2013 Ford Escape: Transmission & Engine Problems, Recalls, and Replacement Parts

The 2013 Ford Escape marked the launch of a completely redesigned generation — and with a new generation came a new set of growing pains. As the first model year of this body style, the 2013 Escape was the proving ground for the 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission and the turbocharged 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Both quickly developed reputations for serious, well-documented failures that affected owners across the country.

If you own a 2013 Ford Escape and have been dealing with shuddering, overheating, or strange shifting behavior, you are not alone. These are not isolated incidents — they are systemic issues confirmed by recall notices, technical service bulletins (TSBs), and thousands of owner complaints. Understanding exactly what is failing and why gives you the information you need to make the right repair decision.

At expediaparts.com, we want to get you back on the road as quickly and affordably as possible. Whether you are looking at a used or remanufactured transmission or engine, this guide walks you through the known failure points, safety recalls, and realistic price ranges so you can move forward with confidence.

The 6F35 six-speed automatic and the 1.6L EcoBoost engine were both introduced in force with this generation. Being the first model year means this Escape bore the brunt of early production variance — a pattern that tends to produce higher-than-average failure rates. A thorough breakdown of 6F35 transmission behavior across multiple Ford model years is documented by Big Ben's Cars & Cycles on YouTube, confirming that the 2013 Escape sits at the front of a failure family that extends across 2013–2019 model years. Additional common-issue context is available from DriveSmart Auto's Ford Escape guide.