In-car Electronics
CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.
What Owners Say
"We had a problem with our back-up camera. For a while, it worked on ly intermittently - then it went out completely. We had to pay $800 for a new camera unit. We do not use this vehicle for off-road or bumpy driving - other that should have effected the quality and reliability of the camera."
Anonymous, CA (2013 Ford Escape 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Camera and cross traffic sensors are very sensitive. System called for service last week. Service light went out before my service appointment so dealership agreed that appointment should be postponed until next problem"
Anonymous, MA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium)"The camera doesn't reliably connect with the MyFord touchscreen. It's hit or miss and at times the picture flashes and goes in and out. Dealership has been unable to correct problem"
Michael S., SC (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Easily triggered. Go off when pulling though drive through windows to point I have to put in neutral or park. Get "Stuck" sounding with snow ice dirt while car moving"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Escape Titanium)"The safety sensor system module - blind spot indicator & cross traffic had to be replaced. Cost $1200. Only covered because I had purchased extended warranty"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Parking sensors will activate without any objects in field. They are set off by rain, ice, and snow. The system has been reset several times"
Anonymous, MA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The BLIS system signals the presence of other non existing vehicles in extremely cold weather"
Anonymous, CO (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"warning light did not come on for low pressure in a tire until it was almost flat"
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"distorted picture. Ford fixed under warranty"
Anonymous, VA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Back up camera lost guidelines"
Bruce C., ON (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The camera would just stop working while backing up, for no reason at all. This happens intermittently and still happens today"
Anonymous, TX (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Backup camera stop working and had picture upside down. Intermittent issue, but dealer says it can't be fixed, only replaced at high cost."
Anonymous, (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"During a trip mid-summer when temperatures was around 100 degrees, CD player stopped functioning and CD could not be removed"
Anonymous, CO (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Cuts out unexpectedly. Playing a CD and then goes silent. Shutting it off and starting it up sometimes do nothing. Took it in to Ford and they found no wiring issues. (figures). Happens rarely but it DOES happen!"
Tori P., MN (2013 Ford Escape S 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"no visibility in dark/has to replace entire display unit which Ford called 'the motherboard'"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"after a blue tooth phone conversation -- at hang up the screen would freeze for extended periods of time. Dealership had to update the programming of software to fix"
Anonymous, TX (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"navigation locks up at times, and stops reading out the vehicles progress"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Display freezes up. Very difficult to input GPS map directions"
Bill C., BC (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"stupid computer, could not change stations, and would freeze, they updated to 2014 radio, no problems since"
Carol M., NY (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"System is unresponsive for about 1 minute at times"
Anonymous, BC (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Frequent messages about alleged software update cause temporary loss of audio and climate controls."
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"We took the car in for 4 safety recalls, 3 were performed by the dealer we bought the car from and now the screen loses power all the time, goes blank, then goes thru the motion of performing "scheduled performance maintenance" but it continues. It w"
Bryan H., IL (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"display goes blank or freezes"
Anonymous, NY (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The SYNC system kept trying to re-boot"
William H., CA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Screen went blank several times, including while driving. Takes a few minutes to reboot"
Anonymous, CT (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Screen sometimes goes blank when car first starts, then runs a system check when screen comes back on"
Anonymous, NJ (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The car has the GPS, radio, climate control, back up camera, Bluetooth all on one screen center console. This one screen would shut down and not come back on you could not use any of the items associated with the screen. car was down for over 5 weeks"
Kellie C., PA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"From time to time the screen goes blank. There often is a message saying it is undergoing maintenance."
Bruce L., MI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"entire Sync system went down with a blank screen, Purchased new in-dash unit, then Ford mechanic found out it was fgulty APIM (computer interface)"
Anonymous, SC (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"instrument cluster led screen went bad and could not read"
R M., IN (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"System "updates" two or three time a day."
Anonymous, GA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Problem started 5 months ago. Display screen goes blank, "freezes" then comes back on and some settings need to be redone, including radio stations, fuel mpg info, etc."
