The Lemon Index2013 Ford Escape.
The 2013 Ford Escape is worse than average by owner complaints: 557 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 155, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 18 recalls, and it gets 24 to 26 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2019 Ford Escape, 19.1M views. The 2013 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.6M views
2013-2016 Ford Escape Battery Replacement FAST!NNKH 2 · 394K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter1.5M views
2013-2019 Ford Explorer Escape Fusion 6F35 Six Speed Transmission Fluid Change ProcedureFordTechMakuloco · 631K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
2013-2014 Ford Escape Poor A/C Performance Quick FixFordTechMakuloco · 433K views · 6 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring900K views
How To: Change the Headlights in a 2013 to 2019 Ford EscapeO'Reilly Auto Parts · 347K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system624K views
2013-2016 Ford Escape 1.6L Ecoboost P26B7 Coolant Bypass Valve "C" ReplacementFordTechMakuloco · 318K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS537K views
2013-2019 Ford Escape Full Brake Job. (Front & Rear)Repair Geek · 313K views · 3 videos - Steering & suspension407K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearings & Hubs 2013-2019 Ford EscapeTRQ · 140K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors259K views
How To Find The Keypad Door Code On 2013 - 2019 Ford Escape - Driver's Door Key Pad Code LocationPYR Automotive · 130K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford Escape SUV 2013-2019 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 397K views
Ford Escape 2013-2019 Problems, Engines and ReliabilityMaxTheCarGuy · 191K views
TOP 5 Problems with the FORD ESCAPE ( 3rd Generation 2013-2019)Alex The Car Doctor · 79K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 2,755 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Escape year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 43K to 104K miles on the car (1,970 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–99K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 48K–120K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 26K–88K miles
Recalls 18
- equipment 2026
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
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.
Show all 18 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
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.
- electrical 2015
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).
- airbags 2014
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.
- electrical 2014
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).
- body structure 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.
- airbags 2014
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.
- seats 2014
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2013
In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall.
- engine 2013
The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak.
- latches/locks/linkages 2013
The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly.
- engine 2012
Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.
- engine 2012
The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
- fuel system, gasoline 2012
These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.
- brakes 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2012 THROUGH JUNE 7, 2012.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 155 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to evaporative emissions vapor ejected, that was installed backwards and blocks vapor…
- The driver seat hard stops must be calibrated, when power driver seat module (dsm) has been…
- Lincoln/ford: due to seal and/or bushing wearing caused by halfshaft surface finish, on some…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedLoss of motive power2018–2024
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape SUV 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape SUV 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While slowing down for a stop light on a busy state highway, and without warning vehicle stalled. Loss of electric temporarily. No collision bc vehicle behind me was able to swerve.
2013 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10654019
More owner reports
Driving down street when vehicle suddenly went into limp mode. Vehicle has had numerous previous engine fault service readings on screen. Dealer has been unable to repair. In shop again.
NHTSA complaint 10749970
This engine has been stalling. It seems to stall when slowing for a turn or an intersection. I seen there was a recall issued for some escapes with the same year as mine. Why were not all escapes recalled for this condition?
NHTSA complaint 10882921
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 155; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2013 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (45%), electrical (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Escape have?
18 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Escape get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Ford Escape safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,800 and 104,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 1,970 complaints.
Does the 2013 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Ford Escape have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works