2013 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability

The 2013 Ford Escape has 2743 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 18 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag 2013-2019 generation:.

Safety record for the 2013 model year

2,743
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
50
Crash reports
88
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2013 a good year for the Escape?

Across the 9 Escape model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2000) to 4,828 (2008). With 2,743 complaints, the 2013 Escape sits abovethe model's median of 1,749.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine
1264
power train
400
electrical system
340
steering
302
fuel/propulsion system
247

Recalls affecting the 2013 Escape

power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

Campaign 18V471000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the t

structure:body:door

Campaign 14V239000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door oute

electrical system:wiring

Campaign 15V813000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient

latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Campaign 16V643000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and powertrain, with no single consensus. Long-term owners of the first-generation (circa 2001-2007) and second-generation (circa 2008-2012) models with V6 engines report them as durable "tanks"…

  • 2013-2019 Generation:
  • Catastrophic engine failure (coolant intrusion into cylinders) – Affects 1.5L, 1.6L, and some 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Described as a design defect leading to eventual engine replacement. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Escape. See the full Escape owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Escape listings typically run $21,780–$28,463 across 2015 to 2026 model years.

Other Escape model years

Compare every Escape year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Escape against its rivals