NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 23 recalls, 2739 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Ford Escape.
24–26 mpg combined
9–9.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2013 Ford Escape draws a heavy volume of owner complaints, with the engine generating by far the most reports. Owners frequently describe coolant loss leading to overheating and, in many cases, complete engine failure, a pattern that comes up repeatedly across the complaint set. Turbo-related damage and engine failure that leaves the vehicle undriveable are common endpoints in these reports. The powertrain is the second most-reported system, with owners describing transmission disengagement, inability to shift out of park, and in some cases total loss of drive while the vehicle was in motion. Steering complaints form the third cluster, where owners report the steering wheel suddenly becoming very stiff and requiring significantly more effort to turn, with no warning light appearing beforehand.
2,739
Total Complaints
50
Crash-Related
88
Fire-Related
47
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Ford Escape has 23 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks tied to the 1.6L engine, where coolant loss, oil leaks, and fuel line failures can each allow flammable fluid to reach hot exhaust surfaces and ignite.
Several of these fire risks are connected: a freeze plug can dislodge and drain coolant, causing the engine to overheat and crack the cylinder head, which leaks oil onto hot surfaces. Fuel lines on 1.6L models can also split or chafe and leak near ignition sources. On 2.0L models, the engine block heater can crack and short-circuit when plugged in, also raising fire risk. A shifter cable bushing can degrade and detach, leaving the transmission unable to engage the intended gear and allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly.
On the doors, a handle misalignment can cause doors to open while driving, and a latch component can break and leave a door appearing closed when it is not; prior repair attempts on the latch did not fully resolve the problem for some vehicles. The front seat recliner welds can fail, causing the seatback to loosen or lean. A software error in the airbag control module can delay side-curtain rollover deployment, and a wiring fault can prevent airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from firing in a crash. Mispositioned carpet padding can reduce pedal clearance and increase stopping distances.
At a glance
What can fail
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater or install a threaded plug and remove the electrical cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber bushing connecting the shifter cable to the transmission can wear down or come loose, potentially affecting shift control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the worn bushing and install a protective cap over the cable bushing at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A door latch component may break, making doors hard to close or allowing doors to appear closed when they're actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect door latches and replace them if needed at no cost. Owners can also check latch date codes online to verify if repair was done correctly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber bushing connecting the transmission shifter cable can wear and separate from the transmission. This may let you shift to Park and remove the key while the transmission stays in a different gear, with no warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A component inside the door latches can break, causing doors to fail to latch or appear closed when they are actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine wiring connections to the MAP sensor may not compress properly, causing incorrect signals to the engine control module.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the crimped wire splices with new ones at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The protective coating on the Restraint Control Module can crack. When moisture gets in, electrical circuits inside may short out.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Restraint Control Module with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The restraint control module software may contain errors that delay deployment of the side-curtain rollover airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the restraint control module at no cost to restore proper airbag deployment function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exterior door handle may not align properly with the door panel, causing it to bind. This could allow the door to open while driving or make it hard to close.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect all four door handles and reposition them as needed to correct the alignment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exterior door handle may be misaligned with the door panel, causing doors to be difficult to close or potentially open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and adjust the door handle mounting as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seatbacks may have weak welds on the recliner mechanism attachment, causing the seatback to be structurally insufficient.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seatback assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driver and passenger seatbacks may separate from their frames due to improper welding in the recliner mechanism. This can cause the seatback to become noisy, loose, or lean forward, reducing crash protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driver and passenger seatback assemblies.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On 1.6L engines, the cylinder head can overheat and crack, causing oil leaks onto hot surfaces and potentially starting a fire. Fuel lines from a prior recall may be routed incorrectly and chafe, causing fuel leaks that could ignite.
What the fix does
Dealers will improve engine heat shielding and cooling systems, and inspect and replace fuel lines if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly during a prior repair. The mispositioned line could chafe and eventually leak fuel.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel line and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cylinder head may overheat in localized areas, causing cracks that allow oil to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling, and control systems at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The coolant system may leak, causing the engine to overheat and leak flammable fluids.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect for coolant leaks and update the engine control and dashboard software with improved overheat protection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 1.6L engine can overheat while running, causing flammable fluids to leak and contact the hot exhaust system, creating a fire risk in the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control and dashboard modules to better detect overheating and inspect for coolant leaks, making repairs as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cylinder head freeze plug may loosen and fall out, causing the engine to lose coolant.
What the fix does
Dealers will seal the existing plug and install a secondary plug cover to prevent coolant loss.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cylinder head freeze plug can loosen and fall out, causing coolant to leak. This leads to engine overheating and coolant water to evaporate, leaving behind concentrated antifreeze that can catch fire near an ignition source.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the freeze plug. If it's loose or leaking, the entire cylinder head will be replaced. If it's secure, a sealant and cover plate will be installed over it.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel line in the engine compartment may be incorrectly made and develop a leak. Leaking fuel near an ignition source could cause a fire.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel line in the engine compartment may split and leak in certain 2013 Escape vehicles with 1.6L engines built between October 2011 and July 2012.
What the fix does
A Ford or Lincoln dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line at no cost. A rental vehicle will be provided if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Carpet padding is positioned incorrectly, allowing the center console trim panel to shift outward and reduce clearance near the pedals.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the misplaced carpet padding and replace the left-side console trim panel with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Carpet padding in the driver's foot area was installed incorrectly, pushing the carpet and console trim closer to the accelerator pedal. This may cause the driver's foot to shift left, so when moving from accelerator to brake, the foot may hit the brake pedal's side, delaying braking.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the carpet padding and replace the left-side console trim panel.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