Anonymous, ME (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Occasionally, the backup camera did not work but, after a few weeks, it seems to be okay now."
Anonymous, OH (2013 Ford Escape Titanium Unsure)"USB connected to late model Apple iPod Nano. Although sound system turned off at last use of car, it will often come blaring out when the car is started next. In the past, it would not play at all, although that has been repaired by dealer"
Sharon K., MI (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Sometimes, the entire entertainment system (radio, CD, MP3, iPhone Bluetooth) just does not work. The only way to fix this is to turn the car off, get out of the car, lock it and walk away. When you come back to the car, hopefully, the system works again. If not, repeat all the steps above until it does work"
Anonymous, VA (2013 Ford Escape S 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The 12V battery in this car takes an hour to replace, even if you know what you're doing. You have to remove the entire air intake assembly to get to it. I've done it twice. I wouldn't buy this car again just for that reason."
Anonymous, FL (2013 Ford Escape Unsure 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Slow to initiate. Did map updates but info still missing. A glitch in going from one list to another via voice command."
Terry K., CA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The navigation system often is unable to determine the vehicle's position. It's not a map problem. The nav system simply places the vehicle as much as a mile from its true position. The Ford dealer has not improved the problem."
Terry M., TX (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Again complex and difficult to use..Instructions require too much "interpretation""
Anonymous, MN (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The system at times does not know where my car is. Also wrong direction"
Anonymous, MA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Not intuitive. Takes multiple entries to get the directions I want"
Anonymous, CO (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"GPS often does not recognize voice commands. Manual entry of addresses is difficult and does not follow a logical sequence"
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"we were traveling to Chicago and were in a bad part of Gary Indiana and our system would not work...we had to call dealer and they did a remote download once we finally made it to Chicago...bad system"
Anonymous, OH (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Could not track my location accurately"
Jan-Cheryl B., IL (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE AND NO SERVICE SOLUTION AVAILABLE FROM DEALER"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"inaccurate positioning"
Thomas S., WI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Software froze at 10,000 miles. Took 1 week for dealer to fix and reinstall software. Now, will not keep preferences or previous destinations"
Ronald T., MD (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The navigation system would not accept either touch or voice commands. We had this repaired. Even when the voice system works. It does not work well. It tries to guess to much. It would be much better if you could just say state city street and no"
Anonymous, UT (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Car takes a LOOOOOONG time to acquire a satellite. Not uncommon to have to drive 20 min before the GPS witha red X through it disappears. Other times it has refused to accept a stored destination like HOME giving an error message, it's been to dealer"
J C., ON (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"can't find route, does not always take commands"
Anonymous, NY (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Lost GPS link to navigation software and display; GPS module replaced"
Anonymous, FL (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"very difficult to use and does not navigate well when it is finally programmed"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Failed multiple times with non-sensical location, finally replaced interface module after multiple repair visits"
Bishop K., VA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The GPS would not sync with the actual road"
William H., CA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Charts the car route over lakes ponds and sometimes streams"
Anonymous, ME (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Inaccuracy of the mapping system in Canadian cities"
Anonymous, MB (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"On several occasions, the navigation system crashed (stopped working). Very disconcerting while driving in dense traffic in Washington DC"
Anonymous, CT (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Had some warranty work done in other areas of car. Since then, we have no navigation, all sound actually disappeared one day for hours - then returned. Once recently, without any touching or prompting, the monthly calendar popped up on screen"
Paul S., OH (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Consistently south of my actual location by about 50M"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Nav system sometimes takes as long as 20-30 minutes to acquire a satellite signal. It is useless until it does"
Sharon K., MI (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The GPS often deviates from its true position. Therefore, it often cannot give navigation instructors. For example, it may spend all its effort to get me from a side street onto the interstate when it already is on the interstate. My dealer has a technician that calibrates the system, which does no good."
Terry M., TX (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"inaccurate, if this GPS would have been on my boat I would have run aground frequently."
