299 of the 3,681 complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape are about the other systems — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
299
Complaints
3
Crashes
13
Fires
6
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The system that failed was the rear passenger door latch. The door will not latch and I checked the door latch and it moves freely. My vehicle also is telling me that my rear passenger door is open
NHTSA complaint #11756415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car caught fire in engine, near transmission
NHTSA complaint #11753713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has been having problems immediately with the turbocharger which then seemed fine once taken in. Only to turn around and have the transmission go out. Once again, it was taken in and was reported that there is no transmission dipstick. It is going into limp mode due to slippage detected from the B clutch pack. There is a low chance that flushing out the fluid could buy the transmission some more time, but a large amount of clutch material has been worn off the internal transmission clutch packs and is saturating the fluid. Therefore needing an entire replacement of the transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11748007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
car is in park but when I tried to come out of park the arm move but it won't shift out of park.
NHTSA complaint #11732021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The coolant leaks into the engine. I had the coolant container replaced as well as the coolant bypass valve.Coolant still leaks into the engine and container has to be filled every day. It’s unsafe to drive. It stalls. The mechanic says it’s dangerous and to get another car but I can’t. There is a class action for same issue. Coolant leak has destroyed the engine making it unsafe to drive. I can’t afford another car for my kids and I. Mechanic says his mom had same issue with her ford escape and it’s a fatal engine flaw and u safe to drive. This has been a problem since I purchased the car. I finally could afford to get the new container thinking that was the leak problem but it wasn’t. Then the coolant bypass valve broke too. I’ll put the date the repairs were made but this has been a problem with coolant contaminating the engine forever.
NHTSA complaint #11724405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am experiencing rearview camera issues - Ford to recall 1.74 million vehicles in US over rearview camera issue, NHTSA but everytime an article or alert is issued I check my vin # & not included in recall; but definitely my rear camera is defective.
NHTSA complaint #11722600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I took my car in for a safety recall for the bushing on the transmission. A short time after getting it back my cabin filled with smoke when I used the remote start. I had never had this problem until it came back from the dealer. so I stopped using the remote start! but after that the car's cabin began filling with acrid smoke whenever it idled for more than a minute. It now fills with smoke when sitting at a stop sign or in slow traffic, so i have to open the windows to breathe! On top of that the transmission started slipping in park again! I don't think they actually fixed it. and that they may have caused the smoke problem. there are no warning lights going on. I am [XXX] and on socsec. I need my car to be safe! I have been dealing with this for a while now because I don't trust the dealer now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11720463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My wastegate solenoid in my turbo is over-boosting. I have replaced it once and it’s still an issue. I also am leaking coolant heavily. Ive seen 2013 ford escapes engine’s like mine have recalls stating 1.6L Engine Overheating & Fire Risk: A major recall involved 1.6L engines where a cylinder head cup plug could fail, causing coolant loss and potential fire. Another recall addressed fuel lines that could leak, causing fire risks. I’ve looked on Carfax, NHTSA.gov, and Ford.com to see if my car has the recall alert and it says it does not but I have the same exact issues.
NHTSA complaint #11713527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As I was traveling down hwy [XXX] the ford escape lost power and started excessively smoking. When I looked under the hood flames were coming from the passenger side of the suv under the hood. The fire begin to grow and finally engulfed the entire front of the suv and moved to the interior of the suv before the fire department arrived. The vehicle has not been inspected as this happened last night [XXX]. The engine light and oil light appeared before the suv shut down. I purchased the vehicle on [XXX] I did research and found a recall on the 2013 ford escape. Please see below. A 2013 Ford Escape may catch fire primarily due to engine overheating caused by a cracked cylinder head, leading to oil leaks, or due to a faulty engine block heater that can short circuit. Specifically, models with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine are prone to these issues, with several recalls issued for fire hazards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11713232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was parking vehicle & noticed from center console burning smoke coming from heater vents & middle console. I turned it off right away, waited a while & it stopped, driving at 60mph a back & forth forward & back hesitation or vibration. Shifting back & forth, No check engine light, but I feel that this vehicle has the recalls that are listed for this same year model & it has never being corrected. I need to bring this vehicle to a Ford dealership to get it checked. I'm in the Madison Wisconsin area, please have this matter taken care ove. 2013 Ford escape 2.0L
NHTSA complaint #11712836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car caught on fire from the engine
NHTSA complaint #11697081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear view camera going out or showing image upside down. Started approximately beginning of September and has been ongoing since.
NHTSA complaint #11695259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Component: Engine and Engine Cooling: Cooling System (Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet) What happened: My 2013 Ford Escape developed a fast coolant leak from the thermostat housing/water outlet. Coolant drains quickly and the engine overheats within minutes. The engine has overheated twice while driving on the highway, which created a dangerous situation. This matches the overheating and coolant loss problems covered under Ford recalls 17S09 and 18S07, but my VIN is not included. How often: The leak happens continuously while driving. Coolant loss occurs rapidly and overheating follows if coolant isn’t refilled. Injuries/fires/crashes: No. The engine overheated twice on the highway, but I was able to pull over safely each time. Inspected or repaired: Yes. A mechanic diagnosed a coolant leak from the thermostat housing. Ford replaced the water pump and gasket in 2015 for a similar leak. Concern: Recurring safety issue identical to known Ford cooling system recalls. Requesting investigation or recall expansion for Escapes with fast coolant leaks and overheating.
NHTSA complaint #11694874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I change gears to P or R the car shut down , also it shakes when I break
NHTSA complaint #11694447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In many words the wires are all mess up the AC buttons off it puts on the air and back wipes and the coolant system keep lossing coolant it smell the wiring have too it twice to where my extender warrant told me to they too 200 hund. For deductible and Labor 641.00 twice and the card is still with electric problems I m a senior citizen on SSI take care of two boys 5 and 8 alone with no help and thas the only means of transportation scare all the time that wires going catch on firer firestone tool my money and wasn't a n le to fix they told it was a recall on my car but why would they do that knowing that .I got really miess over Noow yal hot these vehicles out and only I pay carrots every month fateful and im driving a lemon I dont want to go to press cause don't see it in my heart something has to be don cause yal manufacturers these ford just want to be safe when me and boys are driven and not for the car catch on fire .please help been to rode in a vehicle thas no good cause I don't know what to do ty
NHTSA complaint #11694288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The interior back door panels on both rear doors at the bottom corner gets hung in the on molding of the car body and prevents you from being able to get out of the car.
NHTSA complaint #11684453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine light came on a few weeks after I purchased this used vehicle from Ford. I got s diagnosis on it the other day at Oreillys they said “Thermostat coolant”, we added the necessary liquids. Got it checked out at a Ford dealership the other day and they say they see no issue with the thermostat cooler, but an issue with the standpipe. I search online and see a recall about this issue in the past.
NHTSA complaint #11683567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my vehicle. I pulled into a gas station to buy something. When I stopped, smoke was coming out of the engine bay. When I popped the hood, the engine bay was on fire! I put it out with a fire extinguisher. Side Note: I bought this vehicle from a friend. It has not been registered in my name. It will be registered today, 08/15/2025 in Butler County Kansas. Augusta, KS.
NHTSA complaint #11680819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Right passenger door came unlatched while driving. Had to manually keep the door shut while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11676641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Scared to drive took to get inspected felt like Transmission keep slipping and I was told there is a recall on transmission Also windshield wipers won’t go off have to remove fuse was told there is a recall
NHTSA complaint #11664975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The transmission in my vehicle failed and had to be completely rebuilt before the car even reached 90,000 miles. Additionally, the vehicle has been leaking coolant. I have read that there are known recalls for coolant leaks on vehicles of the same year, make, and model as mine, which may be related to the issue I’m experiencing. Component or system that failed: The transmission failed and required a full rebuild. The coolant system is also leaking. Both systems are available for inspection if needed. •Safety risk: The transmission failure caused sudden performance issues, which could have led to an accident if it had happened while driving at highway speeds. The coolant leak puts the engine at risk of overheating, which could also lead to a breakdown or safety hazard while on the road. •Reproduction or confirmation: The transmission issue was confirmed by a certified transmission repair shop that performed the rebuild. The coolant leak is ongoing and observable. •Inspection by third parties: The transmission was inspected and rebuilt by an independent service center. The coolant leak has not yet been officially diagnosed by a dealership, but I plan to have it inspected soon. •Warning lamps or messages: There were no warning lamps for the transmission before failure, but symptoms such as slipping and rough shifting occurred prior to the rebuild. For the coolant leak, low coolant level warnings and engine temperature alerts have appeared intermittently, which first began a few months ago.
NHTSA complaint #11660284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is an internal coolant leak. Ford is aware of this and there are recalls but my vin number doesn't fall under the recalls. I have to fill coolant twice aweek
NHTSA complaint #11646436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Coolant seems to be leaking at a fast rate. The leakage is inconsistent it sometimes a lot but other times a little. Constantly filling coolant reservoir with coolant yeah it’s leaking somewhere out of the bottom of the car.
NHTSA complaint #11644058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There was a recall on my car before (due to freeze plug) but since it fell out of the manufacturer window of the recall it was not accept yet it is the same exact issue . My car is pouring out fluids from the same spot, it will not hold anti freeze not matter how much i put and doesn’t hold for more than 1-2 miles up the road with overheating, smoking giving me warning signs
NHTSA complaint #11639860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recurrent problems with coolant leaks requiring multiple visits to dealer. Nearly overheated on freeway. Tubing replaced without improvement. Frequently having to replace coolant fluid myself.
NHTSA complaint #11639969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was stuck in park and would not shift into D,N,R,S, or any other gear. There is recall on the shift cable bushing, which is the exact issue that the Ford dealership has repaired and I was charged. I informed them that perhaps my VIN was not included per my car is having the safety recall issue. They were not willing to find out or give me a proper explanation. I was under the impression that if it's safety recall there is no issue on the matter.
NHTSA complaint #11639348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My battery keep going dead. I had to keep buying battery twice a year.
NHTSA complaint #11635439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
For the second time the lug nuts have failed due to being two parts. Told swollen due to weather. Also replacement parts are the same.
NHTSA complaint #11629023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2013 Ford Escape has had a very large coolant leak more than 10 months ago and the mechanics have not been able to repair it, they have changed hoses and the problem continues.
NHTSA complaint #11626157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Defective REARVIEW CAMERA. Came upside down and go blank or distorted. Safety Hazard
NHTSA complaint #11624576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.