2013 Ford Escape problems and complaints

Owners have filed 2753 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape. The most-reported areas: Engine (1268), Power Train (402), Electrical System (340).

Key takeaways

  • 2753 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 50 involve a crash, 90 a fire, 55 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine126846%
Power Train40215%
Electrical System34012%
Steering30211%
Unknown Or Other30011%
Fuel/Propulsion System2479%
Engine And Engine Cooling1756%
Vehicle Speed Control923%
Structure883%
Service Brakes753%
Latches/Locks/Linkages652%
Air Bags552%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2013 Ford Escape SUV 4x44/54/55/54/5
2013 Ford Escape SUV 4x24/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Fuel System, Gasoline - filed 2026-09-14

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fire coming from under the hood. The contact turned off the vehicle, opened the hood, and extinguished the fire using coolant stored in the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire had starte...

Power Train - filed 2026-09-10

Transmission failure needing full replacement

Unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2026-09-10

I recently purchased this vehicle for 2400.00 from a private seller. Within 3 weeks of very minor driving the car got 1 block from home and showed very hot and dumped all the coolant. And that was the 1st time it had been driven that day and it was 69 degrees outside. We let it sit for about a week and refilled the coo...

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More for the 2013 Ford Escape

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.