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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)

152 of 2,743 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 4 of 7

Aug 17, 2018EngineFire

VEHICLE STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO PREVIOUSLY SERVICED RECALL THAT WASN'T DONE CORRECTLY . DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CAR STARTED MAKING CRAZY NOISE AND SMOKING BAD . THERE WAS COOLANT IN IT AND IT WAS NOT LEAKING. VEHICLE STARTS ALERTING ' PULL OVER SAFELY CAR OVERHEATING ' DURING ROUTINE DRIVES EVEN WHEN COOLANT IS FULL . THIS TIME IT WAS PRACTICALLY ON FIRE . CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AND FORD WILL NOT HELP US . THEY SAY BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED THEY AREN'T UNABLE TO ASSIST ANY FURTHER . NOW WE ARE OUT OF A VEHICLE AND FORD IS REFUSING ANY RESPONSIBILITY .

NHTSA ODI 11120694

Aug 8, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AS FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. **TR *TR

NHTSA ODI 11118602

Aug 6, 2018AirbagsBody & structureBrakesCrash1 injury

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIIVNG ON A CITY STREET WHEN I WAS T-BONED BY A VEHICLE WHO RAN A STOP LIGHT. AS I BECAME CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND ENDED UP HITTING A WATER METER, AFTER TRYING TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES,BECAUSE THEY BRAKES WOULDNT CATCH ON. .NEITHER CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE NOR THE WATER METER ACTIVATED THE AIR BAGS.

NHTSA ODI 11118117

Jul 26, 2018Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED DROPS OF FLUID EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT PULEDL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (FRONTIER FORD, 3701 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, (408) 241-1800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113960

Jul 23, 2018Transmission & drivetrain1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, IT INADVERTENTLY ROLLED AWAY. THE CONTACT GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE, BUT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE DOWN THE STREET UNTIL IT STOPPED AT AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUISES ON HER STOMACH AND INJURIES TO THE WRIST, HUMERUS, AND GREAT TOE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COUNTY FORD, 105 AUTO PARK DRIVE, GRAHAM, NC 27253, 336-226-6301), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBERS: [XXX] AND [XXX]. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11113070

Jul 11, 2018EngineFire

I CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN MY SUBDIVISION, AND MY CAR STALLED OUT. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY SO I TRIED TO RESTART, BUT IT FAILED. I SMELLED GAS SO I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND STARTED SEEING SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE SMOKE GOT WORSE QUICKLY AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN 2 MINUTES. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER, FOR ROUGHLY FIVE MINUTES, AND IT WAS EVENTUALLY TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI 11110836

Jun 11, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A FUEL STATION WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE OR A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V584000 (ENGINE) PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-15003539. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11101142

Mar 30, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO (J C LEWIS FORD IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACKED HEAD BETWEEN CYLINDERS TWO AND THREE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11082194

Feb 15, 2018Fuel systemFire

CAR IGNITED GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I 85 JEFFERSON GA

NHTSA ODI 11073004

Jan 30, 2018Fire

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. SMOKE STARTED FILLING THE CAR SO SHE AND OUR DAUGHTER EVACUATED THE CAR. THIS CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A DOOR LATCH BUT NEVER FOR AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11065915

Jan 15, 2018Seat beltsCrash2 injuries

'UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED': WE BOUGHT A NEW 2013 FORD ESCAPE. IT HAD MANY PROBLEMS, INCLUDING MANY SAFETY RECALLS. I REQUEST FORD BUY THE CAR BACK MULTIPLE TIMES (THEY REFUSED). OUR DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED ON 12-25-2017 AT 09:55 AM, WHEN MY WIFE'S CAR WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A CAR GOING 50 MPH. BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED. MY WIFE WAS IN THE DRIVERS SEAWEARING HER SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT & WAS THROWN FORWARD AND HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO ENGAGE. SHE GOT A CONCUSSION INJURY AND HAD TO GO TO THE ER, ALSO A BAD WHIPLASH AND OTHER INJURIES, INCLUDING SEATBELT RASH ON LEFT COLLARBONE. SEAT BELT FAILED OR HER HEAD WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED. WE AREN'T FIRST FORD OWNERS TO BE INJURED BY SEAT BELT PROBLEMS. I FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS ON THE NHTSA SITE OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURIES IN 2013 & 2014 FORD ESCAPES DUE TO SEAT BELT FAILURES. (NOTE: THIS ISSUE MAY BE SIMILAR TO EXISTING NHTSA RECALL 16V875, FOR THE FORD FUSION, BUT NOT THE ESCAPE.) FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED MULTIPLE TIMES DRIVERS & PASSENGERS ARE BEING INJURED BY THE FAILURE OF DRIVER & PASSENGER SEAT BELTS, YET HAS TAKEN NO ACTION, NOR HAS NHTSA. PLEASE REVIEW THE SEAT BELT INJURIES IN 2013-2018 FORD ESCAPES. *** NOTE: I FOUND 12 NHTSA REPORTS OF SEAT BELT FAILURES IN J2013-2014 ESCAPES, INCLUDING 4 INJURIES. THE ESCAPE DESIGN CHANGED IN 2013. A. NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10562168 (INJURIES DUE TO SB FAILURE, INCLUDING BROKEN BONES, INCORRECTLY LOGGED AS NO INJURIES, CUSTOMER CALLED FMC) INCIDENT DATE JANUARY 28, 2014 B. NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10561343 (TWO INJURIES, BRAKES FAILED, SEAT & SEAT BELTS FAILED) INCIDENT DATE JANUARY 9, 2014 C. NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10618315, (2 INJURIES), INCIDENT DATE AUGUST 1, 2014 D. OTHER SEAT BELT FAILURE REPORTS (NO INJURIES): 11053916,11053318,10947832, 10811504, 10555439, 11034362, 10763929, 10618315, 11048052

