RoadVitals

2013 Ford Escape Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Dec 11, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 2,743 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the headlights turned off independently. The contact was able to manually turn on and turn off the headlights to see the roadway. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact was using the high beam headlights instead of the low beam headlights. The contact stated that while switching from high to low beam the headlights shut off. The contact stated that the headlights flickered before shutting off. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID
11630046
Incident
May 10, 2024
Mileage
138,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 6, 2021

I HAVE A FORD 2013 ESCAPE. IT FIRST STATRED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING. I HAD TO REPLACE 4 IN THE PASS 2 YEARS. NOW THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP SAYING FAULTY. THE BULB POPS OUT . I HAVE TO PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE. THEN ITS OUT AGAIN. NOW THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS FAULTY . PLUS THE TRANS MISSON IS FAULTY OR EVERYTIME I SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE IT CUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PUT IT TO NEUTRAL AND THEN IT MOVES. WHEN I GET TO THE SPEED 50 OR 60MPH THECAR TREMBLES. IM AFRAID THAT I MAY WRECK.

NHTSA ID
11386819
Incident
Jan 5, 2021
Mileage
140,234 mi
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Oct 3, 2020

BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING MAKING IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP SAID BOTH MOTORS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. AUTOMATIC LIGHTS JUST STARTED GOING ON RANDOMLY IN THE DAYLIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ILLUMINATED WHEN NOT BRAKING. BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER SUDDENLY DOES OFF WHEN IT'S NOT TURNED ON. IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT THIS CAR IS WORTH ON REPAIR! WHAT A LEMON!

NHTSA ID
11362572
Incident
Oct 3, 2020
Mileage
72,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 11, 2020

THE CAR KEEPS FLASHING ERROR CODES AND NOTHING ELECTRICAL WILL WORK. THIS INCLUDES AIR AND INSIDE DASH LIGHTS SPEED CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328407
Incident
Jun 11, 2020
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Sep 11, 2018

DISPLAY WILL READ ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW AND THEN THE CAR WILL SEEM LIKE IT RESTARTS, IT WILL NEXT READ TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK, THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I'M DRIVING 75 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS RECALLED, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11128832
Incident
Sep 7, 2018
Mileage
102,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 8, 2018

HID HEADLAMP SHUTTERS STICK IN HIGH BEAM POSITION IN COLD WEATHER. FORD ONLY SELLS COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, AS THE SOLENOID THAT CONTROLS THE SHUTTER IS SEALED INSIDE THE HOUSING AND NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DESIGN DROPS THE SHUTTER WHEN THE SOLENOID IS ACTIVATED FOR HIGH BEAMS AND THE RETURN SPRING(?) IS APPARENTLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO COUNTERACT GRAVITY AND GET THE SHUTTER BACK TO THE RAISED LOW BEAM POSITION FOR PROPER LIGHT CUTOFF. THE RESULT IS THAT HIGH BEAMS STAY ON AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. FORD HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE ISSUE AND EXPECTS THE CUSTOMER TO COUGH UP $1300 LIST PRICE PLUS LABOR PER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11076946
Incident
Jan 28, 2018
Mileage
42,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 20, 2016

MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE'S INFORMATION DISPLAY WITH ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION AND ODOMETER READING HAS GONE BLANK ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. I ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE TO FORD AND THE FORD DEALER, BUT THEY DON'T CARE TO HELP ME AND ASKING ME TO PAY TOO MUCH AMOUNT TO REPLACE IT. HOW CAN I PAY TOO MUCH AMOUNT FOR REPLACING THIS IF ITS THERE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I KNOW AS PER FEDERAL LAW THIS IS MUST AND THE SCREEN CANNOT HAPPEN ON THIS CASE TO ANY VEHICLE. ITS DEFINITELY A MUCH NEEDED THING AND ITS NOT A FAULT FROM THE USER. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR INFORMATION CLUSTER. WHEN I SEARCHED , I FOUND MANY RECALLS (15C03 RECALL) WHICH THEY SAID MY CAR CANNOT BE INCLUDED SINCE IT IS 2013 MODEL. PLEASE HELP ME. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM SCHEDULED BY COLONIAL FORD, DANBURY ON 6/27/16 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE END UP PAYING TOO MUCH MONEY. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS COMPLAINT AND PLEASE TAKE ACTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10875295
Incident
Jun 17, 2016
Mileage
82,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 19, 2016

