Ford Escape’s recent model years have garnered quite a foothold on the compact SUV market. However, the model’s earlier years weren’t as impressive. For instance, the 2013 Escape turned out to be quite flawed, with plenty of recalls and a troubling number of complaints.
Key Points
- The 2013 Ford Escape comes with 16 recalls, two investigations, and over 2,000 complaints, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- The Escape’s 1.6L turbocharged inline-four struggles with a number of problems. On top of overheating issues and coolant leaks, the engine stalls unexpectedly and comes with a faulty control module.
- Several drivers report transmission shudder and rough shifts in their 2013 Ford Escape. Perhaps a more pressing issue would be the car rolling away unintentionally.
- Doors of the 2013 Ford Escape could open while the vehicle is in motion. Other problems include airbags not deploying, fuel line leaks, and improperly welded seatback assemblies.
2013 Ford Escape has Overheating Issues, Coolant Leaks, and Thousands of Complaints
Thousands of owners have reported that the Escape’s 1.6L engine suddenly loses power. There are also reports of oil and coolant leaks in addition to engine overheating and unexpected stalls. Apparently, overheating causes a crack in the engine head, which leads to the oil leaking into it.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the Escape’s engine heating issues. Per the complainants, an engine overheating warning pops up, and the coolant level indicator illuminates just before the engine dies. Technicians have found the cause to be a design flaw. A dislodged freeze plug causes the coolant to leak out.
However, there are complaints about the engine stalling without the mention of any coolant leaks. In this case, the same warning lights appear just as the engine conks out. But there are no signs of a leak, and the coolant level appears to be normal. Further, inspection revealed the cause to be a faulty engine control module forcing the engine to either shut down or go into limp mode.
Ford has addressed these problems with multiple recalls. The Escape’s 1.6L motor has two recalls that cover overheating issues and one recall against coolant leaks. Ford will check for visible leaks and modify the engine shielding, cooling, and control systems. Also, dealerships will reprogram the control module and recalibrate the instrumentation of all the affected models.
Additionally, two recalls were issued against the engine wiring harness inside the Escape 2.0L. Per the NHTSA, the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor provides incorrect signals to the engine control module and stalls the vehicle.
Unintentional Rollaways, Shaky Transmissions, and Fire Hazards have been Reported for the 2013 Ford Escape
Several drivers report transmission shudder and rough shifts in the 2013 Ford Escape. Records of transmission failure and complete loss of motive power are not uncommon either. In addition to these, owners experience the car jerking between shifts while driving at low to medium speeds.
Perhaps more concerning, though, would be the car rolling away after putting the transmission in Park. Even though it shows Park, the transmission simply stays in Neutral and the car would just roll away. There are even reports where the gear lever wouldn’t budge and remained rock solid. Ford took care of this via a recall that replaced the shifter cable bushing.
Complaints about fuel-line leaks and the smell of gasoline entering the cabin have also been reported. The NHTSA suspects a fire hazard and has two recalls on record. The first recall replaced the fuel line, while the second one was issued against some of the replaced fuel lines that may have been incorrectly installed.
2013 Ford Escape Struggles with Doors Flying Open, Improperly Welded Seat Assemblies, and Malfunctioning Airbags
Doors of the 2013 Ford Escape have latches that may break. This poses a safety risk and has left several owners frustrated. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of an injury. An investigation was launched by the NHTSA, and three recalls have since been issued. While two of them were for replacing the part, the third recall was to confirm if the repair was done correctly.
The 2013 Ford Escape has also been recalled for improperly welded driver and passenger-side seatback assemblies. Two other recalls deal with the Escape’s inappropriately positioned carpet padding. This causes the center console trim panel to be pushed outboard. The lack of clearance could result in the driver’s foot hitting the side of the brake pedal when trying to apply the brakes.
Also, there are reports of airbags not deploying in the event of an accident, causing fatal injuries. Short circuits cause the frontal airbags, side curtain airbags, and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended. Per the NHTSA, the coating on the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, the circuit board may short. There are two recalls on record.
2013 Ford Escape Seems Problematic in Almost Every Aspect
Having 16 recalls is not very reassuring for any car. The safety risk of doors flying open, airbags not deploying, the car rolling away, and the possibility of a fire are all red flags for any consumer. Also, the poorly designed 1.6L engine has every chance of becoming a royal pain in the rear.
If you’re planning to buy a used 2013 Ford Escape, you’ll want to skip the 1.6L and look for the 2.0L model. Also, since the Escape has so many recalls under its name, have a mechanic thoroughly inspect the car before you go ahead and buy it.
Photos: Ford