NHTSA ODI 11062827

Dec 29, 2017Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

PARK TO REVERSE: VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SELF ENGAGED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. MECHANICAL DEFECT, AS A RESULT, THE SHIFT CONTROL LEVER COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT WARNING. ON WED. 12/20/17 AT 3:10 P.M. ' I WAS LEAVING WORK I ENTERED MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE & STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. NOTICED MY FRONT AND BACK WINDOWS WERE COVERED WITH SNOW. ENGAGED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON FRONT WINDOW, & REALIZED THAT THE SNOW WAS ACTUALLY FROZEN ICE THAT NEEDED TO BE SCRAPED. VEHICLE WAS IN PARK POSITION, LET UP ON THE BRAKE AND THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. SCRAPER IN HAND, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO SCRAPE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK POSITION/MOTIONLESS. THE VEHICLE WAS MOTIONLESS FROM THE TIME I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO THE TIME I MOVED TO SIDE OF CAR ON DRIVER SIDE, TO SCRAPE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH SCRAPER. I STARTED TO SCRAPE MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. AFTER 3-4 SCRAPES ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTING TO MOVE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHICH WAS AWAY FROM WHERE I WAS STANDING. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR & GET INTO VEHICLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE, HOWEVER, THE DOOR MOMENTUM KNOCKED ME TO THE GROUND & I WAS DRAGGED BY THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION. I WAS LOOKING AT THE FRONT WHEEL AS I WAS BEING DRAGGED UNTIL THE CAR TURNED ENOUGH TO RELEASE ME FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN ITS BACK BUMPER HIT THE VEHICLE FRONT BUMPER BEHIND IT. THE WAS IDLING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MOTIONLESS WHEN I GOT TO IT, IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DRIVING IN REVERSE BUT WAS STATIONARY IDLING AS IF IT WAS IN PARK POSITION AGAIN. FORD CASE # CAS-1377-1943, SIMILIAR TO RECALL # 15S28 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) 2001-2009

NHTSA ODI 11057265

Dec 13, 2017Fuel systemFire

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE NOVEMBER 12TH 2017. ONE DAY AFTER YORK FORD REPAIRED CAR THAT I PICKED UP ON NOVEMBER 11TH 2017.YORK FORD SAID IT WAS ON WARRANTY ,NEVER MENTIONED A RECALL, CAR KEPT STALLING, YORK HAD IT TWICE FOR REPAIRS, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VERY NEXT DAY. LATER FOUND OUT FORD HAD 139,000 RECALLS ON 2013 ESCAPES FOR FUEL LINES AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRES. I DO HAVE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO BECAUSE AFTER I CALLED 911 I HAD MY PHONE OUT. MASS STATE POLICE AND REVERE FIRE DEPT. RESPONDED MAPFRE INSURANCE CO. DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS.. DONNA FROM YORK FORD TOLD ME TO FILL THE TANK UP BECAUSE THEY PUT A CLEANER IN THE FUEL.??? PLEASE EMAIL ME SO I CAN SEND YOU THE PHOTOS AND PROVIDE ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ODI 11054479

Dec 1, 2017EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PACKEY WEBB FORD (1815 W OGDEN AVENUE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, (866) 496-6602) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, WHICH CAUSED A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK. THE COOLANT LEAK CAUSED IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,014.

NHTSA ODI 11051773

Nov 14, 2017AirbagsCrashFire1 injury

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY 26, 2015 AND THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE MANY MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT> EVERY TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO "FIX" YET AT THE TIME. MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE WAS TOTALED IN THE ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING AT A RATE OF ABOUT 20/25 MPH WESTBOUND ON THE 2600 BLOCK ON ELM STREET ON SUNDAY 07/26/15 AT ABOUT 1:30 PM CST. I WAS ON THE LEFT LANE WHEN A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN FROM HIS LANE IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARK AND T-BONED MY CAR INSTEAD. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE SIDE IMPACT BAG ON THE DRIVERS SEE THAT WAS ON THE RECALL. MY HEAD STRUCK THE DOOR FRAME AND I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, MULTIPLE SOFT TISSUE INJURIES AND A TEMPORAL MANDIBULAR DISORDER

