2013 Ford Escape: recalls and complaints

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• 26V01100015 Jan 2026Equipment / Electrical / Engine Block Heater
• 22V41300010 Jun 2022Power Train / Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod
• 20V3310008 Jun 2020Latches/Locks/Linkages / Doors / Latch
• 18V47100016 Jul 2018Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever and Linkage / Floor Shift
• 16V6430006 Sep 2016Latches/Locks/Linkages / Doors / Latch
• 15V8130002 Dec 2015Electrical System / Wiring
• 14V59700026 Sep 2014Seat Belts
• 14V49500011 Aug 2014Electrical System / Wiring
• 14V2370007 May 2014Air Bags / Side/Window
• 14V2390007 May 2014Structure / Body / Door
• 14V1640002 Apr 2014Seats / Front Assembly / Recliner
• 13V58400025 Nov 2013Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
• 13V58300025 Nov 2013Engine
• 13V0850007 Mar 2013Latches/Locks/Linkages
• 12V5510003 Dec 2012Engine and Engine Cooling
• 12V4310004 Sep 2012Engine and Engine Cooling
• 12V33600018 Jul 2012Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsAdvisory
• 12V3190006 Jul 2012Structure

1. 26V011000Received 15 Jan 2026. 116,672 units.

   Equipment / Electrical / Engine Block Heater

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 26S01.

2. 22V413000Received 10 Jun 2022. 2,925,968 units.

   Power Train / Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 22S43. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Oct 2022.

3. 20V331000Received 8 Jun 2020. 2,147,323 units.

   Latches/Locks/Linkages / Doors / Latch

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 20S30. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Jul 2020.

4. 18V471000Received 16 Jul 2018. 504,182 units.

   Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever and Linkage / Floor Shift

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 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.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 18S20. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Sep 2018.

5. 16V643000Received 6 Sep 2016. 2,046,297 units.

   Latches/Locks/Linkages / Doors / Latch

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 16S30. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Jan 2017.

6. 15V813000Received 2 Dec 2015. 9,017 units.

   Electrical System / Wiring

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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).

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 14S17-S1. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Jan 2016.

7. 14V597000Received 26 Sep 2014. 746,842 units.

   Seat Belts

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 14S21. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 26 May 2015.

8. 14V495000Received 11 Aug 2014. 133,227 units.

   Electrical System / Wiring

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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).

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 14S17. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 6 Oct 2014.

9. 14V237000Received 7 May 2014. 594,785 units.

   Air Bags / Side/Window

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 14S04. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 May 2014.

10. 14V239000Received 7 May 2014. 581,986 units.

    Structure / Body / Door

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 14S03. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 May 2014.

11. 14V164000Received 2 Apr 2014. 43,135 units.

    Seats / Front Assembly / Recliner

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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."

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 14C03. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 May 2014.

12. 13V584000Received 25 Nov 2013. 9,469 units.

    Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 13S12. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Apr 2014.

13. 13V583000Received 25 Nov 2013. 139,917 units.

    Engine

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, 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.

    Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 13S12. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Apr 2014.

14. 13V085000Received 7 Mar 2013. 5,675 units.

    Latches/Locks/Linkages

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

    Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 13S02. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Mar 2013.

15. 12V551000Received 3 Dec 2012. 80,057 units.

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by Ford Motor Company. Manufacturer campaign number 12S41. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Dec 2012.

16. 12V431000Received 4 Sep 2012. 6,146 units.

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 12S39. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Sep 2012.

17. 12V336000Received 18 Jul 2012. 9,320 units.

    Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsDo-not-drive advisory

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 12S35. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Aug 2012.

18. 12V319000Received 6 Jul 2012. 8,266 units.

    Structure

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    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 began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

    Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 12S34. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Jul 2012.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2013 Ford Escape
• All 2013 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 27.

Complaints that report a crash

27

Complaints that report a fire

53

Injuries in the complaints

30

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

15 May 2019

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 20000
2. 200113
3. 20028
4. 20037
5. 20046
6. 20054
7. 20063
8. 20072
9. 20083
10. 20091
11. 20103
12. 20112
13. 20121
14. 201318
15. 201416
16. 20159
17. 20164
18. 20174
19. 20184
20. 20193
21. 202023
22. 202119
23. 202219
24. 202311
25. 20248
26. 20259
27. 20262

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Ford Escape: all model years
• Ford: 201 model lines

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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
• NHTSA page of the 2013 Ford EscapeThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford Escape?

10,108,284 units in 18 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Ford Escape have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 95 recall campaigns for the Ford Escape, model years 2000 to 2026. 18 of them name the 2013 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape name most often?

Engine: 618 of 1,739 component mentions, or 355.4 per 1,000. For all 2013 vehicles the figure is 140.3 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2013 Ford Escape open?

No. Each of the 3 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.