Owner complaint record
2013 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2013 Ford Escape owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 2,744 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 2, 20262,744 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
+359% vs 2012, most of any Escape year
1,264 complaints, 46% of the total
half of the engine reports that give a mileage came before this
46 mention an injury, 89 a fire
The engine leads the 2013 Ford Escape record at 46%, with powertrain next at 14%. Of the engine reports that give a mileage, half came before 75,000 miles.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
2013 drew the most complaints of any Escape year, and its first months brought several recalls for the 1.6-liter turbo engine and the fuel lines. The form has no engine field, so these counts can't be split by engine.
2013 Ford Escape overview
The 2013 Escape came with three four-cylinder engines, a 2.5-liter and two turbocharged engines of 1.6 and 2.0 liters, all with a six-speed automatic.
Owners filed 5 times as many complaints about the 2013 as the 2012 (598), and the engine leads only in 2013. The 2014 drew 2,075, with engine named most.
- Power
- 168 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 170 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 231 hp at 5,500 rpm
- Torque
- 270 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 173 hp at 5,700 rpm
- Torque
- 184 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Kelley Blue Book's spec pages.
Is the 2013 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners filed more complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape than about any other Escape year, and the engine draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 1stCompared with other Escape years2,744 complaints, the most of 16 model years (next is 2017 with 2,663).By model year
- 46%The system named mostEngine, in 1,264 complaints. Half of the engine reports that give a mileage came before 75,000 miles.Problems by system
- 18Recalls18 recall campaigns cover the 2013 Ford Escape.Recalls
- 49Crashes, injuries, fires49 complaints mention a crash, 46 an injury and 89 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2013 Ford Escape problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 2,744 complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Engine46%1,264 complaintsOil and coolant leaks, overheating, smoke from the hood
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What owners describe
Upon taking my car in for the recall, I was notified on 12/19/2012 that the oil gasket was leaking. To date ( 1/2/13) sarat Ford in agawam ma still does not have the parts or any idea when my car will be fixed. It has 3100 miles on it and I purchased it in late september 2012.
My car is still overheating after bringing it into the dealer 6 times. They have done the recall fix twice now. There appears to be smoke coming out of my hood now with a burnt smell. The burning and coolant smell is triggering my asthma while driving.
ALGAMDTXRead 4 more owner reports+4
Purchased aug 2012 had nothing but problems since day one wipers,rattles in front end steering stalls on take off also a gas smell strong makes eyes water wife will not drive car I am a retired Ford tech 20 years experience with Ford.
My engine light came on and my car started to stall and not drive. It started to skip and at as if it was not going to go while driving. When I stopped it started to act as if it was going to cut off in the street. I had to get it towed to a dealership. They said it was my engine wiring system. Cost 500 dollars to fix.
Car continually stalls. Error message says engine fault service now. It can happen coming out of the drive way or driving at 50 miles an hour. Dealer says nothing is wrong! This is dangerous! It's been happening for over a year now
Leaking coolant on the engine started a fire. The dealership want to charge me over $9,000 to fix it but the trade in value is only $9-10,000. The car was in motion on the highway and started smelling antifreeze. The temperature gauge only moved a bit, but then it caught fire.
When it starts
Usually starts around 75,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 40,000 and 99,559.
What to do
Check the coolant level cold and look for oil around the engine.
Our guideCoolant Leak: The Five Places It Comes FromPowertrain14%389 complaintsStalling at stops and at low speed
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What owners describe
Vehicle stalls, cuts off for no apparent reason. Most recently on an exit ramp, almost got hit from behind. Will usually start right back up and run normally. Has happened 4 times in the last 6 weeks. Dealer could find no codes, left at dealership over weekend, but it didn't happen for them. My sister has the same year, make, model, and problem.
Every time we come to a complete stop the escape stalls and you need to re-start the car. I've brought to a dealer and they think its the torque convertors which is inside the transmission. Some escapes with this same year have been recalled already but when I checked with my dealer they said my has not. They estimated the cost of the fix at $4000.
WIPRMAMARead 4 more owner reports+4
2013 Ford escape, stalling, loosing power dash lighting up while driving. Dealer service dept can find nothing wrong.
When the Ford escapes from 50 to 60 miles it starts with a tremor in the front of the engine, the shaking does not feel in the guie
While driving the check engine light stays on with code p0128. I check this code is the thermostat defective or something else causing the problem. I did not notice any coolant loss or leaks is this an internal problem. I think this is a on going problem with this 2013 Ford escape. Ford should take responsibility and own this problem not the owners of the vehicle.
When driving at highway speed suv jerks - sputters not all the time but the last time it was like a machine gun at 60mph. It stores no codes. Been to Ford 3 times the 2nd time a code of miss firing they change all plugs and coils. Was on the highway a week later something.
When it starts
Usually starts around 81,500 miles. Half of owners reported it between 48,250 and 120,000.
What to do
Come to a full stop several times and watch for a stall.
Our guideBad Transmission Symptoms: Seven Causes Ranked by CostElectrical system12%331 complaintsStalling, a check engine light, wiring repairs
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What owners describe
Purchased aug 2012 had nothing but problems since day one wipers,rattles in front end steering stalls on take off also a gas smell strong makes eyes water wife will not drive car I am a retired Ford tech 20 years experience with Ford.
My engine light came on and my car started to stall and not drive. It started to skip and at as if it was not going to go while driving. When I stopped it started to act as if it was going to cut off in the street. I had to get it towed to a dealership. They said it was my engine wiring system. Cost 500 dollars to fix.