NHTSA ODI 11046059

Oct 19, 2017Electrical systemBody & structureFuel systemFire

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I49, SHREVEPORT, LA. AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HIGH TEMPATURE WARNING CAME ON FOLLOWED BY ENGINE FAILURE WARNING, AS I WAS MAKING MY WAY TO THE ROADSIDE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WHEN THE VEHICAL CAME TO A STOP, I POPPED THE HOOD, AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLUE SMOKE, FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE, I DID NOT OPEN HOOD, 30 SECONDS LATTER FLAMES WERE SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, I CALLED 911 AS THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE FRONT OF THE CAR

NHTSA ODI 11034510

Oct 16, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR ENTERED THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED SMOKE UNDER THE VEHICLE AND OIL LEAKING PROFUSELY FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER (CROWN FORD, 420 MERRICK RD, LYNBROOK, NY, 11563, 516-599-0600) DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OIL HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED TWO WEEKS PRIOR AT CHATHAM FORD (781 MAIN ST, CHATHAM, MA, 02633, 508-945-0500). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11033539

Aug 22, 2017EngineFuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW COOLANT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE COOLANT WAS REFILLED. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THICK, BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. TWO DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL LEAKS WERE A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V551000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 12V336000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11018997

Jun 21, 2017EngineFire

ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS ONLY LESS THAN 5 MILES FROM HOME, NO WARNING SIGNS NO COMPUTER INDICATING PROBLEMS, NO OIL LEAKS NO COOLANT PROBLEMS. HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING 40MPH, HAPPENED AROUND 615AM. SMOKE -WAS POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PULLED INTO A 7-11 GAS STATION AND A CONCERNED CITIZEN CAME TO HELP, HE OPENED THE HOOD AND REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER AND I SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE BY THE FIREWALL, HE USED AN EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND INSURANCE CALLED, IT WAS SENT TO A GARAGE PER INSURANCE BUT IT WAS THEN SENT ONTO A FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY ARE NOW LOOKING TO SEE IF IT IS CAUSED BY A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11000442

Jun 13, 2017Fuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND SAW GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVER ASSISTED IN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SPROUSE AUTO, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AFTER 15 DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE, BUT WAS INFORMED ON 6/13/16 THAT THEY WERE INVOLVED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V584000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 10994607

Apr 25, 2017EngineFire

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 70 INTO KANSAS CITY WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE SMOKING AND PULLED OVER ONTO AN OFF RAMP. I POPPED THE HOOD AND BEFORE I COULD COMPLETELY OPEN IT, MORE SMOKE CAME BILLOWING OUT. I QUICKLY GRABBED MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 10980498

Feb 28, 2017Body & structureEngineFuel systemFire

DRIVING MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE SEL WITH ONLY 52000 MILES ON IT HOME FROM SHOPPING IN RENO, NEVADA. I WAS IN WASHOE VALLEY, NV WHEN I THOUGH THE HIGH WINDS WERE KEEPING MY CAR FROM SPEEDING UP, WHEN I COULD NOT ACCELERATE I PULLED TO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN ONTO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND LOOK AT MY DASH TO SEE IF I WAS OVERHEATING OR ANY OTHER ISSUES WERE APPARENT. MY DASH SHOWED NOTHING WRONG AT ALL. NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS OF ANY KIND. THE GAGES WERE ALL RUNNING NORMAL. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO A LARGE VERY BLACK BILLOW OF SMOKE CAME UP BACK PART OF THE ENGINE NEAREST TO HE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THEN SECOND LATER LARGER FIRE FLAMES CAME RIGHT BEHIND IT THAT WENT OVER THE TOP OF MY CAR. MY CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES IN JUST MOMENTS. I HAD TO JUMP FROM THE BURNING CAR TO SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI 10957573

Feb 15, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system1 injury

VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE STOPPED DRIVING FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE ENGINE DID NOT REV. THE DASH LIGHT INDICATING THE TRANSMISSION DISAPPEARED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JUMPED INTO GEAR SO HARD I SUFFERED WHIPLASH. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET CLEAR OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I LITERALLY THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED AT ONE POINT AS THE CAR JOLTED SO HARD. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE ROADWAY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE SERVICE NOW LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS CONSISTANT WITH THE PCM WIRING HARNESS RECALL DONE ON OTHER 2013 ESCAPES BUT WAS NOT COVERED FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE JOLTS TO THE VEHICLE KICKING IN GEAR DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME, IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO STRIKE OR BE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY STATE MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL AND THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP ME.

NHTSA ODI 10954793

Jan 25, 20171 injury

THE DOORS ON THIS CAR DO NOT STAY OPEN & FREQUENTLY CLOSE ON YOU WHEN YOUR ENTERING OR EXITING THE CAR (EVEN ON LEVEL GROUND). AFTER OPENING THE DOOR TO GET IN, IT CLOSED BACK ON MY HIP BONE CAUSING AN INJURY. NHTSA NEEDS TO MAKE FORD REPLACE DOOR HINGES ON THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10947674

Nov 17, 2016SuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND SEVERAL STREET SIGNS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,300.

NHTSA ODI 10926635

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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 →