2013 Ford Escape Problems – What You Need To Know!

2013 Ford Escape problems are related to either the engine, the interior, the transmission, the body and paint, the steering system, the cooling system, and the electrical system. At the same time, the 2013 Ford Escape is not the worst model year for Ford Escape, the number and type of problems reported raise red flags on this vehicle. 

One of the best approaches to look into any vehicle’s problems is to listen to what current owners say about their vehicles. Luckily, multiple websites allow people to provide information about mechanical problems they face during the lifetime of their vehicles.

For instance, the 2013 Ford Escape received a total of 409 reported complaints on carcomplaints.com, 812 reported complaints to vehiclehistory.com, and 187 reported complaints to Edmunds.com. 

In this article, we provide the results of our intensive reviews to most reported complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape. In summary, we indicate the problem category, suggested repair options and repair costs, and the mileage at which the problem occurred. 

This way, the article helps current owners for the 2013 Ford Escape predict the type of mechanical problems they will face. Furthermore, our article assists new shoppers in making an informed decision about whether to buy this vehicle or not. 

 

2013 Ford Escape Description

 

Before we discuss the details about the 2013 Ford Escape problems, we would like to provide a quick overview of the vehicle’s characteristics and main features. 

According to Cars.usnews.com, the 2013 Ford Escape was ranked as one of the 2013 Best Compact SUVs for the Money Award. The vehicle was featured for the great handling, the good fuel economy, and the relatively roomy cargo space. 

The 2013 Ford Escape seats up to five passengers and gets from 21 to 23 miles per gallon on city roads and 28 to 33 miles per gallon on the highways. The vehicle comes with either a front-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive option and provides up to 240 horsepower. 

This vehicle comes with either a 1.6 L, 2.0 L, or 2.5 L four-cylinder engine. This engine is associated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 Ford Escape provides from 1,500 to 2,000 lbs of towing capacity.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for the 2013 Ford Escape is about $23,295. 

2013 Ford Escape Problems

In this section, we provide a summary of the most reported problems about the 2013 Ford Escape Problems. Most reported problems about this vehicle were related to either the engine, the interior, the transmission, the body, and paint, or the steering.

 

• 2013 Ford Escape Engine Problems

 

 

Engine problems are one of the worst types of problems any driver would like to deal with. Engine repair costs are usually at the high-end when it comes to mechanical repairs. 

Unfortunately, the most reported problems about the 2013 Ford Escape are related to the engine. These problems included engine stalling, check engine light illuminating, engine failure, and engine fire. 

More than forty people reported engine stalling suddenly without any warning signs. To get the problem resolved, they had to either replace the fuel sensor, the coolant bypass valve, the wiring, or the electronic throttle body. The Average reported repair cost to fix this problem was $490, and the problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 50,000 miles. 

The check engine light is used by the internal computer of the vehicle to tell if there is a mechanical problem. Frequent check engine light illuminating was reported by many owners of the 2013 Ford Escape. The problem was resolved by either replacing the wiring harness, the turbocharger, or the sensor. The average repair cost for the check engine light issue was about $990, and the problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 32,000 miles. 

More than ten owners reported engine failure with their 73,000 miles 2013 Ford Escape. The problem was fixed by installing a new engine for about $2,140. Surprisingly, engine problems were reported by the same vehicles more than one time. These owners had to install a new engine more than one time in the same vehicle. 

Five owners also reported engine fire despite their regular maintenance to the vehicles. While they did not provide information about repair options or repair costs, they indicated that engine fire occurred mostly at vehicles around 41,000 miles. 

 

• 2013 Ford Escape interior Problems

 

 

Following engine problems, the 2013 Ford Escape interior problems were the second most reported by current and previous owners. Most interior problems were either related to the navigation system, the plastic used in the interior, the audio system, or the seating. 

Several owners reported that their navigation system suddenly shut down without any warning signs. This shut down extended to the climate, sound, and telephone. The problem was resolved by installing a new module or hard reboot. The complaints did not include information about repair costs. However, they indicated that navigation problems occurred mostly at vehicles around 13,000 miles. 

Although the 2013 Ford Escape was described as the “King of the Small SUVs,” several owners were not very satisfied with the plastic material used in the interior and described it as “cheap.” These complaints were received from recent owners of relatively new vehicles that have only about 8,000 miles. 

More than five owners reported that they couldn’t shut off the audio for some reason even when they removed the buttons. The problem was resolved by pushing off the buttons. The Average reported repair cost for audio problems was about $500, and the problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 19,000 miles. 

Lastly, more than five owners reported having severed pain when driving the 2013 Ford Escape due to the uncomfortable seating. These owners had relatively new vehicles with about 6,900 miles. 

 

• 2013 Ford Escape transmission Problems

 

 

Similar to engine problems, transmission problems are also one of the worst types of mechanical problem that requires high repair costs. Most reported transmission problems with this vehicle were related to transmission failure, transmission slipping, and transmission shifting unexpectedly. 

At least 20 owners reported a complete transmission failure suddenly and in the middle of the traffic without a clear reason why, and despite the regular maintenance and the gentle use. The problem required installing a new transmission for about $4,530 on average. Transmission failure occurred mostly at vehicles around 72,000 miles. 

Transmission slipping was also reported by many owners of the 2013 Ford Escape with about 66,000 miles. Most owners showed great frustration about this problem as they owned the vehicle for less than six months. Transmission slipping required repairing the transmission for about $2,710 on average to get the problem resolved. 

At least two owners complained that their transmission would shift on its own without touching it, which made driving completely unsafe. The problem was reported by vehicles around 17,000 miles.

 

• 2013 Ford Escape body and paint Problems

 

 

Body and paint problems were the fourth most reported problem category about this vehicle. Body and paint problems included issues with the door latch, premature rust, issues with the power liftgate, and bubbling paint.

It looks like door latch issues were not only reported about this Ford model; other different models around the same year had issues with the broken door latch. The problem with this model was resolved by either replacing the door locking system or the door latch. The average repair cost for this issue was about $350, and the problem was reported mostly by vehicles around 52,000 miles. 

Several owners reported seeing excessive rust on the vehicle’s external, making it look really bad and allowing for more damages. The problem was resolved by repainting the part. While the complaints did not include information about repair costs, they mentioned that excessive rust occurred mostly at vehicles around 48,000 miles.

A group of owners also reported a malfunction with the power liftgate. They had to reboot the computer to get the problem resolved. Issues with the power lift occurred mostly at vehicles around 5,550 miles. 

Paint bubbling was also another common problem about the 2013 Ford Escape body and paint. The complaints did not include information about repair options or repair costs, but parts needed a repaint. This issue occurred mostly at vehicles around 58,000 miles. 

 

• 2013 Ford Escape steering system Problems

 

 

Steering problems were also reported many times about the 2013 Ford Escape. These problems included issues with the power steering, the steering assist fault, and issues with the steering sensitivity. 

The power steering failure was still reported by owners of the 2013 model, although the company recalled 2008 to the 2011 models for the same problem, as mentioned by one of the owners. To get the problem resolved, they had to either replace the steering rack, the sealed power steering unit, or the pinion. The average repair cost for steering failure was about $1,330, and the problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 58,000 miles. 

The 2013 Ford Escape also had issues with the steering assist. The issue with this part caused several owners to crash as they were not able to control the vehicle. The problem was resolved by replacing the rack and the pinion for about $1,410. Steering assist issues occurred mostly at vehicles around 85,000 miles. 

The last problem we would like to highlight here has to do with the steering sensitivity. At least one owner reported that the steering was very sensitive as it moves fast and non-precisely in his 200 miles vehicle.   

 

• 2013 Ford Escape cooling system Problems

 

 

Cooling system problems were also common in the 2013 Ford Escape. Most of these problems were related to either issue with the coolant consumption, water pump, or leaking.

