YearToAvoid

2013 Ford Escape Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 286 fuel system complaints for the 2013 Ford Escape, 10% of all complaints for the year, with 15 fires and 3 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure was 75,500 miles. Two related fuel-line recalls (12V336000 and 13V584000) cover 1.6L-equipped vehicles from this build range.

Fuel System complaints
286
10% of 2,749
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
75,500 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe engine compartment fires starting while driving at highway speeds, sometimes preceded by a burning smell or grey smoke.
  • Several complaints describe fuel leaks or split fuel lines that ignited under the hood, tied to the 1.6L engine recall population.
  • Some drivers report sudden loss of engine power at low-to-moderate speeds accompanied by a fuel pump warning light before smoke or fire appeared.
  • A few owners state the fire occurred shortly after a dealer repair or recall-related service visit, with the vehicle stalling repeatedly beforehand.
  • Other reports mention flames or smoke reaching the vents while driving, forcing occupants to exit quickly, in some cases with brakes affected.

When 2013 Ford Escape fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 20, 2012, latest Sep 14, 2026.

2013 Ford Escape fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter222012 Q32014 Q32016 Q22018 Q12019 Q42021 Q32023 Q22025 Q1
286 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q4 (22).

Fuel System recalls for the 2013 Ford Escape

  1. NHTSA 13V584000Nov 25, 2013Fuel System9,469 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine subject to prior safety recall NHTSA 12V-336. In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The misinstalled fuel line could chafe and eventually leak fuel.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    Remedy: 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 13S12.

  2. NHTSA 12V336000Jul 18, 2012Fuel System9,320 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.

    Risk: If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.

    Remedy: 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 August 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Fuel System complaints by Escape model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010507 (25%)
  2. 2011284 (22%)
  3. 2012160 (27%)
  4. 2013286 (10%)
  5. 2014137 (7%)
  6. 201557 (5%)
  7. 201670 (6%)
  8. 201795 (4%)
  9. 201854 (3%)
  10. 201924 (4%)
  11. 2020194 (12%)
  12. 202173 (21%)
  13. 202284 (36%)
  14. 20237 (7%)
  15. 20245 (7%)
  16. 20252 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Ford Escape?
NHTSA lists 286 fuel system complaints for the 2013 Escape, which is 10% of the 2,749 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Ford Escape fuel system?
Yes. Recall 12V336000, reported 2012-07-18, tells owners to stop driving and have the fuel line inspected due to splitting and fire risk, and recall 13V584000, reported 2013-11-25, covers inspection or replacement of the fuel line on 1.6L-equipped Escapes built October 5, 2011 through July 11, 2012.
Have there been fires linked to the 2013 Escape fuel system?
NHTSA data shows 15 fires and 3 injuries associated with fuel system complaints for the 2013 Escape, with 1 crash also reported.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up on the 2013 Escape?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for fuel system complaints on the 2013 Escape is 75,500 miles.
Does the 2013 Escape have more fuel system complaints than other model years?
The 2013 Escape's 286 fuel system complaints are fewer than the 2010 model's 507, but the 10% share of that year's total complaints is lower than several other years like 2012 (27%) and 2022 (36%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.