There are 50 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2013 Ford Escapein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that immediately after driving into a parking space and stopping, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward over a median curb before crashing into another parked vehicle. During the incident, no injuries were reported and no police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the home and later towed to the collision center for body repairs to be performed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 33,437.
- Valve cover needs to be replaced - Spark plugs needs to be replaced - Power reduced message pops up probably from spark plugs - Says transmission fault probably from valve cover leaking transmission fluid - Left rear speed sensor - Turbo charger/super charger underboost - invalid data received from steering angle sensor module message popped up
Well I went to start my car after getting gas and it would not start after a few mins it started , but it was trying to lunge forward even though it was in park , after I finally got it going went home and the whole time I smelled gas in my car ? Then I pulled in my driveway and the check engine light was on , had my brother in law do a digital scan on my car and it had PO456 evaporated emissions leak, I don't understand why , I'm scared to drive it now because I don't want to have the cab fill up with gas smell in my car and it's bad for me and my kids
When coming to a stop the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated making it very difficult to stop. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and turn off the engine. When I restarted the vehicle, the problem no longer existed and has not happened since but this problem could easily cause an accident, resulting in one or more injuries. Have not had the vehicle inspected and likely won't, unless it happens again.
We have had to replace vacuum pump 4xs ,had multiple engine repairs done, turbo replaced ,jumped time 3xs, replace ABS sensor 2xs, wheel bearings 2xs, CV axels 2xs, since day 1 has been blowing lights in turn signals and brake lights, wiring issue, have replaced control arms,tie rods,tie rod ends, and so much more, have had transmissions since day one, needs evap system repaired again, transmission replaced a second time, having power reductions, and this vechiile has costed us over 12,000, Have been informed of 2 recalls Time frame 12/2015 to current date.
While merging onto the highway, I got into the right lane. While in motion my car stalled and went from 70 mph to 40 mph almost instantly. There have been many other times of engine stalling that has made me fear to drive this vehicle with my child. I noticed that " engine stalling" and the engine in general have been a common issue specific year make and model while researching this vehicles history. There have also been many major repairs and more needed repairs that will cost more than the vehicles worth. The turbo was recently repaired , water bypass valve , valve cover, spark plugs. With more repairs to be made due to fluids still leaking , and a certified mechanic noting that the catalytic converter will need to be replaced. The repairs done and the repairs needed will greatly cost more than the vehicles worth. I'm asking that you guys take into consideration that im still paying on this vehicle and a single mom who cannot keep putting repairs into a vehicle that i desperaetly need for transportation.
While driving my vehicle is slowing down losing power it doesn't want to stay started while at a light Will hesitate to stay started and will just cut off. And hesitate to restart this is not the first time that this has happened ethier.
CAR CUTS OFF WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A WARM START (CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN WITH NO PROBLEMS, SITS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND THEN IS RESTARTED). CAR STARTS EASILY, IS DRIVEN OUT OF A PARKING LOT, BRAKES ARE APPLIED BEFORE PROCEEDING TURNING ON MAIN ROAD, CAR ENGINE CUTS OFF. THIS IS THE SCENARIO EACH TIME. DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME CAR IS DRIVEN BUT IT IS A CONSTANT SAFETY ISSUE. ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE SURE NO TRAFFIC IS COMING WITHER WAY BECAUSE CAR HAS TO BE PLACED IN PARK TO RESTART. CAR SHOWS NO CODES WHEN PLACED ON COMPUTER. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS RECALL OR PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT SO IMPOSSIBLE TO DEMONSTRATE TO DEALER. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE BUT NO SOLUTION AVAILABLE, JUST MANY SUGGESTIONS. SO RESOLUTION IS UNKNOWN.
I JUST CAME OUT OF A STATE INSPECTION A FEW MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. NOW, IF I HAD ONE FORD I WOULD NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, BUT I HAVE MORE THAN ONE AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED. NOW, AT TIMES WHERE THERE'S A RECALL, BUT WHEN THEY HAVE OTHER ITEMS THAT GET FIXED WITHOUT A RECALL, WE NEVER HEAR ABOUT THAT. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON THIS CAR, BUT MY FORD FOCUS, AND IT HAPPENS AFTER A CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE LATELY DURING THE VIRUS WORST FOR SOME REASON. THIS IS A DANGER AND COULD KILL SOMEONE ON A FREEWAY. AS WHEN THE CAR STOPPED ON A RECALL BEFORE. FROM THE DOORS OPENING ON THE FREEWAY TO THIS MESS. FORD NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AT A HIGHER LEVEL. I DO KNOW MY ANTIFREEZE HAS BEEN WATER DOWN AS I FOUND OUT TODAY, UCZ THEIR ORANGE FLUID HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR OVER A YEAR I WAS TOLD.
MY SUV HAS SUDDENLY LOSS ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE, STOP SIGN AND OUT OF A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. IT WILL SPUTTER LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING GAS AND TWO TIMES HAS COMPLETELY CUT OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. I HAVE SMASHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO NO AVAIL NOTHING HAPPENED. THE SUV DIDN'T SPEED UP NOR START TO EVEN MOVE FAST. IT WOULD SLOWLY JERK ONTO THE ROAD, AND AS I SAID TWICE HAS CUT OFF ANOTHER TIME IT DID FINALLY GET GAS AND GO. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NO CODES SHOWED UP ON THE MACHINE THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SUV. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT, BESIDES ME BEING NERVOUS TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT GETTING HIT BECAUSE THE SUV WON'T ACCELERATE DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS ALSO CUT OFF WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY IDLE. IT DOES START TO SHIMMER/SHAKE LIKE IT'S NOT IDLED HIGH ENOUGH AND THEN IT JUST CUTS OFF.
MY SISTER HAS BEEN USING MY VEHICLE TO TAKE ME TO MY APPOINTMENTS HERE ARE HER WORDS DESCRIBING HER EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE SE ECOBOOST: 'THIS SUV HAS ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE. THERE ARE MAJOR DELAYS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED (SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR) WITH VERY HIGH RPM'S WHILE IN MOTION HESITATION IS SPECIFICALLY TRUE WHEN TRAVELING UPHILL WILL STAY SAME SPEED UNTIL YOU'RE NO LONGER ON AN INCLINE & ACCELERATION WILL INCREASE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS SLOWLY BEING RELEASED THEN NEEDS TO BE PUSHED DOWN NORMAL FORCE TO KEEP AT THE SPEED CONSISTENTLY. WAS ON HIGHWAY DOING 65 SLOWED DOWN I TAKE EXIT HAD TO MERGE ONTO ANOTHER MAJOR HIGHWAY & HAD GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE DOING 45 GOT TO 50 & IT NEARLY GOT ME KILLED WHEN A 18 WHEELER CAME UP BEHIND ME I'M ASSUMING THEY EXPECTED MY VEHICLE TO CCELERATE BUT DESPITE MY DON'T BEING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THERE GAS PEDAL IT TOOK TOO LONG TO REACH 65 MPH AT 50 MPH RPM'S REVVED HIGH AT 5 RPM. THIS IS JUST ONE SITUATION I'VE ENCOUNTER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALSO HAVE HAD ISSUES KEEPING COOLANT IN VEHICLE HAVE TO ADD MORE EVERY FEW MONTHS, AC WORKS AS IT CHOOSES & JUST HAD AN ISSUE WITH STALLING WHILE IN IDLE WAITING IN TRAFFIC BUT THAT'S A RANDOM UNEXPECTED EVENT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY SOMETIMES I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S GOING TO START AGAIN AND AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS IT STARTS AND I WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM. WITH THAT FOR DAYS MAYBE WEEKS UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN.'
