2013 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Ford Escape ranks 3rd worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90, 2,749 complaints, and 18 recalls. Engine problems make up 53% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 78,000, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Escape years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,749
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 18
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 49
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 90
- Injuries
- 54
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 54 / 0
Top 2013 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine1,468 (53%)
- Transmission & Powertrain401 (15%)
- Electrical System348 (13%)
- Other305 (11%)
- Steering302 (11%)
- Fuel System286 (10%)
- Structure & Body152 (6%)
- Brakes107 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires64 (2%)
- Airbags54 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine surging or revving on its own while stopped at lights or idling, sometimes causing the vehicle to lurch forward into another car.
- Some describe the vehicle smoking from the vents and shutting off in traffic, followed by an electrical burning smell.
- Several owners report flames engulfing the vehicle after smelling an electrical burning odor while driving.
- Side and rear airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes, leading to injuries.
- The rear hatch electronic lock reportedly failed on its own, causing the hatch to lift and hit a garage door.
- Owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into reverse or lurching while parked or shifting gears.
2013 Ford Escape recalls
18 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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 letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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 notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
- NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: 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 determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
2013 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford Escape reliable?
- Compared with other Escape model years, 2013 ranks 3rd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and 2,749 NHTSA complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What are the main problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
- Engine issues account for 53% of complaints (1,468 complaints) with a median failure mileage of 78,000. Transmission and powertrain problems make up another 15%, and electrical system issues are 13%.
- Does the 2013 Ford Escape have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the 2013 Escape, including one do-not-drive recall, covering transmission shifter cable bushings, door latches, wiring splices, and seat belt restraint control modules.
- How does the 2013 Escape compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 90 is higher than most other Escape years except 2017 (index 100) and 2020 (index 95). Years like 2007 (index 10) and 2024 (index 15, Best verdict) rank far lower in reported problems.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford Escape?
- The 2013 Escape is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.