2013 Ford Escape fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 13V584000Nov 25, 20139,469 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

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

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014. The recall began on April 9, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

• Recall 12V336000Jul 18, 20129,320 vehiclesDo not drive
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

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

  Remedy: 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 began on August 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 28, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Performance issues after Eco boost icon stopped appearing on Dash, followed by a Check Engine Light that was intermittent for a few days. Vehicle would fail after ignition and would lose pressure and RPMs directly after fueling vehicle. Fuel Line clear would fix issue, Had repair shop check battery and alternator with no issue found. Days following would smell slight gasoline odor from exhaust while on, smell moved to Engine bay and became overpowering. Had a Technician…

   NHTSA complaint #11767334 · source
2. Filed Sep 14, 2026152,000 miOKFireFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fire coming from under the hood. The contact turned off the vehicle, opened the hood, and extinguished the fire using coolant stored in the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire had started at the fuel line connector. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle when the vehicle was previously started. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11764119 · source
3. Filed May 6, 2026SCFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   This Ford Escape has had numerous issues with coolant leaks leading to total engine failure on October 2025. The vehicle is unrepairable with the turbo being damaged and is no longer on the road

   NHTSA complaint #11735961 · source
4. Filed Mar 15, 2026NYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11724405 · source
5. Filed Feb 19, 2026NCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11719080 · source
6. Filed Jan 13, 2026WIElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 complaint #11710574 · source
7. Filed Jul 7, 2025SCFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On June 24, 2025 at approx 4:45 pm, my wife and I were driving home. The car was running fine, no lights, gauges were normal, no info on screen, when all of a sudden the engine shut down, info on screen stated steering assisi unavailable, and smoke started coming from vents. We were aproaching a sharp curve in the road, so I had to manhandle the steering to keep from crashing. Then used the emergency brake to stop after insuring we cleared the curve. By that time, we were…

   NHTSA complaint #11671672 · source
8. Filed Apr 28, 2025COEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I just purchased this 2013 Escape with roughly 133,000 miles on it. The Car Fax showed the open recalls (latches and bushing) but that was it. Had the recalls done. Car immediately had issues with actuator and heater core. I tried to return the car and local dealer refused. Had heater core replaced for second time, after engine overheated due to coolant leak. Fuel sensor also had to be replaced due to fuel leak. Days after these repairs were done, car began leaking coolant…

   NHTSA complaint #11657269 · source
9. Filed Mar 17, 202550,000 miMIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that after stopping the vehicle and raising the hood, the engine was very hot. The contact stated that the coolant level was not checked. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who was unable to duplicate the…

   NHTSA complaint #11648732 · source
10. Filed Mar 12, 2025MAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his mother-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shake excessively, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that a cylinder was overheating. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to…

    NHTSA complaint #11647873 · source
11. Filed Oct 22, 2024NCElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Engine randomly stalls when pulling out into traffic. This has happened on at least 10 occasions in the last year, and 3 or 4 of those were extremely dangerous situations. Many parts have been replaced, but nothing has solved the problem. There are no codes or check engine lights, and since it only happens randomly, the service centers have not been able to reproduce the problem. There is no advance warning when this is going to happen. There are tons of similar reports that…

    NHTSA complaint #11621407 · source
12. Filed Sep 8, 2024FLElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    I bought the vehicle and February of 2020 and didn’t even have it for 6 months before it needed major repairs. In any other state, lemon laws would have applied and I wouldn’t be driving a dangerous vehicle. This model should not be on the market anymore, period. There have been countless failures: the transmission has been changed 3 times in less than 3 years, the purge valve has been changed twice and is going bad again, which has caused more problem for the engine cooling…

    NHTSA complaint #11613320 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology