The whole answer is: which engine?
The 2013 Escape is the first year of the third generation, and it was sold with three very different engines. That single fact decides whether it is a smart buy or one to avoid, so the first thing to establish about any 2013 Escape is what is under the hood. The naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder is the low-risk choice — no turbo, and none of the issues below. The two turbocharged EcoBoost engines are a different story.
Why it can be a good car
With the base 2.5-litre engine, the 2013 Escape is a roomy, pleasant compact SUV with a conventional, well-understood powertrain and the 6F35 six-speed automatic used across the range. If you specifically want an Escape of this generation, the 2.5 is the version that sidesteps the engine problems the turbos are known for.
Why it can be a bad car — and it's engine-specific
- 1.6L EcoBoost — the one to be most careful with This engine was recalled for cylinder-head overheating that could crack the head and, in a series of recalls, lead to engine-compartment fires. If you are looking at a 1.6L car, confirming that every recall remedy was completed is non-negotiable.
- 2.0L EcoBoost — the coolant-intrusion family The 2.0L belongs to Ford's "open-deck" EcoBoost family associated with coolant getting into a cylinder, where the fix is a whole engine rather than a head gasket. Ford's documented repairs for the Escape's 2.0L centre on later (2015-plus) cars; for the 2013 it is alleged in a class-action lawsuit rather than a Ford-acknowledged repair — but it is a family concern worth understanding before you buy.
- A first-year model Beyond the engines, the 2013 carried an unusually large number of recalls, so verifying recall history by VIN matters more here than on most cars.
Does it have a timing belt or a timing chain?
It depends on the engine. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost and the 2.5-litre both use a timing chain; the 1.6-litre EcoBoost uses a timing belt.
The things to check before you buy
- Which engine it is This is the whole question. The 2.5-litre (no turbo badge) is the low-risk choice; the EcoBoost engines carry the issues above.
- Recall completion Confirm by VIN that every recall was performed — especially the 1.6L fire-risk and fuel-line campaigns.
- Coolant behaviour on an EcoBoost Check the coolant level and history, and look for any overheating record or unexplained coolant loss with no external leak.
- General turbo health On the EcoBoost cars, confirm the cooling system and turbo are healthy and there are no active engine warnings.
- Salt-belt rust Check the subframe, the fuel filler neck, and the rear suspension on any car that has lived where roads are salted.
What would make you walk
- Coolant getting into a cylinder On any EcoBoost, a steam-cleaned white spark plug, coolant vanishing with no external leak, or a history of overheating.
- An incomplete fire recall A 1.6L EcoBoost whose fire-risk recall work has not been completed.
- Overheating history Any turbo car with a record of running hot.