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH SIGNIFICANT HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, COOLANT NEEDING REPLENISHMENT ON A REGULAR (EVERY 3-4 MONTHS) BASIS, VEHICLE STALLING AND SHUTTING DOWN SPORADICALLY, VEHICLE OVERHEATING, DOORS RANDOMLY POPPING OPEN AND NEEDING TO BE HELD SHUT BY MY CHILDREN UNTIL I CAN SAFELY PULL OVER. MOST RECENTLY AND JUST THIS MORNING ON 6/18/20, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE DASHBOARD INDICATED THAT THERE ARE NOW TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I USED MY AAA MEMBERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO COLONIAL FORD IN PLYMOUTH, MA AFTER STANDING WITHIN FEET OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC WHILE WAITING. THE CAR POTENTIALLY LETHALLY JUST STOPPED. IT IS NOW BEING "DIAGNOSED" BY COLONIAL FORD. MUCH PREVIOUSLY, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO JANNELL FORD IN HANOVER, MA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THESE ISSUES WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS STILL REASONABLY LOW. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THAT BRANCH LIED TO ME. HE INFORMED ME THERE WERE NEVER RECALLS PERTAINING TO MY VEHICLE EVER. IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THERE WERE IN FACT RECALLS FOR THE EXACT ISSUES DESCRIBED ABOVE. ISSUES THAT WERE NEVER PROPERLY REPAIRED WHEN THE FORMER OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SULLIVAN TIRE YESTERDAY ON 6/17/20 WHEN THE A/C STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. THEY INFORMED ME THEY COULD NOT RECHARGE THE A/C BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED AN ENGINE CODE OF P2637 WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTED FROM THEM. THIS CODE SPECIFICALLY RELATES TO RECALL 13S12 (COOLANT BYPASS VALVES). IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT I POINTED THIS OUT TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE EVEN THOUGH A TOTAL CUT AND DRY ISSUE RELATING SPECIFICALLY TO THE YEAR, MAKE, MODEL OF MY VEHICLE. THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES OF REPAIRS. FORD HAS BASICALLY SAID IN SO MANY WORDS "WE KNOW THIS IS AN UNSAFE DEATH TRAP, BUT IT'S TOO LATE AND YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN OUT OF LUCK!" *TR
I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THE RPMS GO WAY DOWN AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESS THE GAS, I CAN NOT GET CAR TO GO. I'VE HAD IT TO THE GARAGE SEVERAL TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED AIR COOLANT PARTS, AIR FILTER, AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. CAR CONTINUES TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. FORD DEALERSHIP I TALKED WITH SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON SUCH A THING. THEY DID OFFER TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT WHY? NOTHING CAME UP ON DIAGNOSTICS TEST WITH OTHER GARAGE. FORD COMPANY- THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A SEMI AS THE CAR DID THIS WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MAYBE THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKING, THIS LIMP MODE, AND OTHERS HAVING THEIR CARS STALL COMPLETELY IS ALL ONE PROBLEM?? I'M HOPING YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM! AT LEAST TELL US HOW TO FIX IT BEFORE WE NEED A NEW ENGINE, WHICH IT SOUND LIKE THAT IS WHAT OTHERS HAVE HAD TO DO.
THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND GOES AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT MOVE THE CAR FORWARD OR FASTER. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING. THERE WAS A RECALL: 18S20 BUT WHEN I INQUIRED WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-436-7332 THEY STATED THE VIN TO MY CAR WAS NOT ON RECALL. REFERRED ME TO NHTSA OR A FORD DEALER DIRECTLY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IF THE VEHICLE IS THE YEAR AND MODEL WHY MY CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS WOULD RAPIDLY INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR JUST LOST POWER. WE HAD JUST HIT THE TAIL END OF RUSH HOUR JUST SOUTH OF PORTLAND, OR (HEADING SOUTH TO A FUNERAL) SO TRAFFIC WAS FLOWING PRETTY GOOD BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65-70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STOP ACCELERATING AND STARTED COASTING. MY TACHOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE RED SINCE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE GAS. I IMMEDIATELY HIT MY HAZARDS AND MERGED TO THE NEXT OFF RAMP. I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON SAYING THAT I NEEDED TO CHECK MY FLUIDS BUT WE FOUND A WAY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH WAS FINE, LET THE CAR REST THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. CAR WAS FINE AFTER THAT BUT WE STILL TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK HOME TO WASHINGTON. DID NOT HAVE AN ISSUE THE WHOLE RIDE BACK HOME. SPORADICALLY MY CAR WILL HAVE ISSUES BUT CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE REASON FOR IT.
WHILE IN MOTION, THE RPM ARE REDUCED, THE CAR SLOWS DOWN, TURNS OFF AND A "SYSTEM CHECK, SERVICE NOW" NOTICE APPEARS IN DASH BOARD. THERE IS A RECALL FOR SAME ESCAPE BUT 2.5, WHILE THIS ONE IS 1.3. RIGHT NOW IT IS AT FORD DEALER FOR ANOTHER EVALUATION.
MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE HAS DEMONSTRATED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL INJECTOR (SPECIFICALLY THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE SOLENOID) THAT WAS PART OF LAST FALL'S FOCUS RECALL. I HAD A PROBLEM LAST FALL WITH MY CAR WHINING, ROCKING WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, SMELLING LIKE BURNED FUEL, AND EVENTUALLY STALLING OUT ENTIRELY. LAST YEAR THE CAR STALLED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES INITIALLY WHILE STATIONARY, AND EVENTUALLY WHILE IN MOTION. EXPERIENCE WAS DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE AS IT WAS SPORADIC AND NOT CONSISTENT. WE REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE LAST YEAR WHICH RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, EXCEPT THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN A YEAR LATER WHILE I WAS SITTING IN BUSY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MY CAR STARTED WHINING AND ROCKING THIS MORNING WHILE I WAS A STOP, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND THEN I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES (BATTERY WOULD ENGAGE, ENGINE WOULD ATTEMPT TO TURN BUT WOULDN'T CATCH). EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO START MY ENGINE AND DRIVE HOME SAFELY. HOWEVER I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL THE PART IS ONCE AGAIN REPLACED.
Car falsely indicates overheating and goes into “limp mode” not allowing me to accelerate even while driving. Has occurred on freeway, while parked, in intersections, and has posed a threat to my safety over a hundred times. Been yelled at by other drivers and almost hit countless times because I’ve been unable to accelerate whilst trying to pull over safely. “Hill start assist not available” appears and then “engine fault service now” accompanied by the speedometer going to 0mph (even while driving) as well as the RPM’s going to 0. Lastly, “high engine temperature” appears and car starts shaking and lurching and the engine gets extremely loud until I’m able to turn it off. Sometimes turns back on right away, sometimes I’m stuck in car on side of road/freeway for minutes-hours. Been to 2 Ford dealerships as well as many mechanics and have been told it’s fixed several times and it has not been. After replacing transmission, spark plugs, corroded wires, coolant, and more, Ford dealership said they have no idea what is wrong with car. Exploring online I found many other reports of 2013 escapes having the same issues as well as other Ford vehicles. This has affected my safety too many times and I’m unable to find a solution anywhere. Check engine light is always on unless cleared. Has been occurring on and off (more frequently as time passes) since I got car 2.5 years ago and have been unable to receive any help or solutions. Occurs at any speed, even while in park. I have videos as well of the car not turning on and actively showing these alerts whilst I’m driving. Sometimes the car will even be “on” but the entire dash is black as if the car was off.
VEHICLE IN MOTION, HIGHWAY AND CITY SPEEDS, ENGINE IS HESITATING AND STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. 2013 TURBO FORD ESCAPE
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Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026