Performance issues after Eco boost icon stopped appearing on Dash, followed by a Check Engine Light that was intermittent for a few days. Vehicle would fail after ignition and would lose pressure and RPMs directly after fueling vehicle. Fuel Line clear would fix issue, Had repair shop check battery and alternator with no issue found. Days following would smell slight gasoline odor from exhaust while on, smell moved to Engine bay and became overpowering. Had a Technician check and confirmed both the Fuel Line had ruptured and was actively dripping into Engine Bay, as well as the EVAP Purge Line had become completely broken off of the manifold. No active Recalls for this Vehicle but reading recent Complaints about this exact issue for this exact model and make. Vehicle @ 70,100 miles only two owners previous. Risk of Fire Hazard and Death.
2013 Ford Escape: gas smell in the cabin
47 of the 2,753 complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 47
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical repair cost reported
- $505
- typical mileage
- 86,000
- recalls
- 2
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fire coming from under the hood. The contact turned off the vehicle, opened the hood, and extinguished the fire using coolant stored in the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire had started at the fuel line connector. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle when the vehicle was previously started. The manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, was notified of the failure by phone and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
This was a recall earlier, twice, and it was supposedly fixed but the fuel vacuum line to the gas tank is leaking and giving off gasoline odors in the passenger area. Also another recall that was supposedly taken care of is an oil leak that is occuring often. The oil was changed only a month ago and already the oil has just about all leaked out. Both of these issues are fire hazards and the fuel leakage can can the operator or passengers to succomb to carbon minoxide. These were told to us by a Ford dealer who put the car on a diagnostic but they are saying that the recall is over and it will cost $1,400. for the fix. I bought this car, in June 2025 ;from a used car dealer. I am still paying on it. I never receive a car history of any kind from this dealer. . I had no idea that there were 18 recalls on this vehicle. That is really a lot. If either of these problems were fixed on a recall, could they re-occur again. On this particular fuel re-call, I read that it had to be done again because the first recall fix was not done well. I do not have $1,400. to fix this. I am an [XXX] senior woman and am buying this car for my daughter. It seems to me that one a recall is made that it is a permanent thing until there is an assurance that it is fixed and won't happen again. It also seems to me that a vehicle that has that many recalls should not be allowed to be sold to the public. Can I hold the dealer who sold it to me accountable for not letting me know about the recalls or not letting me know the history of the vehicle? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that after stopping the vehicle and raising the hood, the engine was very hot. The contact stated that the coolant level was not checked. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rattling noise and an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle while the vehicle was idling. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that there was a leak in the fuel line. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was then referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
On Tuesday July 30,2024 I started to notice the smell of gasoline inside my car, did not drive for 2 days, then on August 3rd the fumes were so strong they were making me sick. Parked car and called dealership Monday morning July 5. Not able to take me in until August 15, 2024. There were no warning lights on dashboard just the smell of gasoline, This problem could start a fire under the hood, hope to get it to dealership and they can resolve the problem.0
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from outside the vehicle. The contact went to check underneath the vehicle and noticed an oil leak coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the oil leak had a very strong odor. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the fuel line. The contact was informed that the fuel lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. Additionally, the contact was advised to contact the NHSTA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a gasoline odor on the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was able to smell a gasoline odor but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V336000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated on another occasion while driving at various speeds the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
While getting gas the other day , when I put the fuel in my car the nozzle into the gas tank a hissing sound came out of it out of the gas tank and it smelled like gas really bad, then I ran a code thing on my car said can't un able to bleed up fuel tank , I don't know why then after I got the gas when pulling the nozzle out it did it again , then my car would not start ,
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The contact examined under the hood of the vehicle and noticed that the fuel line was fractured, and gasoline was leaking onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under any recall for the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was 112,000.
The smell of gas is overwhelming. It reeks of gas and there was a recall on the 2013 Ford Escape for this reason, yet this vehicle isn’t associated with the recall. No mechanic will look at it due to the strong emission of gas.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine subject to prior safety recall the federal safety agency 12V‑336. In some cases, the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The misinstalled fuel line could chafe and eventually leak fuel.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, 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 13V584000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.
- Risk
- If this leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, there is an increased risk of a fire and/or personal injury.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle. Customers will be provided with a rental vehicle if needed. The dealer will replace the engine compartment fuel line, free charge. The recall began on August 10, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 12V336000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2013 Ford Escape fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2013 Ford Escape?
47 of 2,753 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape (2%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
How much does it cost to fix gas smell in the cabin on the 2013 Ford Escape?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $505 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Ford Escape?
There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin 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 51Misfire 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 7Knocking 6Headlights 6Screen failure 5Sunroof shattered 5Water leak 5
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