AFTER STARTING MY 2013 FORD ESCAPE, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INFORMATION DISPLAY WITH SYSTEM WARNINGS AND ONLY ODOMETER DISPLAY WENT BLANK. TECHNICIANS CHECKED FOR A BAD FUSE, BUT NONE FOUND. ALSO, FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL (15C03 - REPROGRAM INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER) ISSUED AGAINST 2014 FORD ESCAPE FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10875139
Incident
Jun 17, 2016
Mileage
82,600 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2015

VEHICLE INFO CENTRE INDICATED A BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. ALL 3 BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. PERSONALLY CHECKED FUSE WHICH WAS NOT BLOWN AND CONTACTED SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FORT MYERS FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT. WAS TOLD ONLY A BULB WAS BURNT & THAT ALL BULBS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL BECAUSE OF "XMAS TREE EFFECT". I FIND IT UNSAFE FOR A VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL BRAKE-LIGHT FUNCTIONALITY BECAUSE 1 BULB IN THE CIRCUIT EXPIRES. THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT; WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A FACTUAL SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692062
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
35,610 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 1, 2015

THE CAR HAS HID HEADLIGHTS. THESE LIGHTS USE A "SHUTTER" TO CUT OFF THE LIGHT ON "LOW BEAM". THE "SHUTTER" IS STUCK AND DOES NOT RAISE TO OBSCURE THE LAMP IN "LOW BEAM" LEAVING THE LAMP ON "HIGH BEAM" WHENEVER THE HEADLAMPS ARE ON. OUR ESCAPE HAS THIS PROBLEM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE RESULTING IN MANY FLASHES FROM ONCOMING DRIVERS. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT IMPAIRS THE VISION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. FORD WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR IT IF IT FALLS IN THE 3 YR. 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE FOUND INCIDENTS ON THE INTERNET GOING CLEAR BACK TO 2005 ON FORD FOCUS CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680408
Incident
Jan 16, 2015
Mileage
42,400 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 5, 2014

MY VEHICLE'S REAR RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED AT NIGHT. THE CAR HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT CONTROLS, AND EVEN AFTER CYCLING THE LIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES (OFF-PARKING-ON-AUTO), I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RUNNING LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. THE ISSUE CLEARED UP AFTER LEAVING THE CAR PARKED OVERNIGHT, HOWEVER THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. BOTH BULBS CHECKED OUT FINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567393
Incident
Mar 4, 2014
Mileage
19,600 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 27, 2014

THE LEFT LIGHT WENT OUT. WENT TO DEALER TO GET THE LIGHT BULB CHANGED. AFTER AN HOUR, THEY UPDATED ME THAT "SOME" ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED AND THAT IT COULD TAKE "HOURS" TO FIX. IT FOR SURE IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW I AM SKEPTICAL TO DRIVE THIS CAR. AND THIS CAR IS NEW, AND UNDER 3 MONTHS OLD WITH ABOUT 3500 MILES. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FRIDAY EVENING. TOOK TO DEALER ON SATURDAY MORNING. WAS TOLD THEY WERE OUT OF BULB, AND TO WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY. TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO GET THE NEEDED PART (BULB) BY MONDAY. TOOK TO THEM ON MONDAY. THEY PUT IN THE BULB. THEN REALIZED POWER WASN'T REACHING THE BULB POINT. SO HAD ME GET IT BACK IN ON TUESDAY. CHECKED ON TUESDAY, TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) THAT WAS OUT. SO HAD TO WAIT ANOTHER WHILE THEY GOT THE PART. FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE DELIVERED ON WEDNESDAY EVENING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561729
Incident
Jan 10, 2014
Mileage
3,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING THE NIGHT, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AUTOMATICALLY HOWEVER, THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE UNLESS ACTIVATED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22.

NHTSA ID
10488659
Incident
Dec 3, 2012
Mileage
22 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Aug 16, 2012

WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO GO ON FOR A FLAT TIRE. LIGHT WENT ON WHEN TIRE WAS REMOVED. AFTER TEMPORARY TIRE WAS PUT ON 3 DIFFERENT LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471204
Incident
Aug 15, 2012

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .