2013 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 3660 complaints
3660
Total Complaints
73,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
64
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
41,424
25th Percentile
73,000
Median Mileage
103,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
1259
Power Train
387
Electrical System
330
Steering
298
Unknown Or Other
295
Fuel/Propulsion System
245
Engine And Engine Cooling
160
Vehicle Speed Control
89
Body
63
Service Brakes
60
Severity Assessment
64
Crashes
128
Fires
84
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY, VERY CLOSE - DANGEROUSLY CLOSE. THE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED TO HAVE THIS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE FLAW CORRECTED. OTHERWISE, THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS DESIGN/PLACEMENT FLAW. *TR"
"THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE. WHEN I WEAR BIG SHOES, THE BACK LEFT SIDE EDGE OF MY SHOE CATCHES THE BACK SIDE OF THE BRAKE WHEN I LIFT IT OFF THE GAS. SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *TR"
"THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE. WHEN I WEAR BIG SHOES, THE BACK LEFT SIDE EDGE OF MY SHOE CATCHES THE BACK SIDE OF THE BRAKE WHEN I LIFT IT OFF THE GAS. SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *TR"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
1259 complaints
25th: 40,000 mi
Median: 75,000 mi
75th: 99,500 mi
Power Train
387 complaints
25th: 48,000 mi
Median: 80,100 mi
75th: 119,000 mi
Electrical System
330 complaints
25th: 26,000 mi
Median: 60,700 mi
75th: 88,000 mi
Steering
298 complaints
25th: 50,500 mi
Median: 80,200 mi
75th: 100,125 mi
Unknown Or Other
295 complaints
25th: 56,250 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 106,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 254
CA: 248
FL: 231
PA: 202
MI: 188
OH: 182
GA: 144
NY: 142
VA: 141
NC: 130
Who Files Complaints?
1%
Original Owners
99%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (18)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Floor Shift
Campaign 18V471000 | 16/07/2018
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recal
Door
Campaign 14V239000 | 07/05/2014
A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S03.
Wiring
Campaign 15V813000 | 02/12/2015
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.
Latch
Campaign 16V643000 | 06/09/2016
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Air Bags
Campaign 14V597000 | 26/09/2014
The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Campaign 14V237000 | 07/05/2014
If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.
Wiring
Campaign 14V495000 | 11/08/2014
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.
Recliner
Campaign 14V164000 | 02/04/2014
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 12V551000 | 03/12/2012
If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicles hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicles powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently no
Pedals And Linkages
Campaign 12V319000 | 06/07/2012
THE REDUCED CLEARANCE MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVER?S FOOT CONTACTING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE TRANSFERRING THE FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND THE RISK OF A CRASH.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING AND LEFT-SIDE CONSOLE TRIM PANEL REPLACED WITH A NEW PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 13V584000 | 25/11/2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014. The recall began on April 9, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13
Engine
Campaign 13V583000 | 25/11/2013
Leaking engine oil may come into contact with a hot engine surface potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014. The recall began on April 9, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
Campaign 13V085000 | 07/03/2013
The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 12V336000 | 18/07/2012
If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.
Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle. Customers will be provided with a rental vehicle if needed. The dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line, free charge. The recall began on Augu
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 12V431000 | 04/09/2012
As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Latch
Campaign 20V331000 | 08/06/2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 22V413000 | 10/06/2022
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notifica
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 26V011000 | 15/01/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim lett
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28