Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The coolant detector would not accurately detect the coolant level. The coolant reservoir needed to be refilled weekly. The ABS warning system would chime and illuminate whenever the vehicle was started, and the vehicle would fail to move. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle several times, the ABS warning light turned off and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping out of the park(P) into drive(D). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the wheel hub bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the wheel hub bearings were replaced four times and the front axles were replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that an independent mechanic had performed a replacement of the inner and outer tie rods, the wheel bearings, and other unknown parts. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the ABS, traction control, Hill Assist, and instrument panel warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she was unable to drive uphill, and the vehicle swayed while coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the ABS sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under Ford Campaign Number: 14N02. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his foot was depressing the accelerator pedal, the back of the contact's foot would strike the brake pedal due to a reduced clearance between the accelerator and brake pedals. The contact stated that failure restricted the ability to properly depress the brake pedal while driving at highway speeds. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V319000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Structure); and related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal however, the brakes failed to engage. No warning lights were illuminated. As a result, the contact's brother swerved off the road but was able to engage the parking brake. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,905.
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her daughter related to her that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started independently braking without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact's daughter stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side wheel speed sensor and ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was hard while being depressed. The contact placed both feet on the brake pedal and shifted the vehicle into neutral(N) and was able to safely pull to the side of the roadway while the vehicle slowed down. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist after the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with ABS failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal would extend to the floor causing the stopping distance to delay. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,280.
December of 2022 - Took car to shop due to engine overheat light and oil smell inside vehicle as well as other "codes coming up. Vehicle was repaired. May 2023 had to take car back to shop due to cranking and it immediately saying engine overheating, low coolant, and various other codes as well as brakes not properly functioning. Repair shop said it was low on coolant and added fluid, stated no leaks and returned vehicle. But repair shop shows it pulled 15 codes, including loss of communication with ABS control module A as well as 3 other "lost communication with" codes and the engine overheating. The NEXT day we had the same issues and had to put it back in the shop. They flushed system and replaced motor because a bad head gasket caused oil to mix with the water (again). …
I picked my car up tonight from Haley's in FarmVille va they fixed my door latches due to recall on latches. I told Them prior to dropping it off that the ABS light and traction control light and engine coolant light keeps coming on. When I pulled out the parking lot I almost got rear ended because the car didn't want to go it was moving so slow I had to slowly make myself across the road into kfc parking lot without getting hit. Haley refuses to fix these problems bc the light automatically goes off on its own and they say it's got to physically be on for them to fix it through recall but it keeps coming on whenever I have the car In my possession and it's very dangerous
Brake complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 2,751 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Escape brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Ford Escape, though it has 18 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.