FaultScore

2013 Ford Escape window and wiper problems

40 of the 3,681 complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 58,000 miles.

A

40

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Visibility/Wiper 32 80.0%
Windshield 2 5.0%
Visibility 2 5.0%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 1 2.5%
Exterior 1 2.5%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 1 2.5%
Motor 1 2.5%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Escape year

2001 37 6.3%
2002 36 6.1%
2004 17 2.9%
2005 40 6.8%
2006 22 3.7%
2007 11 1.9%
2008 32 5.4%
2009 13 2.2%
2010 94 15.9%
2011 47 8.0%
2012 20 3.4%
2013 40 6.8%
2014 27 4.6%
2015 20 3.4%
2016 21 3.6%
2017 14 2.4%
2018 13 2.2%
2020 65 11.0%
2021 22 3.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Houston, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

Indianapolis, IN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

Colorado Springs, CO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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 arms

NHTSA complaint #11568665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,500 miles Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in rainy weather, the front driver’s and passenger side windshield wipers failed to operate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiper motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,500.

NHTSA complaint #11514470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carmichaels, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I was driving in the snow and the wipers had stopped completely . The passenger doesn’t move at all. The drive side goes up and stays completely up. As I’ve done research I’ve noticed a ton of 2013 escapes have wiper problems. I took it to the dealership. They arnt 100 percent sure what is wrong with it. They think it’s the wiper switch. I’m gonna take it to ford aswell tomorrow. No warnings, just started happening & seems to be a common issue with ford.

NHTSA complaint #11506509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Vernon, WA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I have 2 issues 1.) my car is leaking coolant not sure from where. The leak is getting worse. I have coolant in my car, it was parked in the garage I made it a block from my house and my car shut down. Said it was overheating, don’t even know how it coul have been that hot. The car was not registering hot inside, also the temperature gauge not registering hot. I waited 1 1/2 hours came back and my car won’t go anywhere because I’m still getting the overheating message. 2.) my rear windshield wiper started making odd noises, then I kept finding my windshield wiper hanging straight down. It no longer wipes, but still makes noise. But it no longer works at all. A friend looked up this vehicle and saw there were common issues in complaints and told me to look to see if there were any recalls before I continued forward. But I don’t see anything pertaining to either issue.

NHTSA complaint #11466092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Both of my windshield wipers completely stopped working. The cost would be over a grand to fix it. Seems like a common issue with this car. Beyond dangerous! My car has 74,000 miles on it.

NHTSA complaint #11453398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lowell, OR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield wiper malfunction While granddaughter and children were driving in rain on freeway, wipers started malfunctioning by working out of synchronization then failing forcing her to pull into emergency lane and stopping. After restarting engine they started wiping for a short time than quit. It was extremely dangerous. Research showed me this was a re accuring problem with other people that has caused dangerous situations, expensive and sometimes unsuccessful solutions.

NHTSA complaint #11444004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Odessa, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

The contact owns a 2013 FORD Escape. The contact stated that the windshield wiper motors lost functionality. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that the Vin was not under recall regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA complaint #11425689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Snohomish, WA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I was driving when my panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded. It sounded like a gunshot. Glass was everywhere.

NHTSA complaint #11417797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Chattanooga, TN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING MAKING IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP SAID BOTH MOTORS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. AUTOMATIC LIGHTS JUST STARTED GOING ON RANDOMLY IN THE DAYLIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ILLUMINATED WHEN NOT BRAKING. BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER SUDDENLY DOES OFF WHEN IT'S NOT TURNED ON. IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT THIS CAR IS WORTH ON REPAIR! WHAT A LEMON!

