2013 Ford Escape: jerking or lurching

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Transmission · KY

The transmission has completely gone out. On this car model, there isn't a dip stick for the owner to check transmission fluid levels. While pulling out of a parking space the car hesitated on going into first gear and then jerked really hard before continuing to move. While still in the parking lot of a retail store, the car continued to hesitate between gears and then a low coolant message appeared. After going to the next store, a large grocery chain, in the same parking lot I proceeded to purchase a funnel that would allow me to top off the coolant, which was barely low to begin with. When I tried backing out of the space to go home, the car hesitated on going into reverse, jerked really hard again and that's when I proceeded to pull the car back into the parking spot at the grocery store and ordered a Lyft to take me and my groceries home. The message "transmission failure" did not come on until I was pulling the car back into the parking space before ordering a Lyft. I had the car towed to my mechanics shop where he proceeded to tell me I would need a new transmission. However, 6 to 7 months prior to that, the car was at the authorized dealer where it was purchased originally from to have the safety recall repair done to the gear shifting cables and bushings, which were replaced. The service worker now informed me that they never checked the transmission fluid levels or any other fluid in the car to make sure that the car was in good condition and ready to drive. Seeing that there is no dip stick for an owner to check the transmission fluid level and the "gear shifting cable" and bushings directly effect the transmission and 6 months later the transmission goes out completely has caused me great concern and duress. I am caring for both my elderly parents and we are now without a car with doctors appointments coming up and their ongoing and increasing medical issues, this has really left us in a huge bind.

Filed Aug 16, 2024 · Transmission · 151,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while test-driving the vehicle at various speeds with the vehicle in sport(S) mode, the vehicle jerked, was hesitating, and failed to shift as intended. The dealer advised the contact to not drive the vehicle in sport(S) mode. The contact followed the instructions; however, the failure persisted while driving. The dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that there was stagnant water in the spare tire wheel well in the trunk. The contact also noticed that there was water leaking on the front driver's side seat belt and on the front driver's side floor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an intensive water entry testing was performed, and unknown related repairs were made. The vehicle was taken to several transmission specialists, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2024 · Engine · OH

Car shaking when I accelerate. Car jerking at times upon accelerating. Major oil leak to the point that a car place refused to change my oil due to liability.

Filed Dec 27, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · LA

The transmission will sometimes fail to engage immediately after putting the vehicle in drive or reverse. If the driver steps on the gas pedal, the transmission jerks violently to engage. Also while driving, the transmission will have a slight slipping before allowing acceleration. No OBD codes appear and no dashboard warning messages appear. In addition to the transmission problem, I obtained a P0234 and P0299 OBD code. This code is for the turbocharger overboost solenoid, which I had replaced, but the code has returned.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Electrical · 62,137 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the “Engine Power Reduced” message was displayed and the vehicle started to jerk and run rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be restarted several times before the vehicle regained normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V495000 (Electrical System) The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,137.

Filed Nov 14, 2022 · Transmission · 105,817 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the transmission fault service warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred. The dealer suggested that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 105,817.

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Engine · 178,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle would not properly accelerate and experienced jerking before eventually stalling. upon inspection, it was discovered that the coolant had leaked from the vehicle. The contact replaced the coolant temperature sensor and the coolant tank and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the engine water pump. Eventually, the failures reoccurred and the local dealer advised that the coolant lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 178,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Transmission · 147,464 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to drive the vehicle, the vehicle shifted into reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the brakes and the transmission needed to be repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 147,464.

Filed Jul 29, 2022 · Steering · NC

Steering Column needs to be replaced per dealership service center. The steering became jerky and loose. Also when turning , steering continued to turn and had to be forcibly returned to straight. Very scary.

Filed Jul 11, 2022 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) for which the VIN was included. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · WA

Car falsely indicates overheating and goes into “limp mode” not allowing me to accelerate even while driving. Has occurred on freeway, while parked, in intersections, and has posed a threat to my safety over a hundred times. Been yelled at by other drivers and almost hit countless times because I’ve been unable to accelerate whilst trying to pull over safely. “Hill start assist not available” appears and then “engine fault service now” accompanied by the speedometer going to 0mph (even while driving) as well as the RPM’s going to 0. Lastly, “high engine temperature” appears and car starts shaking and lurching and the engine gets extremely loud until I’m able to turn it off. Sometimes turns back on right away, sometimes I’m stuck in car on side of road/freeway for minutes-hours. Been to 2 Ford dealerships as well as many mechanics and have been told it’s fixed several times and it has not been. After replacing transmission, spark plugs, corroded wires, coolant, and more, Ford dealership said they have no idea what is wrong with car. Exploring online I found many other reports of 2013 escapes having the same issues as well as other Ford vehicles. This has affected my safety too many times and I’m unable to find a solution anywhere. Check engine light is always on unless cleared. Has been occurring on and off (more frequently as time passes) since I got car 2.5 years ago and have been unable to receive any help or solutions. Occurs at any speed, even while in park. I have videos as well of the car not turning on and actively showing these alerts whilst I’m driving. Sometimes the car will even be “on” but the entire dash is black as if the car was off.

Filed Mar 24, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · 101,000 miles · IL

The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stopped abruptly. The transmission warning message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to her parents' residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred her to the federal safety agency. No additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.