2013 Ford Escape: Use caution

1. Engine45% · 329 complaints · median 28,000 miles
2. Electrical19% · 135 complaints · median 34,000 miles
3. Powertrain11% · 78 complaints · median 21,000 miles
4. Fuel and propulsion9% · 68 complaints · median 40,000 miles
5. Steering7% · 53 complaints · median 47,000 miles
6. Body and structure7% · 48 complaints · median 26,000 miles
7. Brakes6% · 42 complaints · median 23,000 miles
8. Speed control5% · 38 complaints · median 23,000 miles
9. Air bags5% · 36 complaints · median 13,000 miles
10. Seats and belts4% · 27 complaints · median 36,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

• NHTSA 26V011000January 2026116,672 vehicles

  Equipment: electrical: engine block heater

  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.

  Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

  Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.

• NHTSA 22V413000June 20222,925,968 vehicles

  Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod · Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

  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.

  Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge.

• NHTSA 20V331000June 20202,147,323 vehicles

  Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

  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.

  Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.

• NHTSA 18V471000July 2018504,182 vehicles

  Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

  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.

  Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge.

• NHTSA 16V643000September 20162,046,297 vehicles

  Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

  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.

  Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge.

• NHTSA 15V813000December 20159,017 vehicles

  Electrical system: wiring

  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).

  Risk: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge.

• NHTSA 14V597000September 2014746,842 vehicles

  Seat belts · Air bags: side/window · Air bags

  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.

  Risk: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge.

• NHTSA 14V495000August 2014133,227 vehicles

  Electrical system: wiring

  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).

  Risk: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge.

• NHTSA 14V237000May 2014594,785 vehicles

  Air bags: side/window · Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

  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.

  Risk: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge.

• NHTSA 14V239000May 2014581,986 vehicles

  Structure: body: door

  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.

  Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge.

• NHTSA 14V164000April 201443,135 vehicles

  Seats: front assembly: recliner

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

  Risk: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge.

• NHTSA 13V583000November 2013139,917 vehicles

  Engine

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through June 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6L engines. The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak.

  Risk: Leaking engine oil may come into contact with a hot engine surface potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, free of charge.

• NHTSA 13V584000November 20139,469 vehicles

  Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine subject to prior safety recall NHTSA 12V-336. In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The misinstalled fuel line could chafe and eventually leak fuel.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge.

• NHTSA 13V085000March 20135,675 vehicles

  Latches/locks/linkages

  Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.

  Risk: The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge.

• NHTSA 12V551000December 201280,057 vehicles

  Engine and engine cooling

  This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.

  Risk: If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle’s powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software.

• NHTSA 12V431000September 20126,146 vehicles

  Engine and engine cooling

  Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.

  Risk: As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge.

• NHTSA 12V336000July 20129,320 vehicles

  Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  NHTSA advisory: do not drive until repaired

  Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.

  Risk: If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.

  Fix: Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle.

• NHTSA 12V319000July 20128,266 vehicles

  Structure · Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

  Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2012 through june 7, 2012. Due to mis-positioned carpet padding the center console trim panel may be pushed outboard of the intended position, reducing clearance relative to the pedal package.

  Risk: The reduced clearance may result in the driver’s foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Ford sent NHTSA 155 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2013 Escape. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

• SSM 54601 · February 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code.
• 25B61 · February 2026Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Inspection and Protective Service Cap Installation
• SSM 50804 · May 2022Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln phone applications…
• SSM 49210 · September 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket.
• TSB 19-2287 · September 2019Some 2013-2016 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a lack of cooling caused by the A/C inlet line breaking at the compressor.
• SSM 48123 · August 2019For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern.
• SSM 47976 · May 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the…
• SSM 47850 · April 2019Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the…

All 2013 Escape bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2013 Ford Escape reliable?

Owners filed 726 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 253 for every 100,000 sold: 1.3× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare Escape years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.

What are the most common 2013 Escape problems?

Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (45%), the electrical system (19%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (11%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the 2013 Ford Escape been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford Escape, the most recent in January 2026 (equipment). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.