2013 Ford Escape body problems

87 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 40,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 87
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 40,000
crashes: 2
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Body
64
Body: door
6
Body: hatchback/liftgate
3
Frame and members: underbody shields
1
Frame and members
1
Body: tailgate
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Ford Escape body problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford Escape body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sunroof shattered 5 Water leak 5

Related recalls

Structure: body: doorReported May 7, 2014 · 581,986 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.

Recall number 14V239000 · Recall details

StructureReported July 6, 2012 · 8,266 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: The reduced clearance may result in the drivers 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: 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.

Recall number 12V319000 · Recall details

What 2013 Ford Escape owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Body · MI

Driver door would won’t latch I tried wd40 and put the latch back in place noting working I thought I should notify that it is a safety risk

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Body · WA

Right passenger door came unlatched while driving. Had to manually keep the door shut while driving.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Body, Brakes · 124,000 miles · NJ

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Apr 13, 2025 · Body · TX

The trunk of the vehicle was open. Without warning/reason, a support bar that helps hold up the open liftgate popped off and the liftgate swung closed rapidly with its full weight, not supported by anything. The support bar that had popped off obstructed the path of the falling liftgate, causing damage to the trunk panel. The speed at which the liftgate fell at full force could have caused severe injury or death. This has not been confirmed by a dealership or anyone else- this just happened today and I have not had it looked at by anyone yet.

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Body, Brakes · TX

*car shakes as it brakes *coolant leaks (i see in the ford escape recalls there is one for coolant leaking) *upon opening doors it feel a slight stuck before opening. the doors don’t feel intact properly. *rubbers around windows appear loose. windows may not be secured.

Filed Jul 16, 2024 · Body · IA

The rear door latch does not latch and keep the door closed. There are other recalls for this issue on 2013 Ford Escapes but according to my specific VIN there is no recall. Those other recalls are the federal safety agency Campaign ID 20V331000 and 16V643000.

Filed Jan 20, 2023 · Body · PA

Drivers side rear door failed to close after opening/ would not latch. Took the car to a local dealership and after a week of being told it was being fixed was then told the parts were not available until 5 weeks later and that no loaner car was authorized by the dealer. So 7 weeks wait for parts is not reasonable by any std for a domestic car made within the past 10 years.bad faith, no repair no remedy offered.

Filed Jun 22, 2022 · Body · KY

While driving on I-64 with direction to Lexington, KY, the hood of the car flew back and smashed the windshield. I was going at 70mph on I-64, driving in the middle lane and with my 3yo son seated in the back in his carseat. I managed to keep control of the car, slowed down and pulled to the right side of the road. The car was non drivable, so AAA had to tow us. My insurance company, Kentucky Farm Bureau, has checked the car and stated that is totaled. I have never heard of a car's hood smashing the windshield and the latch not working. There is no police report as they stated that with no collision, there can't be a report. There was no warning lamp about this problem. When going back, the hood ripped the latch from the body of the car. Thankfully both my son and myself were not injured and no one on the road was affected by this.

Filed May 9, 2022 · Body · MN

There is VERY advanced rust on the bottom of the drivers side passenger door, I did some searches online and it looks like this is common on escapes from this year. I think Ford must have had a manufacturing issue because I have never seen rust develop this quickly on vehicle that is not that old and wonder if it's developing other places I can't see. Very disappointed, there is clearly and issue with these fords.

Filed Aug 23, 2021 · Body · KS

The door latches were recalled on the 2013 ford escape but now the hatch isn't staying shut. Why was only the doors recalled & not the hatch as well?

Questions about the 2013 Ford Escape body

Does the 2013 Ford Escape have body problems?

Owners have filed 87 complaints about the body of the 2013 Ford Escape, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 40,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Escape body?

Yes, 2 recalls: 14V239000, 12V319000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Escape have the most body problems?

The Ford Escape model years with the most body complaints are 2020 (671 complaints), 2005 (434 complaints) and 2004 (138 complaints).