Ford Escape sunroof care

Vehicle guide

Ford Escape sunroof care

On the Escape a clogged drain wets the headliner and the front footwell. The frequent confuser here is the A/C condensate drain, so check whether the water tracks rain or air-conditioning use.

3rd gen 2013-2019
White Ford Escape, 3rd generation (2013-2019), with a panoramic sunroof
Ford Escape, 3rd gen (2013-2019).

Clogged drains

The front drain tubes run down the A-pillars toward the firewall and clog more often than the rears. Owners reach the front hose by dropping the A-pillar trim or pulling the door weatherstrip. Clear gently from the top with a soft brush and confirm with a water flush.

Sunroof Drain Cleaning Tool
Sunroof Drain Cleaning Tool (10 ft)Soft and flexible, sized for the drain tubes.
View tool
! No compressed air or wire

Escape owners specifically report that too much force detaches the drain tubes. Soft brush and water.

When it is not the sunroof

  • A/C condensate drain and the cowl drain are the big confusers, both wetting the front footwell.
  • Ford acknowledges roof-area leaks generally in TSB 17-2218 (water stains on the headliner from the roof opening, fixed glass, roof rails, or ditch mouldings).

Sources

  • Ford TSB 17-2218, headliner water stains, 2013-2018 Escape/Focus/C-MAX (NHTSA)
  • Ford recall 14V403000, a glass-to-bracket bond defect on ~1,867 specific 2014 Escapes (glass bond, NOT drains) (NHTSA)