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2013 Ford Escape transmission problems

401 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 81,000. 10 crashes reported.

owner complaints
401
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
81,000
crashes
10
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
    8
  • Automatic transmission
    3
  • Shift linkage/cable/rod
    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 transmission problems in other years

200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Ford Escape transmission

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

Hesitation 91Jerking 67Won't shift 64Transmission failure 60Shudder 24Slipping 19Harsh shifting 14

Related recalls

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rodReported June 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported July 16, 2018 · 504,182 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.

Recall number 18V471000 · Recall details

What 2013 Ford Escape owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Transmission failure needing full replacement

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 93,000 miles · MA

The contact's son owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact's son pulled off to the shoulder of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and went into LIMP Mode and drove slowly back to the residence. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Transmission · PA

The shifter wouldn't go into park or start in park had to put in neutral to start it, was at a gas pump and the car started moving on its own had to jump in and pull the emergency brake to stop it and the vehicle was off, also the backup camera is upside down had it fixed but it goes right back upside down.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Transmission · MS

Transmission stopped working. It completely disengaged and i was unable to move the vehicle in the middle of an intersection. This created a potentially fatal breakdown.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Transmission · MI

My wastegate solenoid in my turbo is over-boosting. I have replaced it once and it’s still an issue. I also am leaking coolant heavily. Ive seen 2013 ford escapes engine’s like mine have recalls stating 1.6L Engine Overheating & Fire Risk: A major recall involved 1.6L engines where a cylinder head cup plug could fail, causing coolant loss and potential fire. Another recall addressed fuel lines that could leak, causing fire risks. I’ve looked on Carfax, and Ford.com to see if my car has the recall alert and it says it does not but I have the same exact issues.

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Transmission · MI

My 2013 Ford Escape had safety recall 22S43 (the federal safety agency 22V413000) completed by a Ford dealer in January 2023. That recall was supposed to fix a defect in which the shift cable bushing can detach from the transmission, potentially allowing the transmission to remain in gear even when the shifter shows “Park.” After the recall repair, the same issue has occurred again — the bushing has disconnected from the transmission lever, creating the same roll-away risk that the recall was intended to correct. When this happens, the gear selector shows “Park,” but the vehicle can still move. Ford Motor Company Customer Service told me that because more than 12 months or 12,000 miles have passed since the recall repair, they will not cover it again. However, this is the same safety defect reoccurring after the recall remedy. It appears that the recall repair did not permanently correct the problem, and the part may still be defective or the cable end may have worn prematurely. I am submitting this report because the defect has returned after the recall was supposedly completed, and I believe other owners may also experience repeat failures that pose a roll-away safety risk.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and failed to return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · KS

My 2013 Ford Escape, bought in September 2022 with a new engine, has been problematic. It initially worked well but lost transmission power less than a year later. I managed to drive it home, but it hasn't worked since. Two repair shops confirmed a needed new transmission, costing $6,000, and found metal shavings in the fluid. There were no warning signs before the failure. Before the transmission issue, the car needed repairs for a significant oil leak. I haven't driven it for two years due to high repair costs, yet I pay $500 monthly, causing financial strain. The dealership advised against a warranty, saying the new engine's warranty would cover issues for three years. I declined the warranty, but when the transmission failed, the dealership refused coverage, reflecting poorly on their practices. Similar complaints from other owners suggest a systemic issue, possibly warranting a recall. The lack of warning signs indicates a design or manufacturing flaw. This situation has caused financial hardship and inconvenience, turning the promise of a reliable vehicle into a nightmare. I pay $500 monthly for a non-functional car, money that could be used elsewhere. The dealership's refusal to honor the warranty feels like a betrayal, prioritizing profits over customer satisfaction. The pattern of transmission failures across vehicles suggests a need for a recall to address safety concerns and help affected owners. In conclusion, my experience with my 2013 Ford Escape has been frustrating and disappointing. From the oil leak to the transmission failure, the vehicle has been troublesome. The lack of warning signs, high repair costs, and the dealership's refusal to honor the warranty have worsened the issue. I urge Ford to take responsibility and initiate a recall for customer safety and satisfaction.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was diagnosed that the flywheel and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was referred to Custom Trans, Inc., where the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Fuel system, Steering · MS

Steering wheel locked up hard to turn wheel Consuming(burning) way more gas than normally would

Questions about the 2013 Ford Escape transmission

Does the 2013 Ford Escape have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 401 complaints about the transmission of the 2013 Ford Escape, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2013 Ford Escape transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 81,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Escape transmission?

Yes, 2 recalls: 22V413000, 18V471000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Escape have bad transmission?

The Ford Escape model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (508 complaints), 2014 (481 complaints) and 2013 (401 complaints).

Other 2013 Ford Escape problems

Engine 1,426Electrical 339Steering 303Fuel system 287Acceleration 92Body 87Brakes 72Locks 65Airbags 54Driver assistance 51Seat belts 43Visibility 38Wheels 33Suspension 27Lights 15Tires 8Seats 7

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