2013-2019 Ford Escape Guide: The Third Generation

This site is still built around our own 2017 Escape, Alice. But the 2017 is part of a much larger family. Ford introduced the third-generation Escape for the 2013 model year, and that generation continued through 2019. Quite a few recalls, parts and owner problems cross more than one of those years.

That does not mean every 2013-2019 Escape is the same. The engines changed, the 2017 model brought a major refresh, equipment changed by trim, and some Ford bulletins cover only a narrow group of years or engines. I would use the generation as a starting point, then verify the exact model year, engine, drivetrain and VIN.

2013 through 2019: one generation, two main groups

Ford's own 2020 Escape launch material describes the 2013 model as the start of the third generation. Ford also introduced a heavily updated Escape for 2017 with a redesigned interior and exterior, new 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines, available SYNC Connect and more driver-assistance features.

What changed for the 2017 refresh?

The 2017 refresh is one reason I do not automatically use a 2013 or 2014 video when working on Alice. Ford changed more than the front grille. The 2017 North American engine choices became the 2.5L four-cylinder, 1.5L EcoBoost and 2.0L EcoBoost. The refreshed model also brought newer technology and revised interior controls.

For an owner, that means broad claims such as “fits 2013-2019 Escape” need a second look. A body clip or simple hardware item may fit the whole generation. A fuse assignment, engine part, lighting component or service procedure may not.

Problems that really do cross several third-generation years

Some issues have solid Ford or NHTSA documentation across more than one model year. These are the ones I am comfortable grouping together:

• Shifter-cable bushing recall: Ford recall 22S43 / NHTSA 22V-413 covers 2013-2019 Escape. The bushing at the transmission can degrade or detach, so the shifter position may not match the transmission's actual gear.
• Side-door latch recall: Ford recall 16S30 covers certain 2013-2015 Escapes. A latch pawl spring tab can break, making a door difficult to latch and creating a risk that it could open while driving.
• 2014 1.6L cooling/fire recall: Ford recall 17S09 includes certain 2014 Escapes with the 1.6L GTDI engine. Ford said poor coolant circulation could lead to overheating, a cracked cylinder head and an oil leak onto hot engine surfaces.
• 1.5L coolant intrusion: Ford customer programs and service information cover certain 2017-2019 Escapes with the 1.5L GTDI engine.
• 2.0L coolant intrusion: Ford TSB 19-2346 covers certain 2017-2019 Escapes with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and symptoms such as low coolant, white exhaust smoke or rough running.

Those ranges are not interchangeable. For example, the 2017-2019 coolant-intrusion information should not be copied onto a 2014 Escape page just because both vehicles belong to the same generation.

The shifter-cable recall is the clearest full-generation overlap

Ford's later 22S43 recall is unusual because its Escape range covers the entire third generation: 2013 through 2019. The concern is the small bushing that connects the shifter cable to the transmission. If that bushing is damaged or missing, selecting Park, Reverse or Drive at the shifter may not put the transmission in the intended gear.

This is separate from an internal transmission failure or torque-converter shudder. I made a dedicated 2013-2019 Escape shifter-cable-bushing recall guide because the symptoms and repair campaign deserve their own explanation.

Coolant problems changed across the generation

“Ford Escape coolant problem” can mean very different things depending on the year and engine. A certain 2014 1.6L Escape can fall under the 17S09 overheating/fire recall. A 2017-2019 1.5L or 2.0L Escape may instead match Ford's later coolant-intrusion service information.

If you have a 2017, 2018 or 2019 EcoBoost Escape and are losing coolant, the coolant-intrusion guide explains the Ford documents and symptoms. If you own an earlier third-generation Escape, use the exact year and engine when checking recalls or service information.

Transmission information also needs the exact symptom

Many third-generation Escapes use the 6F35 automatic transmission, but that still does not make every transmission complaint the same. A disconnected shifter cable can create a gear-selection problem while the transmission itself is still mechanically capable of operating. Shudder, delayed engagement, slipping and loss of movement point in different directions.

For our 2017-focused coverage, start with the transmission problems guide, shudder guide or failure-signs guide.

Before using a part or repair guide from another year

I would check these details first:

• model year;
• engine size and engine family;
• FWD or AWD;
• S, SE or Titanium trim where relevant;
• wheel and tire size;
• lighting type and option package;
• build date when Ford documentation gives a production cutoff;
• VIN-specific recall status.

That extra check can save a lot of frustration. The Escape may look almost identical on the outside while a connector, module, belt path or fuse assignment has changed.

Shopping for a used 2013-2019 Escape

I would not choose a third-generation Escape on model year alone. Condition and service history count for a lot. I would also identify the engine, check the VIN for open recalls, look for unexplained coolant loss, pay attention to transmission behavior and test all electrical features before buying.

The new 2013-2019 Escape problems-by-year guide shows which concerns belong to which years. If you are specifically shopping for a 2017, our 2017 Escape buyer's checklist goes deeper into Alice's model year.

Keeping 2017 at the center of the site

Alice is a 2017 Escape SE with the 1.5L EcoBoost, so that is the vehicle I can speak about from actual ownership. I would rather keep that clear than make every page sound as though I personally own all seven model years.

The cross-year section is here because Ford's own documentation often connects nearby Escape years. When the evidence supports that connection, I will point it out. When a problem is limited to one engine or a smaller year range, I will say that too.

Read next

• 2013-2019 Ford Escape problems by year
• 2013-2019 Escape shifter-cable-bushing recall
• Where the 2017 fits in Escape history
• 2017 Ford Escape common problems
• 2017 Ford Escape recalls