CTTXNYMNRead 4 more owner reports+4
Car has continued to stall.= repair was done and splices were replaced in bulliten and test drive. Appears to be like recall on my vehicle but manufactured earlier in 2013. Seeking reimbursement from Ford
My wife and 6 year old grand daughter were traveling east bound highway 190 and vehicle started smoking from the vents and shut off in traffic. My wife wrestled the stalled car to the media where itt died. I had just traded a 2011 escape with a similar problem. It only had 28 k in mileage and it never made warranty.\ Ford wont even return my calls.
First problem april 2016 - engine shaking at 55/60 mph - rear transaxle mount replaced 5/3/16 second problem - car stalling and shaking / but not turning off - towed 5/11/16 - replaced main harness wiring 5/12/16 third problem - car stalled / not starting - towed again 5/12/16 - replaced left ac mount, now to replace right ac mount. Still at dealer - 5/31/16
When entering the screen shows powering off to conserve battery. Lights go off and steering wheel and start button lock up. This issue occurred two weeks ago and the battery then would not charge. Bought a new battery from dealer and now the problem is repeating. 32,000 miles and no accidents. Parked in garage both times.now 9/26/19
When it starts
Usually starts around 61,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 26,000 and 89,000.
What to do
Watch the dash at startup and on the test drive.
Our guideCar Shuts Off While Idling or Driving? Causes and What to DoSteering11%298 complaintsPower steering assist that quits
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What owners describe
Steering locks up driving down the road. Its like having no control over the car. You can turn it but it takes a very stong person to turn the steering wheel. This has been going on for 3 months. Starting november 2018 and is still on going. Took to Ford they dont want to fix the problem
Power steering quit instantly making steering impossible. Restarted engine 15 minutes later and was able to drive. Took to dealer where same error code showed and power steering quit again. Had repairs done for $1600 at 49,500 miles. Fortunately, vehicle sitting still when steering went out.
MIFLRead 2 more owner reports+2
Power steering stops working 5 times in the last 2 months. Ford says no recall. Our concern is a safety issue that could cause an accident. So far this has happened in a stationary position. Worried it will happen when driving.
Upon vehicle startup discovered power steering assist had failed- unable to drive vehicle safely. Managed to wrestle the steering to backup car from street into driveway. Dealer says control module and steering gear in a sealed unit- must replace entire unit at cost of about $1800.
When it starts
Usually starts around 81,280 miles. Half of owners reported it between 51,000 and 103,000.
What to do
Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and watch for a steering warning.
Fuel and power delivery9%246 complaintsStalling at low speed, fuel leaks, fires
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What owners describe
At low speeds (<20 mph) engine would intermittently stall. Occurred 3 times--once on a state park road, once on a neighborhood street, and once on an interstate access road. Dealer replaced "fuel low pressure sensor" and reset "keep alive memory and misfire monitor" according to repair invoice.
While driving down highway 52 yesterday evening my Ford escape 2013 caught on fire. I was able to pull to the side after it seized (brakes quit in the process) and had to jump out the passenger side door as the whole engine was on fire and engulfing the driver side.
VAVTRead 2 more owner reports+2
My 2013 Ford escape se 1.6l caught fire in motion due to a fuel leak on a city street. Brakes failed and emergency brake was used to stop and get out as smoke and flames came through the vents.
Vehicle occasionally stalls out at low idle, either when stationary or attempting to drive up hill in forward after backing out into street. This is not triggering an error code and several mechanics cannot diagnose the issue. After completing some research, it sounds like this is a common issue with 2013 Ford escapes.
When it starts
Usually starts around 76,124 miles. Half of owners reported it between 55,310 and 100,437.
What to do
Smell for fuel under the hood after a drive.
Check engine codes owners report
10 owners name P1299 (a Ford-specific code) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Electrical system complaints start earliest, typically around 61,000 miles. Powertrain complaints start latest, around 81,500 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Ford Escape complaints by model year
2013 has the most complaints of any Escape year. The engine is named most in 4 other Escape years.
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2013 has the most complaints of any Escape year. The engine is named most in 4 other Escape years.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape have kept arriving since 2012, with peaks in 2018 and 2019. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
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2013 Ford Escape recalls
18 recall campaigns cover the 2013 Ford Escape. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2013 Ford Escape crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2013 Ford Escape four stars overall, the same for 4x2 and 4x4. Its defect office has opened three investigations that cover this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2013 Ford Escape’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 18% to 19%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2013 Ford Escape
These checks follow what 2013 Escape owners reported most: engine leaks and overheating, then stalling and steering faults. The VIN check comes first here, because this model year carries a long list of recalls.
- 1Run the VIN for open recalls
This year has a long list of recall campaigns, several for the engine and fuel lines.
- 2Check the coolant cold
Leaks and overheating come up in the engine complaints.
- 3Smell for fuel under the hood
Fuel leaks show up in the fuel complaints, some ending in a fire.
- 4Come to a full stop a few times
Stalling at stops runs through the powertrain and electrical complaints.
- 5Turn the wheel lock to lock
Steering complaints describe the power assist cutting out.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
Owners name the engine most (1,264 complaints), then powertrain (389) and electrical system (331).
Is 2013 a good year for the Ford Escape?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the engine complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Escape?
Yes. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford Escape: power train (2), structure, electrical system (2), latches/locks/linkages (3), airbags (2), seats, engine and engine cooling (2), brakes, fuel system (2), engine, equipment. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape problems start?
Electrical system complaints start earliest, around 61,000 miles. Powertrain complaints come later, around 81,500 miles.
Which Escape years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2013 and 2017 model years have the most in the file, and the 2025 and 2024 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.