2013 Ford Escape Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)

Recall Number: 

22V413000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

22S43

Number of vehicles affected: 

2925968

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Defect Consequence: 

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Recall Number: 

20V331000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

20S30

Number of vehicles affected: 

2147323

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Defect Consequence: 

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. This recall is expected to begin July 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

Recall Number: 

18V471000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

18S20

Manufactured from: 

2013-05-15 to 2015-08-31

Number of vehicles affected: 

504182

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

Defect Consequence: 

If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 30, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Recall Number: 

16V643000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

16S30

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2015-01-31

Number of vehicles affected: 

2046297

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Defect Consequence: 

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Due to a limited parts supply, each owner was mailed an interim notification beginning on October 3, 2016 and will receive a second notice when parts are available in the second quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Electrical system:wiring

Recall Number: 

15V813000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S17-S1

Manufactured from: 

2012-01-11 to 2013-04-01

Number of vehicles affected: 

9017

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Defect Consequence: 

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.

Air bags

Recall Number: 

14V597000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S21

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2013-11-01

Number of vehicles affected: 

746842

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

Defect Consequence: 

The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.

Electrical system:wiring

Recall Number: 

14V495000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S17

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-02 to 2013-04-01

Number of vehicles affected: 

133227

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Defect Consequence: 

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.

Structure:body:door

Recall Number: 

14V239000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S03

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2014-04-10

Number of vehicles affected: 

581986

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving.

Defect Consequence: 

A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S03.

Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module

Recall Number: 

14V237000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S04

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2014-02-24

Number of vehicles affected: 

594785

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

Defect Consequence: 

If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.

Seats:front assembly:recliner

Recall Number: 

14V164000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14C03

Manufactured from: 

2012-06-05 to 2013-08-12

Number of vehicles affected: 

43135

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Defect Consequence: 

The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall Number: 

13V584000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

13S12

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2012-07-11

Number of vehicles affected: 

9469

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine subject to prior safety recall NHTSA 12V-336. In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The misinstalled fuel line could chafe and eventually leak fuel.

Defect Consequence: 

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

Engine

Recall Number: 

13V583000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

13S12

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2013-06-02

Number of vehicles affected: 

139917

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through June 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6L engines. The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak.

Defect Consequence: 

Leaking engine oil may come into contact with a hot engine surface potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

Latches/locks/linkages

Recall Number: 

13V085000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

13S02

Manufactured from: 

2012-11-14 to 2012-11-21

Number of vehicles affected: 

5675

Defect Description: 

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.

Defect Consequence: 

The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine and engine cooling

Recall Number: 

12V551000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

12S41

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2012-11-26

Number of vehicles affected: 

80057

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle+s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle+s 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

Recall Number: 

12V431000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

12S39

Manufactured from: 

2011-10-05 to 2012-08-31

Number of vehicles affected: 

6146

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, September 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall Number: 

12V336000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

12S35

Number of vehicles affected: 

9320

Defect Description: 

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.

Defect Consequence: 

If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle. Customers will be provided with a rental vehicle if needed. The dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line, free charge. The recall is expected to begin on July 20, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

Recall Number: 

12V319000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

12S34

Manufactured from: 

2012-03-08 to 2012-06-07

Number of vehicles affected: 

8266

Defect Description: 

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2012 THROUGH JUNE 7, 2012. DUE TO MIS-POSITIONED CARPET PADDING THE CENTER CONSOLE TRIM PANEL MAY BE PUSHED OUTBOARD OF THE INTENDED POSITION, REDUCING CLEARANCE RELATIVE TO THE PEDAL PACKAGE.

Defect Consequence: 

THE REDUCED CLEARANCE MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVER+S FOOT CONTACTING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE TRANSFERRING THE FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Action: 

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING AND LEFT-SIDE CONSOLE TRIM PANEL REPLACED WITH A NEW PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JULY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.