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What 2,743 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,743)Crash / fire / injury (152)Engine (1,264)Transmission & drivetrain (400)Electrical system (340)Steering (302)Fuel system (284)Engine & cooling (174)Speed control (92)Body & structure (87)Brakes (72)Latches & locks (64)

87 of 2,743 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters · page 3 of 4

Dec 10, 2016Body & structure

RECALL AND DEALER HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION OR NOTIFIED US.

NHTSA ODI 10934384

Oct 28, 2016Body & structureLatches & locks

A DOOR LATCH WITH A FRACTURED PAWL SPRING TAB TYPICALLY RESULTS IN A "DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE" CONDITION. A DOOR THAT OPENS WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY. DIFFICULTY SHUTTING DRIVERS DOOR. RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919824

Oct 21, 2016Body & structure

RECALL NOTICE 16S30 I CONTACTED MIRACLE FORD IN GALLATIN, TN PHONE: (615) 452-5267. THE DEALER SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART FOR THE RECALL UNTIL THE 2ND QUARTER OF 2017. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE 2ND QUARTER OF 2017 IS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THEIR BUSINESS CALENDAR. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY 1 (800) 392-3673 AND I TALKED WITH A PERSON. AT THE END OF THE CALL ON OCT 21ST AROUND 5:15PM CST, FORD SENT ME BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER VOICE MESSAGE WAS FULL. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT SINCE NEITHER PARTIES HAVE THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES IN PLACE TO FIX MY RECALL. THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS OPENED 4-5 TIMES AS I TAKE A TURN FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 15-25 MPH. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. MY NAME IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10917970

Oct 12, 2016Electrical systemBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS APPEARED TO BE PUSHED OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DOOR HATCH FRACTURED AND DETACHED AND THE BATTERY DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, THE HATCH HANDLE NEEDED TO BE SOLDERED BACK ON, AND WEATHER STRIPPING NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO THE DOORS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V495000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V597000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS), AND 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10915483

Oct 12, 2016Body & structureLatches & locksCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE'S WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. THE DETAILS OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,093. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10915540

Aug 21, 2016Body & structure

ONE MONTH AGO, JULY 2016 THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY OPENED AND WOULD NOT LATCH. WE TRIED EVERYTHING; WE COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE DURING TURNS THE DOOR WOULD SWING OPEN AND THE ALARM WOULD NOT STOP DINGING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM/RECALL WITH THIS YEAR 2013 ESCAPES. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CALLED FORD, SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS AGAIN TOLD, MY CAR NOT PART OF RECALL. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS! THEY SAID IF RECALL IS EXPANDED I CAN GET A REFUND FOR MY REPAIR. ONE MONTH AND 7 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. MY DOG NEARLY FLEW OUT OF THE CAR. I AM FURIOUS THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS NOT A MINOR ISSUE. SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS GOING TO FLY OUT OF A CAR. WHEN TURNING LEFT, THE DOOR JUST FLIES OPEN. THERE IS ALSO NO WAY TO LOCK CAR. THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. I WILL AGAIN NEVER PURCHASE A FORD.

NHTSA ODI 10897465

Aug 13, 2016Body & structure

THE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH SHUT.

NHTSA ODI 10895525

Jul 25, 2016Body & structure

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE "DOOR AJAR" ALERT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY SCREEN. AFTER PULLING OVER TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR I NOTICED IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. AFTER EACH ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE DOOR IT WOULD NOT LATCH. IT WOULD JUST BOUNCE BACK OPEN. THE LATCHING MECHANISM WOULD NOT FUNCTION, SO I HAD TO TIE THE DOOR SHUT WITH A ROPE IN ORDER FOR IT TO NOT SWING OPEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. FAULTY DOOR LATCH SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE HERE.

