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

Engine coolant intrusion into engine resulting in excessive visible smoke/steam on startup and coolant consumption. This issue has been inspected by a Ford dealer and private party mechanics, however could not be accurately diagnosed without engine disassembly. No evidence of external coolant leaks were present. The current consumption rate for coolant is approximately 2 qts per month. Vehicle currently has ~95k miles. The vehicle indicates random misfire codes and low coolant level warnings. Mechanics have advised not to drive as low coolant could lead to overheating and engine failure. Coolant intrusion could result in "hydrolocking" the engine, again resulting in engine failure. Ford Motor Company via dealer has declined to include the vehicle in similar recall or correction efforts.

NHTSA ODI 11748003

Over time the car began to lose coolant. I read codes and troubleshot the systems, replacing a sensor first, no visible leak from collant hoses was discovered. I took the car to bethlehem ford and after a diagnostics process told me there was a crack in the engine on cylinder three that was allowing coolant to leak into the piston and be burnt off during ignition which created misfires and damage over time. I was informed I would need a brand new engine replacement. Which I was quoted 13,788USD for the repair. Not including the $200 I had paid for the diagnostics. The amount for the fix was as much as I had paid for the car to begin with only three years ago at the time of this faulure and had already paid close to $5000 for a turbo replacement as this car in the 2013 Ford Escape SE with the 1.6L ecoboost engine.

NHTSA ODI 11732622

The coolant leaks into the engine. I had the coolant container replaced as well as the coolant bypass valve.Coolant still leaks into the engine and container has to be filled every day. It’s unsafe to drive. It stalls. The mechanic says it’s dangerous and to get another car but I can’t. There is a class action for same issue. Coolant leak has destroyed the engine making it unsafe to drive. I can’t afford another car for my kids and I. Mechanic says his mom had same issue with her ford escape and it’s a fatal engine flaw and u safe to drive. This has been a problem since I purchased the car. I finally could afford to get the new container thinking that was the leak problem but it wasn’t. Then the coolant bypass valve broke too. I’ll put the date the repairs were made but this has been a problem with coolant contaminating the engine forever.

NHTSA ODI 11724405

Begin to loose coolant out of resavior. Then began leaking fluid around flange. Had bought extended warranty through A.U.L. Corp. They refused to cover repair. Mechanic at Evetette Ford said it would be right at 400 to replace flange. He said he had been driven hot. Aul Corp said but [XXX] said he was mistaken that the flange was ok just an O ring. It was in shop from Nov. 17, 2025 until Jan 10, 2026. It was never fixed because [XXX] quit working there and new guy said it would be 1,113. 39 with a total bill for over 4,900. So it was towed back to my home where it sits. The latch on.lift gate has never worked so I wasn't able to change brake lights. I purchased the vehicle in February 2025. I've only have about 300 miles on vehicle. I feel like I've been screwed all the way but the used car dealer who should have known by the Ford Dealership, and by the extended warranty company. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11723580

Vehicle startered to deccelerate and lose engine functionality while I was going 60mph on the freeway. Had to involuntarily stop in traffic. No system warnings were on or lights. After the incident mechanic saw a head gasket failure just as other models and coolant had leaked into cylinder two. Seems to be a recurring problem with these models .

NHTSA ODI 11722728

Engine Coolant Intrusion. During normal operation coolant leaks into the engine cylinders causing power loss and eventual overheating once the coolant system runs out of coolant. This prompts an emergency shutoff of the vehicle into "limp mode"

NHTSA ODI 11720378

I took my car in for a safety recall for the bushing on the transmission. A short time after getting it back my cabin filled with smoke when I used the remote start. I had never had this problem until it came back from the dealer. so I stopped using the remote start! but after that the car's cabin began filling with acrid smoke whenever it idled for more than a minute. It now fills with smoke when sitting at a stop sign or in slow traffic, so i have to open the windows to breathe! On top of that the transmission started slipping in park again! I don't think they actually fixed it. and that they may have caused the smoke problem. there are no warning lights going on. I am [XXX] and on socsec. I need my car to be safe! I have been dealing with this for a while now because I don't trust the dealer now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11720463

This was a recall earlier, twice, and it was supposedly fixed but the fuel vacuum line to the gas tank is leaking and giving off gasoline odors in the passenger area. Also another recall that was supposedly taken care of is an oil leak that is occuring often. The oil was changed only a month ago and already the oil has just about all leaked out. Both of these issues are fire hazards and the fuel leakage can can the operator or passengers to succomb to carbon minoxide. These were told to us by a Ford dealer who put the car on a diagnostic but they are saying that the recall is over and it will cost $1,400. for the fix. I bought this car, in June 2025 ;from a used car dealer. I am still paying on it. I never receive a car history of any kind from this dealer. . I had no idea that there were 18 recalls on this vehicle. That is really a lot. If either of these problems were fixed on a recall, could they re-occur again. On this particular fuel re-call, I read that it had to be done again because the first recall fix was not done well. I do not have $1,400. to fix this. I am an [XXX] senior woman and am buying this car for my daughter. It seems to me that one a recall is made that it is a permanent thing until there is an assurance that it is fixed and won't happen again. It also seems to me that a vehicle that has that many recalls should not be allowed to be sold to the public. Can I hold the dealer who sold it to me accountable for not letting me know about the recalls or not letting me know the history of the vehicle? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11719080

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger seated in the front passenger's seat became aware of smoke inside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the engine cover had cracked and that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. The independent mechanic cleaned up the oil from underneath the engine and became aware that the wires and additional parts underneath the engine were burned. The contact was informed that there had been a fire underneath the engine. The contact was informed that the vehicle could have caught on fire. The contact referenced an unknown recall, but the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11718886

Im having the same issues as the current recall and have been having nonstop issues with my 2013 ford escape that dealerships/mechanics can't seem to figure out or won't figure out, but it says that mine isn't part of that recall, but I believe it should be. Now I have a newborn so these issues worry me even more.

