Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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 owned a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the rear passenger side door erroneously opened causing a distraction to the driver and the vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bag did not deploy. During the crash, the contact sustained neck, shoulder, and back injuries. No medical treatment was received. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 212,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon start of his vehicle, the rear driver's side door failed to lock securely. The contact also stated that the transmission shifter cable had failed to move out of park as the "transmission in neutral" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. Upon release of the brake pedal, the vehicle began to roll forward while the vehicle was in park(P). Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where he was informed that both failures were under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 22V413000 (Power Train). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH with the windows closed, he noticed that exterior noises were louder than usual. The contact drove to his residence. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front driver's side door was slightly ajar and failed to latch properly. The contact attempted to close and lock the door but the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) that he associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 211,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact was informed after an emission test that there were two recalls on his vehicle; NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the contact was never informed that the parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) was not available. Upon return of the vehicle, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle out of park(P) as the instrument panel indicated that the vehicle was in neutral(N). The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was 164,098. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon a vehicle inspection, she was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The contact stated that upon opening the front driver's and passenger's side doors, the doors failed to lock securely when closed. The contact stated that the latch remained in the closed position on both doors, preventing the doors from being secured. The contact's husband called the dealer and was informed that the parts were on back order and that the recall repair could not be performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact's wife owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The local dealer was contacted on two separate occasions and the contact was informed that the parts were available; however, after the vehicle was taken to and left overnight at the dealer, the dealer called back and stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact's wife had experienced an unknown failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway, the front passenger's side door suddenly came ajar. The "Passenger Door Ajar" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact called a local dealer and was advised of the cost for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 94,996.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear liftgate door erroneously became unlatched and opened. The contact later discovered that the rear liftgate locking mechanism was faulty and the liftgate door would not remain closed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that since receiving the notification, the driver's, and passenger's side rear doors failed to latch securely. Several dealers were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that due to a shortage of parts, they were unable to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 16V643000 (Latches, Locks, Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. Part distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Door Latch Failures
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Door Latch Failure
In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer…
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2013 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2013 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 2,751 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Escape door lock & latch problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-331 (latch, Jun 8, 2020); NHTSA recall 16V-643 (latch, Sep 6, 2016); NHTSA recall 13V-085 (latches/locks/linkages, Mar 7, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to locks & latches 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.