At least ten owners reported that their 2013 Ford Escape vehicles consume too much coolant. The issue was resolved by replacing the radiator and the reservoir for about $980. This problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 60,000 miles. 

Water pump failure was reported frequently about this vehicle. This failure occurred suddenly while driving without any previous warning signs. The problem was resolved by replacing the water pump for about $990. 

A couple of owners reported an internal coolant leak as they were not able to determine the location of the leak immediately—the problem required about $4,000 on repair costs at vehicles around 73,000 miles. 

 

• 2013 Ford Escape electrical system Problems

 

 

Electrical problems were reported by more than 30 owners of the 2013 Ford Escape. These problems were related to issues with the battery, or horn module. 

Ten owners reported having issues with a frequent dead battery at vehicles around 56,000 miles. The problem was resolved only by replacing and installing a new battery for about $180.

A couple of owners reported issues with the horn module as they had to replace the horn modules for about $220. The problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 66,000 miles. 

2013 Ford Escape Reviews – What do 2013 Ford Escape owners say about their car?

 

In this section, we included information about what current owners think of their 2013 Ford Escape Problems. 

 

• 2013 Ford Escape owner one

 

 

This owner reported significant issues with his vehicle’s check engine light to carcomplaints.com: “Check engine light comes on, car goes into limp mode and will not accelerate. I stopped car, turned engine off and restarted car and everything is normal. I have had it back to the Ford dealer six times now for a solution to the problem, but the problem still persists.They have tried numerous fixes within the wiring harness without any success. This last time the car was with the dealer two weeks and they said they replaced the wiring harness.I have had the car back now for four days and have had no problems to this date. I hope it is fixed, but it seems like no one at Ford has the foggiest idea about what causes the problem or how to correct it. It makes me wonder every time I pull out into traffic if the vehicle will operate properly. If not, it could be a potentially dangerous situation for myself, family, and other vehicles.”

 

• 2013 Ford Escape owner two

 

 

The second owner reported a problem with the vehicle’s transmission to Edmunds.com: “Trouble almost from day one.

Car pulls to the side during acceleration, it shifts very hard like it is having transmission problems.

Had it recalled 3 different times leaving me with a rental car for weeks.

The radio does not always turn off when I open the door to exit the vehicle, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

The rear lift gate doesn't always lock, it allows you to open it but then the alarm goes off.

You never know if the blue tooth system will connect to my phone thru the speakers or thru privacy mode.

Turning radius is horrible, and visibility is the worst in any vehicle I have ever had.

Trading it ASAP.”

 

• 2013 Ford Escape owner three

 

 

The third owner complained issues with his vehicle’s electrical system to vehiclehistory.com: “I have had a lot of issues with this car. First there are more recalls on this car than any other one I have had. The door latches stop working at least once a year. The seatbelts get jammed. The air conditioning shuts off when it is too hot outside. The car runs smoothly enough, but will overheat in high temperatures. I love the sun roof which is wonderful to have to look at the sky. The touch screen for music is pretty neat. It also has control of the temperature, Bluetooth, and phone.”

Conclusion

 

Most reported problems about the 2013 Ford Escape had to do with the engine, interior, transmission, body and paint, steering, cooling, and electrical systems.

The number of reported complaints doesn’t always mean something significant in the vehicle, and shoppers should stay away from it. Unfortunately, most reported complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape had to do with the engine and the transmission and required relatively high repair costs up to $4500. 

Now you know what type of information the 2013 Ford Escape would have, if you are a new shopper, you might need to step back and think about the different problems and see if it is worth buying this vehicle. If you are a current owner, it is good to know what type of problems you will face and how to resolve them. If you got to a stage where the repair costs are getting super high, you might start thinking of getting rid of this vehicle. Luckily, Cash Car Buyer can help you and buy any unwanted vehicle despite its condition. Give us a call and get the details!