NHTSA complaint #11362572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Bruce, WI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH LINK FORD AND RV RICE LAKE (2700 DECKER DR, RICE LAKE, WI 54868) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #11217152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Sharon, MA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY WIPERS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING MULTIPLE TIMES AT THIS POINT EVEN AFTER REPLACING 2 MODULES MEANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE WIPER LOCATOR SENSOR KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING AFTER STARTING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11179816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hebron, KY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTION. WIPERS STOP WORKING RANDOMLY MAKING IT DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WIPERS BECOME UNALIGNED AND DON'T WORK IN UNISON CAUSING ISSUES WITH THE WIPERS PERFORMANCE AND AT TIMES WIPERS STOP WORKING AT ALL MAKING IT UNSAFE TO USE VEHICLE AT ALL. WIPERS STOP WORKING AT ANY TIME DURING DIFFERENT VEHICLE OPERATIONS. THIS IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THIS ISSUE CAUSES A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE CAN BE SEEN IN MANY DIFFERENT FORD ESCAPES AND HAVE BEEN A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE BY MANY DIFFERENT FORD OWNERS. THIS MATTER MUST BE ADDRESSED. THE ISSUE IS NOW CONSTANT AND MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE WORKING WIPERS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH PERFORMED ON MY PART I HAVE SEEN THIS AS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG FORD OWNERS BUT WITH NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #11101566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carolina, PR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WIPER STOP WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORMY DAY, IN ROUTE TO MY HOUSE.

NHTSA complaint #11081772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TAKATA RECALL. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAS RUN IRREGULARLY SINCE PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN BEING DRIVEN AFTER THE FIRST 10 MILES OR SO ON CITY STREETS. HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN KEY OFF, RESTART ENGINE... MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN PROCEED.

NHTSA complaint #11066523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Holyoke, MA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS WORK AT THE SAME TIME. VERY OFTEN ONE OR THE OTHER WILL COMPLETELY STOP IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THEY HAVE COLLIDED A FEW TIMES AND ONCE THE WIPER BLADE FLEW OFF FROM BEING HIT BY THE OTHER WIPER. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO THIS PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN LIGHT RAIN, HEAVY RAIN, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STOPPED. THE WIPERS HAVE STOPPED COMPLETELY IN HEAVY RAIN CAUSING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. TWO NEARBY DEALERSHIPS HAVE TOLD US THAT NO CODE COMES UP AND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS WITNESSED IN THE PARKING LOT BY STAFF, IT COULDN'T BE REPLICATED IN THE SHOP. THEREFORE, THEY COULD DO NOTHING. WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND THE PROBLEM IS JUST GETTING WORSE. THANKFULLY, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. A RECALL WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

NHTSA complaint #11034434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Nashville, TN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

STARTED VEHICLE AND THE WIPERS CAME ON AUTOMATICALLY AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF (DESPITE THE WIPERS BEING IN THE OFF POSITION). THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. TURNED CAR OFF. IMMEDIATELY TURNED CAR BACK ON AND THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. WIPERS WILL NOT WORK WHEN RAINING AND GO FROM CONSTANTLY WORKING TO NOT WORKING AT ALL FOR NO REASON. VERY DANGEROUS IF IT IS RAINING, SNOWING, OR ANY PRECIPITATION IN THE SKY.

NHTSA complaint #11014670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Perryville, AR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE SUNROOF JUST EXPLODED ALL OVER HER AND MY DAUGHTER. SHE WAS IN AN AREA WHERE NOTHING COULD HAVE FALLEN ON IT. SHE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT.

NHTSA complaint #11006439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles ST. Joseph, MO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WILL RANDOMLY STICK IN THE UP POSITION. THIS CAUSES BOTH WIPERS TO STOP WORKING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. IT WILL EVENTUALLY START WORKING AGAIN. SOMETIMES ON IT'S OWN, OR SOMETIMES I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND GIVE IT A PUSH. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THEN THE SAME THING MAY HAPPEN AGAIN IN A MINUTE OR TWO, OR NOT AT ALL THAT DAY. I DON'T SEEM TO SEE ANY PATTERN IN WHAT MAKES IT STOP, HIGHWAY OR CITY, WIPERS ON INTERMITTENT OR NOT, IN THE RAIN, OR ONCE JUST TRYING TO WASH THE WINDOWS BY SQUIRTING THE FLUID. IT SEEMS COMPLETELY RANDOM.

