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2013 Ford Escape: engine knocking or ticking

6 of the 2,753 complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
0%
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 26 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Engine randomly stalls when pulling out into traffic. This has happened on at least 10 occasions in the last year, and 3 or 4 of those were extremely dangerous situations. Many parts have been replaced, but nothing has solved the problem. There are no codes or check engine lights, and since it only happens randomly, the service centers have not been able to reproduce the problem. There is no advance warning when this is going to happen. There are tons of similar reports that can be easily found with a google search of "2013 Ford Escape 1.6 stalling", but none have a clear fix. 1000's of these cars are on the road, and are ticking time bombs just waiting to cause an accident.

Filed Dec 29, 2022 · Engine · OR

I took my car to Ford they said it was leaking oil into the turbo and I will need a total engine replacement no oil low indicator light came on my car started knocking and I shut it off right away at the dealership they said oil was leaking into the turbo and when they drain the oil there was metal in my oil plan total engine replacement will cost me $10,000

Filed Aug 19, 2022 · Engine · 200,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was unable to accelerate to exceed 25 MPH. There was also a knocking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle safely to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2019 · Engine · PA

The vehicle is loosing coolant. Start runs and after a couple miles shuts off. Will start back up and drive. Ford recalled the 2013 ford escapes made up to august 31,2012. Mine was made in august 2012. Ticking coming from the engine. Smokes white smoke when first started.

Filed Aug 17, 2013 · Engine · 9,244 miles · TX

After driving a 1/2 mile from my home my 2013 ford escape overheated and said "stop safely temperature high" or something to that extent. The vehicle then became inoperable and I managed to coast to a safe location. The coolant cap had exploded off the tank and my motor was covered with fluid. The dealership keep my car for 5 days and could not find a diagnosis but they did manage to add 100 miles to it and use all my gas. Presently the vehicle smells like burnt coolant while driving it and now idles high in park. I am afraid to drive the vehicle for safety reasons. Ford has not offered any resolution or help. I'm not sure what to do. They say my VIN wasn't part of the recall but I find that hard to believe and I am driving around in a ticking fire hazard.

Filed Apr 15, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 6,000 miles · TX

The check engine light came on and averaged 15mpg highway getting to the dealership. They said it was the knock sensor. They replaced it and 24 hours later check engine light on again, same mpg. This time they say its the computer needs to be changed. One month later, check engine light on again with a fault and the engine surges.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported November 25, 2013 · 139,917 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through June 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6L engines. The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak.
Risk
Leaking engine oil may come into contact with a hot engine surface potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shielding, cooling and control systems, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014. The recall began on April 9, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall number is 13S12.

Recall number 13V583000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported December 3, 2012 · 80,057 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.
Risk
If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle’s powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as Ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact Ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 12V551000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported September 4, 2012 · 6,146 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant.
Risk
As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 12V431000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2013 Ford Escape knocking

Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2013 Ford Escape?

6 of 2,753 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape (0%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2005.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Ford Escape?

There are 3 recalls and 26 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Ford Escape

Stalling 594Overheating 517Check engine light 358Engine failure 126Power steering loss 126Loss of power 125Fire or smoke 116Hesitation 91Jerking 67Door locks 66Won't shift 64Transmission failure 60Won't start 51Fuel smell 47Misfire 44Steering lock-up 33Wipers 31Shudder 24ABS 22Fuel leak 21Slipping 19Fuel pump 17Seat belt 15Sudden acceleration 15Warning lights 15Airbag light 14Harsh shifting 14Backup camera 12Oil consumption 12Adaptive cruise 10No deployment 10Ball joint 9Brake failure 9Key fob 8Battery drain 7Grinding brakes 7Tire blowout 7Headlights 6Screen failure 5Sunroof shattered 5Water leak 5

All model years of the Ford Escape

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