2013 Ford Escape: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Electrical · VA

Car will not start when temperature outside is near or below freezing. Message "no key detected" displays on the console. Lights flash with clicking noises while the car tries to start. This happened in 2020. It seemed to be resolved. In the past couple months it has happened multiple times. Each time the dealership returned car "fixed" to no avail. This has left me stranded multiple times.

Filed May 30, 2021 · Electrical · FL

Vehicle had transmission replaced at 80,000 miles due to the gears slipping and the car going forward in reverse and accelerating without pressing the gas. Vehicle now has 109,000 miles and has presented with other issues. The first incident occurred after fueling the vehicle. Owner got back into the car, all of the lights the turn on when a door is open illuminated and they proceeded to press the brake and attempt to turn on the car. The brake seized up and the car was not turning on. Owner had battery replaced three weeks ago at a shop and the computer was reset. Owner called roadside thinking it may need a jump. Roadside arrived and advised the vehicle was not in need of a jump as the battery components were testing fine and the lights illuminated and the key fob was working. Attempted to start vehicle numerous times, including with remote start and owner reports it felt as if the start stop button wasn't working. Eventually, the car turned on and ran for about 10 second when the engine cut out and the battery remained running (AC, radio, lights, etc.) owner and roadside tried to turn the vehicle off and the button was not working. Waited 10 minutes, opened driver door and then the stop button worked. Advised a tow, tow truck came an hour later and car started as normal. Owner took it to dealer to report the problem and they replaced the vapor valve. Next day owner drove about 35 miles to destination and when they came back out to the car the issue repeated. Car would not start but all lights would come on dash. Car was able to be remote started but then engine cut out. After an hour car started as normal but was towed back to dealer for fear of stalling while on the highway. Vehicle has been at the dealer for 3 days and they have had the issue repeat for themselves. The dealer has stated they have checked everything and have no idea what is going on and are unsure of how to figure out the problem and how to fix it.

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Engine · 160,000 miles · MN

While in motion on the freeway in a busy metro area, traveling at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled with an instant loss of power and flashed a code that said there was an 'engine malfunction' and 'service now'. I was able to coast to the side of the freeway without incident, however, this could have been disasterous at those speeds on a metro freeway. I was able to restart the vehicle with the push button start and although it started sluggish, it resumed driving with no codes as if nothing had happened. Until an hour later, when the same repeat incident occurred. The car was functioning completely normal without any warning indicator that there was an issue....until the vehicle instantly shut down at a high speed. This is absoluetly hazardous and the dealership said there is no open recall for this issue, despite the multiple online reports of other consumers experiencing the identical issue. The cause of this issue is unknown as all levels on the dashboard indicated the vehicle was in good operating condition until it shut down for no apparent reason. I repeat......it was a sudden loss of power in freeway traffic at high speeds. Vehicle code readers display no code when I have had them read. This vehicle was purchased used from a dealership and was inspected less than 3 months ago.

Filed Feb 14, 2020 · Electrical · 117,653 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle suddenly shut off in the middle of traffic. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the electrical system wiring. The vehicle was then taken to the campbell ford lincoln, inc. (2801 s 11th st, niles, mi 49120) where diagnostic testing determined that the failure was related to the security system and key fob. They stated that another key needed to be made. The issue recurred and the vehicle has been back to the dealer for a month with no fix yet for the issue. The manufacturer just stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 117,653.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CO

With in a year, the following happened; the vehicle turned off while driving on the highway at 75 MPH. Vehicle would not start on two separate occasions, and when it did, it immediately died but was not related to the battery. Key fob would not register to vehicle, vehicle was in motion when smoke was pouring out of the hood, no check engine light came on and nor temperature gage moved. This car is lemon based on the history from previous owner and the two years I have owned it.

Filed Oct 13, 2015 · Fuel system · 11,111 miles · VA

My mom's car is a remote fob push button start an stop and she cannot hear the car running to cut off sometimes leaving it running. We asked the ford dealer to program a 3 minute idle shut down but could not accomodate. No injury has been caused.

Filed Jun 17, 2013 · Engine · 3,100 miles · NV

In april, while proceeding through an intersection, the vehicle lost all power and stalled out in the middle of the road. I was able to quickly restart the vehicle. Once the vehicle was restarted and engaged into drive, it seemed to get a surge of power, accelerating at a faster speed than normal. On 6/16/2013, I was driving my vehicle to the store. During the trip, it felt like the vehicle was lagging, as if I was driving with the parking brake on. I verified that the parking brake was not on, and the vehicle was in drive (not the "s'" manual shift position). On the way home (approximately 45 minutes later), while pulling away from a stop sign, the engine lost all power, stalling the vehicle. I was going downhill, so I was able to navigate to the side of the road. The vehicle was difficult to start. The vehicle usually starts immediately with the push button start, but this time it did not, I had to hold the push button down for approximately 5 to 7 seconds before the vehicle started. While driving home after this, it again felt like the vehicle was lagging, or as if the brake was on while I was driving.

Filed Dec 3, 2012 · Locks · 2,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford escape. The contact stated that she was in the rear seat when she became trapped inside the vehicle. The contact noticed that the doors were locked however, she was unable to unlock the doors. The driver had to unlock the doors from the exterior of the vehicle using the remote key fob in order for the contact to exit. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 2,000.