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"GPS exhibited slow, none, faulty operation with most recent map (SD Card) installed, but not with older version. Became unusable, but only after it was driven for more than the usual dealer test drive. Great dealer experience in that they took my word for failures, but tried several fixes including part replacements that didn't work. Finally fixed by replacing GPS module. No problem since. Took several visits over two months, but was given loaner car each time."
Alfred P., WV (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Tough to decide which of the problems is most frustrating because many appear to be interrelated. The navigation system, however has been a constant problem virtually since we bought the vehicle and is especially stupid since I can use my Android smartphone to get EXACTLY what I wanted from the Ford Navigation system virtually every time almost instantly. It is unbelievable that a major car company could screw up something so badly that had been so readily accessible fro a hand-held Android device. The voice control system on the vehicle frequently does not recognize what I am looking for yet at the same voice volume, inside the vehicle, at the same speed, on the same highway is easily understood and acted upon by the Samsung smartphone. In addition, the on-board system sometimes shows my location several miles from the road showing on the screen's map. More recently (in the past 2-3 years) when the outside temperature is cool <60 degrees F the screen goes blank and the navigation system (as well as the backup camera and touch controls for radio/climate control, etc.) are unavailable. Also, the cruise control intermittently and for no apparent reason stops working for months at a time, then suddenly starts working again. Initially I brought the vehicle in to several different dealers in several different states and no technician ever came close to resolving anything. At least once a factory rep was consulted to no avail. I was formerly a Ford Motor Company employee (Ford Tractor) and was appalled at the exceedingly poor design and support from the company."
Anonymous, (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The quality of the mocrophone while using Hands Free is horrible. The remote party cannot clearly hear anything I say while on hands free."
Edward A., MA (2013 Ford Escape)"Phone will not connect, unless battery is removed from the cell phone for at least 30 seconds"
Anonymous, CO (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"On a few occasions, my phone would not sync for operation"
Tonja N., MI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Phone pairing "fix" was installed. But still needs to be rebooted"
Anonymous, PA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The Bluetooth does not like the pitch of my voice and therefore it might as well not be there, it's more trouble than it's worth"
Carol H., KS (2013 Ford Escape S 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"It just seems to work when it wants to work. We have asked and/or updated the system twice and it continues to be intermittent. Very unsafe"
Stephen H., TX (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Sometimes it took awhile to connect or didn't connect. Difficult for the person I called to hear or understand me - voice sounded garbled and like the connection was breaking up"
Anonymous, NJ (2013 Ford Escape SE)"Cannot get it to accept my sim number - wants to connect to 911. Not sure if phone problem or sync from transferring phone number over to new phone"
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Sometimes works , sometimes not. Intermittent. Couldn't pair my new phone fir weeks, until finally was able to delete my first phone"
Toby K., MN (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Phone does not always sync"
Anonymous, RI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"After several Ford upgrades the need to reset all phone functions address book - redial feature - etc"
Anonymous, ME (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I have reset it often"
Peter M., OH (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"only problem that I have had is my cell phone does not always work, solution was to have dealer update the system"
Anonymous, UT (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Until the car was recalled in 2014, it kicked off the Bluetooth pairing often. When it did it was VERY difficult to get it back synced, phone with car. After the recall I have had no trouble"
Anonymous, GA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"drops phone and have to reconnect periodically"
Anonymous, GA (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Very difficult to set up a cell phone with the bluetooth. A PIN is flashed on the screen and you are required to write it down in case you change to a new cell phone. I was not able to write down the PIN number and cannot use my new cell phone with"
Troy P., GA (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Incoming calls can not be heard by caller"
Anonymous, DE (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"caused by a chip failure in the sync system"
Anonymous, (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The radio works intermittently."
