To get a good idea of how much you might spend on this costly engine repair, we need to know the Ford Escape specs, the worst engine issues in the 2013 Escape, and the recalls and NHTSA concerns cited about this particular production year. As an Escape owner, you are looking at spending at least $4,000 on the total 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost!
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Ford Escape Specs
The previous model year of the Ford Escape’s exterior and interior looks outdated and old – even though it was produced in just 2012. Even so, the 2013 Ford Escape had many changes way past due.
The two-box style of car was out of date and no longer popular on the car market. Furthermore, the interior lacked style, function, and tech capabilities. Not to mention, the high repair prices were too high to make purchasing this model year even worth it – thankfully, the 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost was lower than the 2012 model.
Regarding the 2013 model, the Escape underwent a complete facelift. The new Escape is a crossover SUV that adds more cargo space for additional luggage, bigger passenger space for sitting during long road trips, and better fuel efficiency to help you help the environment.
In terms of performance and acceleration, the body motion is well-controlled and easily handled, even if you are a new Ford driver. The traction and stability control is top of the line, keeping your tires on the road at all times and preventing any unwanted sliding or slipping during icy or wet conditions.
In addition, the brake-based torque-vectoring pushes the power to the outside of the wheel, preventing tipping and skidding on the road. Along with the lower 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost, the increased handling and performance capabilities of the 2013 Escape was a welcome change from the previous year.
Even though the ride is not the most comfortable out of similar cars on the market, the shocks did well to transmit any bumps or jolts throughout the vehicle to prevent discomfort directly to the driver and passengers. When you add in the lighter curb weight compared to 2012, the new Escape idd more than just reduce the 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost.
Unfortunately, some of the downsides of the 2013 Ford EScape included a disappointing steering system. Although the system is responsive, agile, and quick, it lacks in terms of road feel. The steering does not let you feel the changes in terrain, like going from on-road to off-road, and can reduce driver safety and decision making.
2013 Ford Escape Engine Types
Lastly, and most importantly, there were engine changes in the 2013 Ford Escape. There are two kinds of engines used in this model year – the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in the SE and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine utilized in the Titanium. Both of these engines work in tandem with an automatic transmission that contains a manual shifting option.
Drivers and car critics alike found that the 1.6-liter engine provided more acceleration and power than you would initially think. There were no issues on the road in horsepower, driving up steep hills, or passing cars on the highway. The turbo-four engine provides enough power for all driving conditions and boasts a relatively low 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost.
The only concern with the 1.6-liter engine in the 2013 Escape is the non-linear power is virtually non-existent. With very little horsepower to help you accelerate in the mid-range, it performs well on start-up and at high-speeds but struggles when trying to accelerate through a wide range of speeds.
The second engine type, the 2.0-liter engine, is similar to the first one we discussed. On the road, the extra power gives the Escape needed push to avoid plateauing and reaching peak speed too soon, helping the 2013 Escape accelerate through the midrange. Even with the increase in power, the 1.6-liter has increased fuel economy to reduce the overall 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost.
2013 Ford Escape Engine Problems
Regarding all model years of the Ford Escape, the 2013 is considered one of the least reliable along with the 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2014 years. The 2005 has the highest-reported issue of excessive wheel well movement while driving, while the 2014 is often considered the worst year due to the prevalence of issues and its severity.
The top three concerns across all model years is the car no longer working in the 2014 Escape, the transmission failure in the 2006 Escape, and the computer failure in the 2005 Escape.
Regarding the 2013 Ford Escape, the top categories of concern focus on the engine, interior accessories, and transmission. The 2013 was recalled a whopping three times – with two of these times due to engine fires and failures.
The main concerns in the 2013 Escape are the engine stalling and shutting down while driving, check engine light turning on, the engine has a low idle, engine failure, and engine fires. Any one of these issues could lead to an increased 2013 Ford EScape engine replacement cost.
To fix the engine stalling and shutting down while driving, owners have to replace the fuel sensor, replace the coolant bypass valve, replace the wiring harness, and replace the electronic throttle body. The typical repair cost is around $590 to replace at 50,000 miles, which increases the total 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost.
Fixing the check engine light is around $990 to replace the wiring harness, replace the turbocharger, and replace the sensor at around 31,000 miles. Furthermore, the repair cost for fixing the engine bucking at low idle is around $720 and occurs at around 53,000 miles. Both of these concerns will increase the total 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost for owners.
Ford Escape Recalls & Problems
The 2013 Ford Escape’s concerning problems that led to recalls mainly involved the engine, transmission, and electrical system.
2020 Ford Escape Recalls
Some of the latest NHTSA issues were cited in just December of 2020. The organization stated that the engine coolant leaks from the vehicle while the engine coolant warning message stays illuminated on the instrument panel. Despite the owner refilling the coolant, engine failure still occurred, leading to a high 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost.
Furthermore, in the same month, owners reported losing coolant drastically in their car every 45 days. Even with no visible signs of damage or leaking and no pressure test signals, there were still coolant errors that could lead to engine friction, overheating, and premature engine failure.
In August of 2020, the NHTSA cited concerns regarding a similar problem. Owners reported that the vehicle would stall in the middle of driving at mid-range speeds, with the coolant and check engine warning lights flashing on the dashboard. Even when the coolant pipe was replaced, the engine failure still occurred while driving.
2018 Ford Escape Recalls
In 2018, the NHTSA noted that the vehicle overheated and stalled without warning. Multiple drivers stated that the vehicle had trouble cooling the engine, with the coolant not circulating properly and leading to excess friction, overheating, and an extremely high 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost.
The same year, owners reported that their engine suddenly died at a very low mileage – even below 100k miles on the odometer. Furthermore, owners said the engine warning indicator light would randomly illuminate and flash on the dashboard. Owens had to replace the coolant valve and coolant level sensor assembly to prevent further damage, but this was often too late to save the engine.
2017 Ford Escape Recall
In 2017, Ford Escape owners reported a premature coolant leak at very low mileage, resulting in overheating and unable to be driven safely. Dealers would diagnose the issue as the coolant valve fracturing prematurely and requires an immediate replacement. This coolant valve replacement would significantly increase the 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost for owners.
2015 Ford Escape Recall
A few years prior, in 2015, owners had slightly different complaints about the Ford Escape. The NHTSA and owners both issued statements regarding a brake light malfunction in the car, with the brake lights being inoperative and leading to unsafe driving conditions. Even though the fuse box was still intact and nothing was wrong, the lack of brake lights meant the car was dangerous to drive at night.
2013 Ford Escape Safety Rating
The 2013 Ford Escape’s safety rating is relatively high despite the 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost, and numerous recalls issued for this production year. This model’s crashworthiness ratings received a ‘Good’ rating in the ‘Moderate overlap front,’ ‘Side,’ ‘Roof strength,’ and ‘Head restraints and seats’ categories.
However, the Escape only earned a ‘Poor’ rating in the ‘Small overlap front: drive-side’ and ‘Small overlap front: passenger-side’ crash safety ratings, showing some lack of durability in crash tests. Unfortunately for 2013 Escape owners, the overall evaluation of this production year earned a ‘Poor’ rating for the average score.
2013 Ford Escape Engine Replacement Cost
When looking at whether or not you should replace your engine to keep your car running, in some cases, the replacement may not be worth the price. Depending on the health and longevity of your Ford Escape, bringing your car to a reputable junk dealer like CashCarsBuyer could be your best bet for the most cash in your pocket – quickly!
However, if you think that your Escape is in excellent condition and can last multiple more years with just an engine replacement, you are going to have to pay a hefty sum to get your car back on the road.
If you find that you can’t fix the car yourself, which those without extreme mechanical knowledge will not be able to do, you will most likely need to bring your car to a mechanic or dealership. Paying the labor costs for any engine repair is bound to be in the hundreds-of-dollars range due to the complex parts and extended time of the repair needed.
Furthermore, engine replacements typically range between $4,000 and $5,000 for the 4-cylinder engine – not to mention, this price will increase by thousands when you are talking about a V6 or V8 engine. Plus, if you let the repair go on for years and years without paying for a replacement, you will have to fork over more cash – older cars are typically more expensive to repair due to the lack of parts available.
The Bottom Line
In total, you are looking at paying at least $4,000 for the 2013 Ford Escape engine replacement cost. Now, you need to decide if this is worth it for your budget and your lifestyle!