission / Drivetrain
387
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
6
Avg Miles
82,288
Electrical Faults
331
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
15
Avg Miles
62,603
Steering Defects
298
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
79,510
Fuel System
245
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
13
Avg Miles
77,238
Engine & Cooling
160
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
101,837
Unintended Acceleration
89
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
3
Avg Miles
61,853
Body Structure
63
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
45,337
Brakes
62
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
56,711
Airbags
54
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
2
Avg Miles
98,937
Latches / Locks
45
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
87,237
Seat Belt Issues
43
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
70,885
Electronic Stability Control
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
78,990
Gasoline Fuel System
34
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
71,106
Wipers & Visibility
32
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,774
Wheel Issues
28
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,731
Suspension Failures
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
52,663
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,850
Headlight/Taillight Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,330
Structural Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,580
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
151,620
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,354
Seat-Related Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
38,120
Structure:Body:Door
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,154
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
110,667
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,175
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
27,326
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Ford Escape

18 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~10,108,284 vehicles.

26V011000Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
~116,672 affected

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.

22V413000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~2,925,968 affected

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.

20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,147,323 affected

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.

18V471000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
~504,182 affected

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.

16V643000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,046,297 affected

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.

15V813000Electrical System:wiring
~9,017 affected

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).

14V597000Seat Belts · Air Bags:side/window · Airbags
~746,842 affected

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.

14V495000Electrical System:wiring
~133,227 affected

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).

14V237000Air Bags:side/window · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~594,785 affected

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.

14V239000Structure:body:door
~581,986 affected

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.

+ 8 more recalls

Other Ford Escape Years

2013 Ford Escape — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Ford Escape reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2013 Ford Escape has 3,664 NHTSA complaints, 66 crash-related, and 18 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 1,259 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (1,259 complaints, avg 72,112 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (387 complaints, avg 82,288 mi); Electrical Faults (331 complaints, avg 62,603 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Escape?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,796 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Ford Escape?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Ford Escape include 66 crash-related reports, 128 fire reports, 84 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes — 18 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 10,108,284 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Escape?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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