Worst 2013 Ford Escape Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford Escape.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 1,259 | 8 | 66 | 72,112 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 387 | 10 | 6 | 82,288 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 331 | 3 | 15 | 62,603 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 298 | 5 | — | 79,510 mi | |
| Fuel System | 245 | 1 | 13 | 77,238 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 160 | — | 1 | 101,837 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 89 | 5 | 3 | 61,853 mi | |
| Body Structure | 63 | 1 | 4 | 45,337 mi | |
| Brakes | 62 | 6 | — | 56,711 mi | |
| Airbags | 54 | 10 | 2 | 98,937 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 45 | 2 | — | 87,237 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 43 | 5 | — | 70,885 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 40 | — | 2 | 78,990 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 34 | — | 1 | 71,106 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 32 | — | — | 46,774 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 28 | 1 | — | 60,731 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 24 | 1 | — | 52,663 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 18 | — | — | 74,850 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 14 | — | — | 63,330 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 13 | — | — | 41,580 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 8 | — | — | 151,620 mi | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 8 | — | — | 70,354 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | 1 | — | 38,120 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 | 1 | — | 24,154 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 | — | — | 110,667 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 5 | 1 | — | 24,175 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 27,326 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 4 | — | — | — |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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?
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford Escape?
How safe is the 2013 Ford Escape?
Does the 2013 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2013 Ford Escape?
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.
Check Your Specific 2013 Ford Escape
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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