NHTSA complaint #10981429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 460,000 miles Lexington, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TAKATA RECALL DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WINDSHIELD JUST CRACK AND THE NEXT WEEK ANOTHER CRACK WASNT HIT OR ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10945451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,700 miles Walnut Creek, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,700.

NHTSA complaint #10944407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Lincoln, NE

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND MY BACK WINDSHIELD MADE A POPPING SOUND AS A BASEBALL SIZED PIECE OF GLASS FELL OUT. THEN IT STARTED MAKING A CRACKLING SOUND AS THE REST BEGAN TO SHATTER AND SLOWLY FALL OUT. THERE WAS NOBODY AROUND TO THROW ANYTHING AT IT. IT WAS VERY COLD OUT, BUT THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT ON.

NHTSA complaint #10940110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Lincoln, NE

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND MY BACK WINDSHIELD MADE A POPPING SOUND AS A BASEBALL SIZED PIECE OF GLASS FELL OUT. THEN IT STARTED MAKING A CRACKLING SOUND AS THE REST BEGAN TO SHATTER AND SLOWLY FALL OUT. THERE WAS NOBODY AROUND TO THROW ANYTHING AT IT. IT WAS VERY COLD OUT, BUT THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT ON.

NHTSA complaint #10940110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,700 miles Walnut Creek, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

RAIN SENSING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WONT TURN ON 60,700 MILES DEALER SAYS SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS

NHTSA complaint #10939547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Monroe, LA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY WINDSHIELD FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE BACK ONE WORKS FINE. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY WANT $100.05 A HOUR FOR THREE HOURS JUST TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG. THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY REPAIRS. IF IT IS ELECTRICAL, ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE?

NHTSA complaint #10927610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Kansas City, MO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD SENSOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND CHANGING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA complaint #10894450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Lowell, AR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

IT WAS APPROXIMATELY AUG. 5, 2015. IT WAS RAINING THAT EVENING, AND THE WIPER QUIT WORKING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2013 FORD ESCAPE SEL IN A PARKING LOT. WE WERE UNABLE TO GET IT WORKING AND HAD TO CHANGE VEHICLES UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED THAT NIGHT. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE WIPER MOTOR HAD ALREADY GONE BAD. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT'S EMPLOYEE INDICATED THE CAR'S EUROPEAN STYLE WIPERS WERE MORE PRONE TO FAILURE. ON THIS VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ROTATES RIGHT TO LEFT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ROTATES LEFT TO RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10820231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,118 miles Caldwell, ID

VISIBILITY

ON DECEMBER 20, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 PM WE WERE DRIVING ON I15 - INTO SALT LAKE CITY - 19 MILES SOUTH OF I-80. PASSENGER MOON ROOF SHATTERED WITH A LOUD BANG! SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. IT RAISED UP THE GLASS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 41 DEGREES OUTSIDE & 71 DEGREES INSIDE CARE. MY HUSBAND & I WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE CAR. WE WERE IN 5-6 LANES OF TRAFFIC & DID NOT STOP UNTIL WE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. RAIN WAS COMING SO WE TOOK PICTURES WITH OUR CAMERA & I PHONE & TAPED UP THE ROOF OVER THE CRACKS & COVERED IT WITH A TARP. WE RETURNED TO BOISE AREA THE FOLLOWING DAY. WE PARKED IT IN OUR GARAGE UNTIL WE COULD DELIVER THE CAR TO LITHIA FORD IN BOISE ON 12/22/14. (WE PURCHASED IT FROM LITHIA FORD) THE SERVICE TECH SAID HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT FORD & GET BACK WITH US. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM & SAW IN THE PAST THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. FORD MADE THE DECISION, IT WAS SOMETHING WE DID & WE THEREFORE HAD TO TURN IT INTO OUR INSURANCE & WE HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. WE BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE COVERED THIS DAMAGE, NOT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint #10691347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,500 miles Hooksett, NH

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS FAILURE WAS 13,500. UPDATED 12/03/14*LJ UPDATED 10/1/15

NHTSA complaint #10651296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2013 Ford Escape problems

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