Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 while driving approximately 30mph when the vehicle lost engine power. The contact stated fuel pump warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and towed the vehicle to a local mechanic where it was informed that the vehicle had experienced a fire but was extinguished due to the water pump bursting. The vehicle was diagnosed with needing the engine and fuel pump replaced but was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V584000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
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 manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, was notified of the failure by phone and referred the contact to NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the low coolant level message was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and noticed that the antifreeze was leaking from the radiator onto the ground. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and saw smoke. The contact then opened the hood and noticed that there was no antifreeze in the coolant reservoir. The contact contacted an independent mechanic who advised her to refill the coolant reservoir with water and to then take the vehicle to his location since she was 5 minutes away. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the heater hose assembly, the coolant return, and the vent tube assembly needed to be replaced. The parts were replaced. …
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 unable to see anything for all the smoke inside the car. Nothing would work so we could not roll the electric windows down. When stopped, we opened the doors and jumped out. Then I heard the engine compartment crackling due to a fire. Luckily, we escaped with no injuries except for smoke inhalation. I have been driving for over 58 years and doing mechanical repairs for over 60 years. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated while driving up an incline. The check engine and high engine temperature warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, a message to "Pull Over Safely" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact then stated that while driving at 55 MPH in the snow, the vehicle stalled while driving uphill. The vehicle failed to accelerate up the incline after multiple attempts. The contact stated that with the assistance of a friend the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic then informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V584000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The contact called the dealer and informed him that the recall was repaired previously and that no other assistance could be rendered. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, there was a strong gasoline odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact also stated that one day as his wife was driving, the vehicle began to jerk while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was notified by his wife of the failure and he was able to tow the vehicle himself to his home. The contact called the dealer where they informed him that there were no recalls on his vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V336000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer then referred him to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Always adding coolant, shook on start up, white smoke, eventually completely died which was inspected and had multiple repairs; reconditioned cylinder head, replaced water pump, thermostat and housing, timing belt, headset and head bolts, replace oil filter, fill oil and anti freeze, new battery. Total cost to fix was $3,367.98. The car is available for inspection upon request. Now after paying for all of those repairs, I am once again having the same problem with the car 1.5 years later. There have been no warning lamps either and it's been going on for over a year and has been serviced for the same reason in the past. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with general engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V584000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) for which the VIN was included; however, the vehicle was already repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from outside the vehicle. The contact went to check underneath the vehicle and noticed an oil leak coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the oil leak had a very strong odor. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the fuel line. The contact was informed that the fuel lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. Additionally, the contact was advised to contact the NHSTA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local automotive service center who diagnosed that the coolant reservoir and engine belts were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to contact the local service center for repairs to be performed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2013 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 287 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2013 Ford Escape, 10% of the model year's 2,751 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Escape fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-584 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Nov 25, 2013); NHTSA recall 12V-336 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 18, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 15 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.