NHTSA ODI 10888106

Jul 13, 2016Body & structure

WHILE IN MOTION THE PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPEN WHILE TURNING. THE LATCH INSIDE THE DOOR BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS OF OTHER FORD VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT ESCAPES HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING THE CORNER. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY HIGHWAY TURNING ONTO ANOTHER CITY HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10884473

Jun 2, 2016Body & structure

DRIVER DOOR SWUNG OPEN AS I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN. DOOR WON'T LATCH SHUT.

NHTSA ODI 10872116

Dec 26, 2015Body & structure

THE DOOR LATCH ON THE REAR DOOR FAILED TO LATCH. THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH AND OPENED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THIS IS THE SAME DOOR LATCH THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER FORD MODELS. WHY IS THIS RECALLED PART ON OTHER MODELS NOT RECALLED IN THE FORD ESCAPE. IT IS THE SAME PART.

NHTSA ODI 10816306

Oct 27, 2015Body & structure

THE LIFTGATE IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE POWERED LIFT GATE RAISES UP AFTER THE BUTTON IS PUSHED, OPENS FULL, STOPS FULLY OPENED FOR A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE SLAMMING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY OPEN ON ITS OWN, NO MATTER HOW YOU OPEN IT. WARNING: COULD CAUSE BODILY INJURY, BE AWARE OF THE LIFTGATE AT ALL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 10786328

Oct 4, 2015Body & structure

THE PASSENGER DOOR OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. RECALL 14S03 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY MODEL.

NHTSA ODI 10779550

Jul 31, 2015Body & structure1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE SHUTTING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT'S RIGHT RING FINGER WAS CAUGHT BY THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS RUSHED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED TO CORRECTLY AMPUTATE THE TOP OF THE RIGHT RING FINGER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 10745356

May 11, 2015Body & structure

TWICE THE PASSENGER INTERIOR DOOR FRAMES HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE DOOR AND BECAME CAUGHT ON ITEMS INSIDE THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE SEAT ETC. THIS CAUSES THE DOOR TO BECOME STUCK AND UNABLE TO OPEN. BOTH TIMES IT TOOK WE WELL OVER 30 MINUTES TO DISLODGE THE FRAME AND REATTACH TO THE FRAME TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. BOTH TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN JUST PARKED AND I WAS TRYING TO RETRIEVE MY INFANT DAUGHTER FROM THE BACK SEAT. I FEAR THAT IF I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY RETRIEVE MY DAUGHTER FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THIS OCCURS WITH NO IMPACT, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN CASE OF AN IMPACT? WOULD ALL 4 DOORS BECOME LODGED?

NHTSA ODI 10715658

Apr 25, 2015Body & structure

DRIVERS DOOR APPEARED BE CLOSED BUT TAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN THE DOOR SWUNG OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712872

Mar 1, 2015Visibility & wipersBody & structureEquipment Adaptive/mobility

ON DECEMBER 20, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 PM WE WERE DRIVING ON I15 - INTO SALT LAKE CITY - 19 MILES SOUTH OF I-80. PASSENGER MOON ROOF SHATTERED WITH A LOUD BANG! SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. IT RAISED UP THE GLASS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 41 DEGREES OUTSIDE & 71 DEGREES INSIDE CARE. MY HUSBAND & I WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE CAR. WE WERE IN 5-6 LANES OF TRAFFIC & DID NOT STOP UNTIL WE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. RAIN WAS COMING SO WE TOOK PICTURES WITH OUR CAMERA & I PHONE & TAPED UP THE ROOF OVER THE CRACKS & COVERED IT WITH A TARP. WE RETURNED TO BOISE AREA THE FOLLOWING DAY. WE PARKED IT IN OUR GARAGE UNTIL WE COULD DELIVER THE CAR TO LITHIA FORD IN BOISE ON 12/22/14. (WE PURCHASED IT FROM LITHIA FORD) THE SERVICE TECH SAID HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT FORD & GET BACK WITH US. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM & SAW IN THE PAST THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. FORD MADE THE DECISION, IT WAS SOMETHING WE DID & WE THEREFORE HAD TO TURN IT INTO OUR INSURANCE & WE HAD TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. WE BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE COVERED THIS DAMAGE, NOT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10691347

Oct 23, 2014Body & structure

THE FORD ESCAPE 2010 WAS PARKED, THE TAILGATE WAS OPENED TO PUT IN A BABY CARRIAGE, THE TAILGATE WAS PULLED DOWN TO CLOSE AS USUAL, AND THE GLASS EXPLODED AND SHATTERED, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND NO PREVIOUS INCIDENT WITH THE GLASS OR THE TAILGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10649459

Oct 14, 2014Body & structure1 injury

I OWN A FORD ESCAPE SE 2013, THIS LAST WEEKEND (10/13/2014) MY WIFE WAS GETTING OFF THE CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE DOOR WAS PUSHED OUT BY THE WIND, HER FINGER WAS INJURED WITH A SMALL EDGE CORNER RIGHT AT THE FAR END OF THE PASSENGER DOOR, A LITTLE METAL EXPOSED. I GOT PICTURES OF THE THING AND THE FINGER. SO BE REALLY CAREFUL SPECIALLY IF YOUR KIDS ARE AT THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE SHARP POINT ON THE DOOR; THEY CAN GET INJURED ON THE FACE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10644594

Sep 11, 2014Body & structure

CPSC: I1490148A. 2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAR HAS A FAILURE OF THE FORWARD SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY THAT CARRIES THE WHEEL JOINTS AND STEERING ARMS. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS INTENDED TO INSTALL A CROSS-BRACE ON THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT SO THAT IF THE SUBFRAME FAILED, THERE WOULD BE LESS OF A TENDENCY FOR MAJOR STEERING FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BRACE INSTALLED IN JUNE 2014. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2014, THE SUB FRAME FAILED WHILE HE WAS TURNING A CORNER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5-10 MPH. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 14V165000.

NHTSA ODI 10632850

Aug 8, 2014AirbagsBody & structureSeatsEngine

I BUY FORD ESCAPE 2013,SE ECOBOOST 1,6 IN FEBRUARY 2013.PAY $ 29,00,BRAND NEW.AFTER 10 MONTHS SEND ME RECALL NOTICE(13V583,14V-239,14V-237,14V164000) AFTER RECALL VALUE FOR MY CAR DROP DOWN 50%.WHO REFUND MY .AFTER FIX MY CAR ,MY CAR ,NO NOW CAR,THIS IS FIXED CAR.WHO AGREE FOR SELL WITH NO GOOD CONDITION CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10620850

Jul 18, 2014Body & structureSpeed controlBrakes

FOOT SLIPS OFF BRAKE PEDAL..ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TO CLOSE TOGETHER.BRAKE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE WIDER TO ACCOMMODATE LARGER SHOE SIZES,MINE ARE SIZE 13.. IN RAINY CONDITIONS FOOT SLIDES OFF BRAKE PEDAL FREQUENTLY. BAD DESIGN FROM FORD...HOPE I DON`T HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS CONDITION IS CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10614544

Jul 18, 2014SteeringFuel systemBody & structureLatches & locksBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE TIRE WIRING FOR THE MAP RETURN SIGNAL AND THE TCBP RETURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,383. UPDATED 09/30/14*LJ UPDATED 02/27/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10614547

May 14, 2014Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE HEAT SHIELD TORE FROM THE PIPING DUE TO SNOWY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE HEAT SHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,134. UPDATED 07/16/14 MA

NHTSA ODI 10588364

Apr 27, 2014Body & structureEngineFire

ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FORD RECALL NOTICE, BURNING VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. FORD DID NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF LOSS. AS OF THIS DATE (APRIL 26) FORD HAS NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FIRE LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10585124

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Working with the data? Download all 2,743 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Ford Escape Gas verdict →