P0365 is the exhaust-side camshaft position sensor circuit (sensor "B", bank 1). On the Escape it most often comes down to the sensor itself, its connector/wiring, or — easy to miss on these engines — low or dirty oil upsetting the variable cam timing the sensor watches. Rule out oil and wiring before condemning the sensor, and always read for companion VCT codes.
What the real-world data shows
Owner complaints: NHTSA lists 18 recalls and 2,754 owner complaints for the 2013 Escape overall (pulled 2026-10-04). None is specific to the cam sensor, but with that recall history it is worth 30 seconds to check your VIN against open recalls at nhtsa.gov before spending on parts.
How often this is searched: P0365 on the Escape shows up in our first-party Bing search logs, which is how we picked this make/model/code combination to document.
Common causes on the Ford Escape
- Failed exhaust camshaft position sensor (sensor "B", bank 1)
- Corroded, loose, or oil-contaminated sensor connector, or chafed wiring in the harness
- Low or degraded engine oil / overdue oil change upsetting the variable cam timing (VCT) the sensor monitors — common on the EcoBoost engines
- Sticking or failing VCT (variable cam timing) solenoid, which makes the cam signal look out of range
- Timing/cam-phasing fault in rarer, higher-mileage cases
How to diagnose it
- Read all codes first — Note any companion VCT / cam-correlation codes (e.g. P0011/P0016). Those often point to the real cause and change the diagnosis from "replace sensor" to "fix cam timing/oil".
- Check oil level and condition — On these engines, low or sludgy oil disturbs the VCT system and throws cam-sensor codes. Verify level and that the oil-change interval has not been blown before chasing electrical faults.
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring — Back-probe the exhaust cam sensor connector for power, ground and signal; look for oil intrusion, spread pins, and chafe. A cheap connector/wiring fix is common.
- Test or substitute the sensor — Compare the sensor signal in live data; if power/ground/wiring are good and the signal is implausible, replace the exhaust cam sensor and clear the code.
What the fix costs
Typical range: $130–$350 (US). The sensor itself is roughly $30–120; labour is usually $90–230 depending on access. An oil-related or connector-only fix can be far cheaper; a VCT solenoid or timing repair is more.
FAQ
Which sensor is "B" on the Escape?
On a dual-overhead-cam engine, "A" is the intake camshaft sensor and "B" is the exhaust camshaft sensor. P0365 is the exhaust-side (bank 1) sensor circuit, so that is the one to inspect first.
Can low oil really cause P0365?
Yes, indirectly and more often than people expect on these engines. The variable cam timing system is hydraulic and oil-pressure dependent; low or dirty oil makes the cam phase wander, and the exhaust cam sensor reports that as an implausible signal. Confirm oil before buying a sensor.
Is it safe to drive with P0365?
Usually short-term, but not ignore-it. You may notice rough running, hesitation or reduced power, and if the underlying cause is cam-timing related you do not want to run it hard. Get it diagnosed promptly.
How we researched this
Recall/complaint totals were retrieved 2026-10-04 from NHTSA’s public APIs for the Ford Escape and are vehicle-level, not code-specific. Search demand is from our own Bing Webmaster data. Causes, order of diagnosis and cost ranges are restated general service facts, not reproduced from any proprietary manual. No fabricated statistics are used.
Sources: NHTSA recalls & complaints (Ford Escape); SAE J2012 DTC definition (P0365 — Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit, Bank 1); AutoDTCs first-party Bing Webmaster search-demand logs
Last updated 2026-10-04.