2013 Ford Escape Problems: What to Look For If Buying Used


in Problems
Silver and gold 2013 Ford Escape in a showroom

Source: Flickr

The Ford Escape is a popular compact crossover selection offered by Ford since 2002. If you’re interested in the 2013 Ford Escape, it’s critical to understand what you’re getting into. Some model years are incredible, while others should be avoided at all costs. You might wonder - what are the most significant 2013 Ford Escape problems?

If you’re interested in learning more about troubles with the 2013 Ford Escape, you’ve come to the right place. The more you know about common issues with this vehicle, the easier it will be to determine the worst options on the used market. Read on to learn more about frequent troubles, whether the 2013 Escape is worth purchasing, and other valuable information. 

The 3 Most Common Problems Reported By 2013 Ford Escape Owners

If you want to purchase this vehicle, here are the most common 2013 Ford Escape problems according to carcomplaints.com

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The Most Common Problems with the 2013 Ford Escape:

  • Engine problems: The engine was, by far, the biggest thing wrong with the 2013 Ford Escape. Common iterations of engine faults included the engine stalling and shutting down while driving, bucking and stalling at low rpm, and the check engine light turning on.
  • Transmission issues: The transmission was also up there for the most complaints. Common transmission errors included overall transmission failure, transmission slipping and jerking, and the shuddering of the transmission. 
  • Interior accessory faults: Finally, there were significant errors in the interior accessories. Troubles included navigation system malfunctions, cheap layers of plastic used on the inside, the audio system refusing to shut off, and uncomfortable seats for passengers and drivers.

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Should You Buy a Used 2013 Ford Escape?

No. The 2013 Ford Escape is one of the worst years for the Ford Escape and should be avoided like the plague. It has far more engine issues than similar compact cars, meaning it will cause extensive trouble and cost you more in repairs.

We strongly recommend against purchasing this year. There are plenty of alternative years on the market for the Ford Escape, so research these and pick one with fewer troubles than the 2013 version.

To compare other Ford Escape models against one another, check out CoPilot Compare.

Engine Troubles

The most common fault in the 2013 Ford Escape is in the engine.

The majority of the complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape come from drivers voicing their opinions about the engine. There were 125 complaints about the engine, which is more than double what was heard about the transmission. Common indicators included bucking and stalling at low rpm and the engine stalling and shutting down.

Cost To Fix: $1,000-$3,000

Typically, a mechanic will charge $1,000-$3,000 to make repairs to an engine.

Always check with your insurance to see if there are any potential discounts beforehand. Otherwise, be prepared because the engine is one of the most expensive components to handle in a Ford Escape system.

Transmission Issues

The second most common error in the 2013 Ford Escape is in the transmission. 

Drivers reported noticing the issues in their 2013 Ford Escape through symptoms like overall transmission failure, a slipping and jerking system, and a shuddering transmission, just to name a few.

Cost To Fix: $150-$3500

Typically, the price point will range from $150-$3500 for transmission fixes when working with a mechanic.

Smaller repairs like a fluid flush will cost less. However, if you need a complete transmission replacement in your 2013 Ford Escape, it will cost a few thousand dollars in parts and labor from a trusted mechanic.

Interior Accessory Faults

Finally, the third most common errors are interior accessory faults.

Drivers revealed the appearance of this issue through navigation system malfunctions, uncomfortable seats for passengers and drivers, the audio system refusing to turn off, and cheap layers of plastic coating the inside. These lead to a less enjoyable experience for all.

Cost To Fix: $600

It costs $600 or less to deal with interior accessory issues.

Interior accessories are one of the cheaper issues you could have with your 2013 Ford Escape. They won’t cost too much to deal with and won’t take extensive time to repair.


THE FORD ESCAPE YEARS TO AVOID

Thanks to several significant reliability woes, the Escape may sound perfect, but they are far from it. We have a list of the Ford Escape years to avoid, helping you know what to look for when purchasing a pre-owned unit. 


2013 Ford Escape Reliability Ratings

With the 2013 Ford Escape problems comes trouble with dependability. How do the reliability ratings look for this machine?

According to jdpower.com, the 2013 Ford Escape scores 74100 in reliability and quality. While this number isn’t awful, there are cars with a much better ranking than this from J.D. Power. It’s far from the best in its category.

According to cars.usnews.com, the 2013 Ford Escape receives an astounding ⅖ in reliability from several prominent sites. It’s safe to say that dependability isn’t exactly at the top of the list for the 2013 Ford Escape, which some people will enjoy, and others will not.

Overall, there are a few redeeming qualities for the 2013 Ford Escape. It seriously falls flat in dependability and construction, so it’s good to avoid the 2013 version while scouring the market for your next car. It isn’t reliable, and it comes with much baggage. You’ll have extensive issues if you decide to make this year your own.


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Final Thoughts

There are many prominent 2013 Ford Escape problems, including the engine, transmission, and interior accessories. Unfortunately, these - in particular, the troubles with the engine - make it one of the worst versions of the Ford Escape on the market. It might cost too much to keep the car in shape if you buy it.

We hope this information was helpful! It can feel like too much to examine the issues in every model, so our information should simplify the process. The 2013 Ford Escape might seem enticing, but it isn’t worth it. If you want a Ford Escape, try a different year for better results.



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