With almost 2,000 complaints registered with the NHTSA, the 2013 Ford Edge stands as the model’s most problematic. Half of the owner complaints concern the door ajar warning light staying on, something Ford has refused to issue a recall for.
Key Points
- The 2013 Ford Edge has two recalls and over 1,900 owner complaints registered with the NHTSA, both fairly serious.
- Recalls cover half-shafts that can disengage while the vehicle is in motion and flawed fuel lines that could cause a fire.
- The most widespread problem with the 2013 Edge is the “door ajar” warning light staying on despite all doors being closed.
- Some owners have also reported that the brake pedal goes straight to the floor when pressed, or feels stiffer than it should.
- A problem in the throttle body assembly caused a loss of engine power while in motion for several owners.
2013 Ford Edge’s Two Recalls Cover Loss of Engine Power and a Fuel Leak That Can Result in a Fire
The Ford Edge debuted for the 2007 model year, bridging the gap between the compact Escape and full-size Explorer. Most model years had more than a few common issues, but according to owner reports, the 2013 Edge is one of the SUV’s most problematic.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records Ford has recalled the 2013 Edge two times, both over serious problems.
Models equipped with 2.0L engines were recalled to have their fuel line replaced with an updated design. Ford acknowledged that the fuel pulse damper housing could crack due to poor manufacturing. The crack could result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The second 2013 Edge recall concerns an improperly installed half-shaft retention circlip. A disengaged half shaft can’t transmit the engine power to the wheels, leading to loss of power while driving. Additionally, the vehicle could roll away if the parking brake is not applied at a stop.
2013 Edge’s Notorious ‘Door Ajar’ Warning Light Problem Prompted NHTSA to Open an Investigation
About half of the 2013 Edge’s nearly 2,000 complaints concern the “door ajar” warning light staying on despite the doors being closed. The SUV’s computer would keep the interior lights on, thinking a door was open. Not only would that, but further disturb the driver and possibly drain the battery overnight.
What’s more, the computer would refuse to lock the door when the SUV is in motion, creating a safety hazard, especially for children. Also, the key fob won’t lock the doors when the car is parked, making it an easy target for theft.
The door ajar light problem was so widespread that the NHTSA opened an investigation in September of 2016. However, Ford has refused to recall the 2013 Edge for this issue.
More than 370 reports shared on Car Complaints show the problem usually occurs around 57,000 miles, well after the SUV’s three-year warranty.
For around $250, dealerships can clean the electrical switch inside the door latch. Still, several owners have reported that the cleaning service only works for a while.
The best way to permanently get rid of the issue is to replace the whole module, but it would cost somewhere between $400 to $600.
2013 Edge’s Brake Pedal Going to the Floor or Being Too Stiff Has Put Many Drivers in Hazardous Situations
The second most common complaint category concerns a problem with the brake pedals. Owners have mentioned the pedal intermittently goes to the floor or becomes too stiff when attempting to stop. Reports quoted mileages as low as 44,000 when the issue surfaced.
Dealers typically replace the brake booster in this situation. However, several 2013 Edge owners on popular forums have said that the issue lurks back a few months after replacing the booster.
“The brake pedal went straight to the floor!” said one owner on Ford Edge Forum. “It showed some stopping power but not enough to actually stop the car without having a good amount of distance.” He also mentioned that the same problem occurred again three months after changing the brake booster.
Some other owners managed to omit the problem by replacing the ABS module or reprogramming the powertrain control module (PCM).
Flawed Throttle Body Assembly in 2013 Ford Edge Can Cause Engine Stalls With no Warning Signs
Another reported issue is the engine losing power at various speeds. Owners predominantly say the engine stalls with no alerts or warning lights illuminating, while some Car Complaints users mentioned the panel displaying different errors such as “Low Engine Oil Pressure” or “See Manual.”
The problem primarily concerns 2013 Edge models with EcoBoost engines. According to owner reports, the issue surfaces after the 50,000-mile mark on average.
Owners have said that the engine started to operate normally after cleaning or replacing the throttle body. The average repair price sits at $390, according to Car Complaints.
2013 Ford Edge is a Problematic Crossover SUV That Buyers Should Think Twice About
2013 marked the most problematic model year of the Ford Edge. With two severe recalls and about 2,000 registered, used-car shoppers should be extra cautious when buying.
A pre-owned 2013 Ford Edge goes for around $12,380 to $16,864, according to Kelley Blue Book, but the 2013 Subaru Tribeca offers much better reliability and a more powerful base engine, all for around the same price.
For a couple of thousands of dollars more, you could go for the 2014 Ford Edge, which offers the same specs but has significantly fewer problems.
Photos: Ford
