Ford Escape Won’t Start (Causes & Solutions)

It can be of concern when your Ford Escape won’t start. Apart from the fact that you would not get to your location, it also means expensive repair costs.

What can be the reason a Ford Escape won’t start? While it is hard to know exactly the reason, we have explored and come to some suggestions why the Ford Escape won’t start.

If your Ford Escape won’t start, there are two scenarios you might encounter. The most popular one is if it will not turn over.

This simply means the engine does not move if you turn your key. The other reason is when your engine won’t run and fire by itself when you activate the starter. We will discuss both scenarios, what caused them and how to fix them below.

Also Read: Radio Works but Car Won’t Start (Causes & Solutions)

Ford Escape Won’t Start: Not Cranking

There could be several reasons why the Ford Escape will not start. Yet, if it is cranking and won’t start, there are more things to troubleshoot. These are some of the popular problems that lead to the cranking of vehicles.

1. Corroded Battery Cables

When your Ford Escape won’t start, the problem might not be your battery cables. However, it’s easy to analyze. You can check where the cables are connected at the battery poles. If you find white or green corrosion all over it, when you clean them, you might be able to start driving again.

If you are interested in how to clean up your battery terminal appropriately, here’s an article you can check.

2. Battery Charge

The Ford Escape won’t start if there’s not enough charge on your battery to switch the starter on. As the battery ages, the cranking amps reduce, leaving you with a reduced ability to start your vehicle.

Whenever this occurs, most times, you will hear your vehicle cranking slowly but still won’t start.

If possible, take the battery to Wal-Mart or any auto parts store to have it tried out and see if the battery is carrying a charge.

• Dead battery– If the battery is dead, yet the charges back up and it tests okay, either test the alternator or examine the terminals of the battery to know if the battery is charging properly.
• Battery Charged– When the battery is properly charged, you must check the cables of the battery to see if there’s any problem with corrosion. If not, you’ll have to check the starter.

3. Defective Alternator

A defective Alternator can also be the reason why your Ford Escape won’t start. If your battery can’t maintain sufficient power output, this can put a strain on the engine as it tries to start and run. In some situations, the engine might stall out due to this.

This depends on how serious the problem is. If your battery is good and your  Ford Escape won’t start, you might have a bad alternator.

4. The Dead Key Fob (Newer Models)

A dead Key Fob could be another reason your Ford Escape won’t start. The key fobs have a little round battery that can be bought at any hardware store. Replace that and see if the car will start.

Additionally, if there’s no sufficient juice produced by the battery or alternator in your battery, this can lead to the key Fob not acquiring the signal from the beginning. This is one reason it’s important you ensure the key Fob is fully charged and that you connect the wires properly.

5. Bad Starter

The starter is the next part to examine if your Ford Escape won’t start. You can’t start your car if the starter is not working ( unless it is manual, where you can just push start the vehicle).

If you have confirmed that the culprit is a charged battery with no corroded cable, then you can now decide if you’ll have to get a new one.

The starter normally gives a signal first before it goes bad. In addition, for instance, if you are stranded in a place and you want to start the Ford, beat the old starter using a hammer trick. You can get the last start from it. Learn more about this here.

Ford Escape Won’t Start: Engine Cranks but Won’t Start

Your Ford Escape won’t start but crank due to a lot of problems. The engine requires spark, fuel, and air to work effectively.

There’s a high possibility that if your engine cranks and it’s not starting could be that it has thrown an OBD2 code. So it would be good to use the OBD2 scanner to see if your engine has thrown fault codes.

There may be fault codes if the Ford Escape won’t start. The codes will tell you the information your computer is trying to tell you about the engine’s problem.

Googling these codes generally or searching for them on this site would direct you to a thorough code diagnosis. And if all goes well, the engine will start as soon as you fix the problem.

Here are some causes of a Ford Escape engine that cranks but won’t start

1. Clogged Fuel Filter

A clogged fuel filter is another reason why your Ford Escape won’t start. When the filter is full of dirt, it might reduce the flow of gas, which will lead to the engine not starting or cause the engine to stall.

If you notice your filter is clogged, one easy method to confirm is to loosen the hood of the car and inspect if you have any visible gravel or dirt inside.

To get your Ford Escape running again if you find the filter dirty, you could try to replace it.

