2013 Ford Escape power train problems
399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2013 Ford Escape — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jun 18, 2026
“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 Mar 16, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detachCampaign 22V413000 · Jun 10, 2022
- Bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over…Campaign 18V471000 · Jul 16, 2018
Related service bulletins
Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Inspection and Protective Service Cap Installation
25B61 · Other · issued Feb 17, 2026
Power Train problems in other Escape years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 Escape | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 Escape | 19 | 20% |
| 2022 Escape | 30 | 13% |
| 2021 Escape | 39 | 12% |
| 2020 Escape | 231 | 15% |
| 2019 Escape | 121 | 21% |
| 2018 Escape | 265 | 15% |
| 2017 Escape | 386 | 15% |
| 2016 Escape | 319 | 30% |
| 2015 Escape | 284 | 27% |
| 2014 Escape | 479 | 23% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2013 Ford Escape
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.