NHTSA ODI 11714377

I was parking vehicle & noticed from center console burning smoke coming from heater vents & middle console. I turned it off right away, waited a while & it stopped, driving at 60mph a back & forth forward & back hesitation or vibration. Shifting back & forth, No check engine light, but I feel that this vehicle has the recalls that are listed for this same year model & it has never being corrected. I need to bring this vehicle to a Ford dealership to get it checked. I'm in the Madison Wisconsin area, please have this matter taken care ove. 2013 Ford escape 2.0L

NHTSA ODI 11712836

This is a known issue with 1.6L engine 2013 Ford Escapes and they have not issued an official recall on all VINs. The coolant tubing is faulty, causing several leaks and engine overheating, also leading to additional computer failures of the temperature gauge.

NHTSA ODI 11712714

My car is the 2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6 L ecoboost and have had same issue as the recalled 2013 ford escape sel 1.6L economist with over heating,thermostat,and cracked head with coolant leaking into head,why is my car not on recall also.I know this from diagnosis that was ran.

NHTSA ODI 11711199

Was opening the moon rooftop And I noticed smoke started coming from the middle of the radio / navigation system, all through vents smoke coming out something was burning I shut the vehicle, and waited about 10 minutes till it went away Don't know why this happened, but I'm curious that the recalls that coming up for this vehicle are very significant, running hesitation & smell of burning, vibration in front of vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11710574

I own a Ford Escape SE with 1.6 L eco boost engine. The vehicle started having loss of power and started smoking under the hood. The car is now not drivable and it’s the same issue people have been having with this engine. The engine made a popping sound with no warning beforehand and stopped in the middle of the highway. No fluids leaking but engine has failed. Engine temp gauge didn’t move but car was overheated. The engine is bad and needs to be replaced Spoke to Endurance warranty and they said the engine has 2 service alerts for same issue and my research corroborates as there is a lawsuit pending over that engine. However Ford continently says there isn’t an issue regarding my VIN but the engine is the original OEM engine that has had issues in the past reported by numerous other owners of the same engine.

NHTSA ODI 11701985

This vehicle is going through coolant constantly. I couod not find a leak. I did find a recall FORD had for a cup plug and the cylinder head that leaks. My vehicle is outside the date range it looks like but looking under cylinder 2 coil pack I found that the cup head is visually leaking. Trying to see if this can be fixed under that recall.

NHTSA ODI 11701935

Coolant intrusion on 2.0L ecoboost engine due to cracked cylinder head. Ford is aware of this issue yet has refused to issue a recall or offer a replacement to those affected as they have done for the 1.6L engines. The engine now needs to be fully replaced out of my own pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11698925

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the contact's uncle was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's aunt called the contact's cell phone and informed the contact of smoke coming from underneath the contact's vehicle. The contact's aunt was trailing behind the contact's vehicle as they were traveling. The contact's uncle drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and turned the vehicle off. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact and all the occupants of the vehicle exited the vehicle. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed a lot of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact then noticed flames coming from underneath the vehicle and underneath the hood. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact stated that the vehicle was condemned as a total loss. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumed in the fire. In addition, the Police and the fire department advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11697480

The car caught on fire from the engine

NHTSA ODI 11697081

Despite never overheating, the engine completely failed due to a block crack caused by a coolant and oil leak of unknown origins. This has occurred in multiple other 2013 Ford Escapes owned by many different individuals. The car completely stopped on a highway, and would no accelerate due to loss of compression within cylinder 3.

NHTSA ODI 11696763

Component: Engine and Engine Cooling: Cooling System (Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet) What happened: My 2013 Ford Escape developed a fast coolant leak from the thermostat housing/water outlet. Coolant drains quickly and the engine overheats within minutes. The engine has overheated twice while driving on the highway, which created a dangerous situation. This matches the overheating and coolant loss problems covered under Ford recalls 17S09 and 18S07, but my VIN is not included. How often: The leak happens continuously while driving. Coolant loss occurs rapidly and overheating follows if coolant isn’t refilled. Injuries/fires/crashes: No. The engine overheated twice on the highway, but I was able to pull over safely each time. Inspected or repaired: Yes. A mechanic diagnosed a coolant leak from the thermostat housing. Ford replaced the water pump and gasket in 2015 for a similar leak. Concern: Recurring safety issue identical to known Ford cooling system recalls. Requesting investigation or recall expansion for Escapes with fast coolant leaks and overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11694874

The contact owns 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 - 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as indented. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced once; however, the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:13V583000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 167,294.

NHTSA ODI 11694081

My engine leaks coolant and there is a recall for my car make and from the same year but my car is not included in the recall and it is a known issue with ford. They should expand the recall to more cars if they know it is an issue and a safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11689189

The engine light came on a few weeks after I purchased this used vehicle from Ford. I got s diagnosis on it the other day at Oreillys they said “Thermostat coolant”, we added the necessary liquids. Got it checked out at a Ford dealership the other day and they say they see no issue with the thermostat cooler, but an issue with the standpipe. I search online and see a recall about this issue in the past.

NHTSA ODI 11683567

I was driving my vehicle. I pulled into a gas station to buy something. When I stopped, smoke was coming out of the engine bay. When I popped the hood, the engine bay was on fire! I put it out with a fire extinguisher. Side Note: I bought this vehicle from a friend. It has not been registered in my name. It will be registered today, 08/15/2025 in Butler County Kansas. Augusta, KS.

NHTSA ODI 11680819