Jefferson K., CA (2013 Ford Escape 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Again, it works when it wants. I love the technology, but it should have all the bugs worked out before releasing it in the vehicle"
Stephen H., TX (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The radio would turn on, but wouldn't receive a connection and wouldn't play (Sirius radio)"
Anonymous, NJ (2013 Ford Escape SE)"Occasionally the radio will just stop working.....but will come back on after 3-6 engine shutdowns/restarts"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Frequently when I turn off the engine, the radio does not turn off. I have returned to the car several minutes (10-15) later to find the radio still on. Although it doesn't happen every time, I've now begun turning off the radio before the engine"
Anonymous, OH (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Radio sound does not always work. Radio occasionally turns off"
Anonymous, RI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Radio cuts out unexpectedly. So does the CD player. Even with shutting it off and starting it up again, sometimes does not solve the problem. Ford found no issues(figures). Happens rarely, but shouldn't happen at all as far as I am concerned"
Tori P., MN (2013 Ford Escape S 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"it will not work"
Peter M., OH (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Would just not turn on"
Philip F., SC (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Radio will blank out at times, with just the time showing. Radio/CD/Aux won't work for a random period. Normally it will come back on after a short drive and the car is restarted. Ford replaced radio, but it has continued to happen randomly, not enough to be a serious issue though (for some reason it happens more on Sunday AM, so I miss the church music. I can live with that...lol)"
Anonymous, VA (2013 Ford Escape S 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Second time in one year the satellite/am/fm tuner died. Was a warped wire. $300 repair"
Joseph D., GA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Difficult to change stations,especially AM-FM. Can be 2-3 step process. Long reach makes it dangerous hole driving"
Melvin D., WI (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Radio volume control on dash doesn't work, while steering wheel volume still does. Last 2 times I've been to dealer, they didn't have anyone who could fix it."
Anonymous, FL (2013 Ford Escape Unsure 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"The system is garbage. Out of date and not supported anymore."
Anonymous, IL (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"recall/update done by dealer caused the SYNC system to fail, except the radio. Took two return trips to get fixed, except the backup camera still out."
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Sadly, they are frequently difficult to implement, and sometimes must be completed by the dealership."
Anonymous, WA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Had nothing but problems with the SYC. system since we got the vehicle. Microsoft gave up trying to fix the problems, so we paid for nothing!"
Anonymous, CA (2013 Ford Escape S 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"This navigation system is useless. I have gone to using my phone for this service. It also malfunctions when accepting voice commands for the communication module (making phone calls)"
Anonymous, CA (2013 Ford Escape 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"system does not always work...i have to repeat myself and even then I will get a list of names to choose from...they don't even rhyme. since most of my calls are to same people one would figure it would realize a short list"
Anonymous, OH (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"When you ask it a command it goes to something else 75% of the time. You ask to call someone and it changes radio station. Climate Settings and it calls someone. I was told the cabin noise was too loud. They have replaced components twice and it is"
Anonymous, TX (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"VERY LOUD CLEAR VOICE REQUIRED AND NO MANUAL DATA ENTRY ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE THAT IS USER FRIENDLY"
Anonymous, ON (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Numerous times the voice command operation did not recognize the voice commands asked of it. Brought into dealer for repair several times, never fixed to my satisfaction"
Tonja N., MI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"computer doesn't always understand my voice , thus giving different location or number that I have voiced"
Anonymous, MI (2013 Ford Escape SEL 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"voice commands not always understood especially using GPS"
J S., ON (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Very difficult to understand, continually repeating meaningless questions"
Toby K., MN (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"would not understand commands. have to repeat several times"
Brian M., NY (2013 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Almost impossible to get commands to be understood"
Anonymous, NY (2013 Ford Escape SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Voice recognition on SYNC only works on about 10% of the contacts from my phone"
Jacquelyn M., IL (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"blue tooth calling out...phone will ring once and disconnect. Navigation commands don't always find destination"
Anonymous, PA (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Sometimes the voice command button is just completely dead and won't work (along with none of the other options). I can only listen to the radio. Then you restart the vehicle again and it works fine"
Gary H., NE (2013 Ford Escape SE 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)
"Quit working"
Steven S., IL (2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)