2013 Ford Escape Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2013 Ford Escape, 6% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 105,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “low coolant” (19% of reports).
- 175engine and engine cooling complaints
- 105,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low coolant: mentioned in 34 of 175 complaints (19%)
- Engine overheating: mentioned in 15 of 175 complaints (9%)
- Message displayed: mentioned in 14 of 175 complaints (8%)
- Cooling included: mentioned in 13 of 175 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 149 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 175 complaints, 2 a fire.
Ford Escape engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 4 | 15% | 5,000 |
| 2024 Escape | 1 | 1% | 4,500 |
| 2023 Escape | 4 | 4% | 4,200 |
| 2022 Escape | 6 | 3% | 49,100 |
| 2021 Escape | 3 | 1% | 37,350 |
| 2020 Escape | 12 | 1% | 85,000 |
| 2019 Escape | 94 | 16% | 81,000 |
| 2018 Escape | 344 | 19% | 89,300 |
| 2017 Escape | 508 | 19% | 82,038 |
| 2016 Escape | 57 | 5% | 95,500 |
| 2015 Escape | 44 | 4% | 114,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 187 | 9% | 100,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 175 | 6% | 105,000 |
| 2012 Escape | 6 | 1% | 23,186 |
| 2011 Escape | 17 | 1% | 44,500 |
| 2010 Escape | 35 | 2% | 49,012 |
| 2009 Escape | 37 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 38 | 2% | 42,000 |
| 2007 Escape | 6 | 2% | 61,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 21 | 5% | 45,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 90 | 6% | 89,362 |
| 2004 Escape | 18 | 4% | 96,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 47 | 8% | 53,357 |
| 2002 Escape | 294 | 29% | 32,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 282 | 28% | 41,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.
Risk: If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicleÂs hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicleÂs powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as Ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact Ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Risk: As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact noticed an unusual odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle in the winter, the coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the coolant sensor needed to be replaced. The coolant…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 Ford Escapes have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 175 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2013 Ford Escape (6% of the 2,750 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Escape engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 105,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2013 Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “low coolant”, in 34 of 175 complaints, followed by “engine overheating” (15).
Other 2013 Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (1,265)
- Power Train problems (401)
- Electrical System problems (339)
- Steering problems (302)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (247)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (92)
- Structure problems (87)
- Latches/locks/linkages problems (65)
See all 2013 Ford Escape problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Escape years.