2. Bad Fuel Pump

Another reason the Ford Escape won’t start is a damaged fuel pump. When the fuel pump is not working or faulty, it might not be able to generate sufficient pressure for the flowing of gas in the system so that your car can be working.

Low-quality gas can also lead to problems since debris and dirt from this gas could get clogged on the fuel filter and stop or damage the fuel pump.

In this situation, ensure the connections are okay and that there’s no debris or dirt in your tubing or fuel pump before starting your car.

3. Fuel Line Leak

The Ford Escape won’t start if there’s gas leakage. When the fuel line has cracks, gas can leak out, which can lead to severe issues if you want to start your engine since there’s a mixture of air and gas.

This might cause fire or an explosion inside the engine container. So, before starting your engine, ensure that there’s no visible indication of gas leaks.

4. Ignition Problems

Ignition faults are one major problem that causes vehicles not to start but crank. The engine would not start if there was no spark. You will likely have a misfire of related codes like P0301, P0300, etc.

This can be caused by several things, which include computer issues, defective plug wires, faulty coil packs, faulty spark plugs, and many more.

5. Engine Timing Problems

Timing is simply the ability of your engine to release the spark plug at the proper time. A Ford Escape won’t start if something happens that’ll let the camshaft not be in synchronization with your crankshaft or when the plug starts firing at the wrong time.

Usually, though not always, there are OBD2 codes related to the timing problems. One camshaft position code is P30013. Your crankshaft sensor could go bad also. It’ll be impossible to start the Ford Escape if the sensor goes bad.

6. Security

Several vehicles nowadays come with a smart key that has built-in electronic protection. It makes it difficult to get stolen by thieves. There are instances whereby the security system will not allow the vehicle to start. There will be a security warning whenever you try to crank the engine.

Also Read: How to Bypass Ford PATS System Without Key (Expert Guide)

7. Bad Spark Plugs

Finally, the last reason a Ford won’t start is due to faulty spark plugs. The spark plugs create sparks the engine needs to engage and run as smoothly as possible. If the spark plugs are damaged or old, they might not generate enough spark that the engine needs.

So, it is important to examine the spark plug conditions on a regular basis and, if need be, change them so that your car can engage properly.

How Do I Start Ford Escape Manually?

You can start the car if your key Fob is bad or dead in the Ford Escape. Just place your key fob near the push start switch and place your foot on your brake.

After which, you press the start switch, and the car will start. You have to get the key Fob very close to your push start to get signals to your vehicle. If Push-Button Start Fails to work, What happens?

If the button doesn’t work, then you have to tow your vehicle for diagnostics in a service center.

Probably, the starter parts have a problem. For instance, if the starter relay or solenoid is bad, there is nothing you will be able to do for your car to get started.

What Are the Most Popular Problems Associated With the Ford Escape?

The Ford Escape has been available for years now, so consumers have reported many problems. The most common ones include general engine, transmission, and ignition Problems.

Remember that it also depends on the year of your Ford Escape. For instance, the 2017 Escape gets several reports for engine and brake problems. So if you want to get a fairly used Ford Escape, you can avoid getting the 2017 Escape models.

Regardless, you must check the carfax whenever you shop for fairly used cars. It would give you a reasonable understanding of the history of your vehicle. You will be able to see the previous owners of these vehicles and if it has any damage or if the car had been in an accident. It would also let you know if the upkeep has been carried out regularly and how many people have owned the vehicle.

Have There Been Any Recalls on Ford Escape?

One recent recall was for the 2021 model related to the fuel pump. The fuel pump drive/control module doesn’t operate as it should.

The drive/control module assists the fuel pump in functioning properly. The module ensures that the fuel pump has adequate power to make the cargo. You can not start the Ford if the fuel pump doesn’t have enough power.

Additionally, the fuel pump can have leaks which could make the Ford Escape assist. Contact the dealers to fix the issue when you’re having these problems.

Also Read: How Do I Know if My Ford Has Remote Start?

Frequently Asked Questions –  Ford Escape Won’t Start

Conclusion – Ford Escape Won’t Start

In summary, though the Ford Escape vehicle is a decent car, anything can happen as time goes on. For instance, if the car won’t start, then begin with the easy things you can control. This includes inspecting the battery to see if it needs replacement or if it’s dead. You might also need professional help if these are not the issue.