Ford Escape problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 12,949 owner complaints and 80 recalls on file for the Ford Escape (2005–2026). The 2017 Escape has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
12,949
Recalls
80
Model years
22
Worst year
2017

Complaints by model year

49200539352007277406200928231820111521,24120131,19385520159212,47320171,74357520191,60334920212341002023762520253
NHTSA complaints per Ford Escape model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Ford Escape years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2017 Ford Escape — 2,473 complaints, 20 crashes, 10 fires; top problem: Engine
  2. 2018 Ford Escape — 1,743 complaints, 18 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Engine
  3. 2020 Ford Escape — 1,603 complaints, 20 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Body & Structure
  4. 2014 Ford Escape — 1,193 complaints, 16 crashes, 43 fires; top problem: Engine
  5. 2013 Ford Escape — 1,241 complaints, 22 crashes, 25 fires; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2007 (35 complaints).

Every Ford Escape model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Escape30002Electrical System
2025 Escape250009Engine
2024 Escape765068Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2023 Escape10023111Electrical System
2022 Escape23474919Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2021 Escape34999519Body & Structure
2020 Escape1,6032042823Body & Structure
2019 Escape575223253Engine
2018 Escape1,743184214Engine
2017 Escape2,4732010214Engine
2016 Escape921268124Transmission & Drivetrain
2015 Escape8551712189Transmission & Drivetrain
2014 Escape1,19316431616Engine
2013 Escape1,24122252118Engine
2012 Escape1525051Steering
2011 Escape3186242Steering
2010 Escape2826023Steering
2009 Escape40610051Steering
2008 Escape27711193Steering
2007 Escape353002Brakes
2006 Escape392122Brakes
2005 Escape493012Suspension

Most common Ford Escape problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    5,650 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2,194 complaints
  • Steering
    1,444 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1,146 complaints
  • Electrical System
    978 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    873 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    696 complaints
  • Brakes
    456 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    257 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    187 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Ford Escape received by NHTSA each month.

Ford Escape recalls

  • Recall 26V374000Jun 9, 202618,124 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 26V301000May 12, 2026208 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V123000Mar 3, 2026889,950 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V122000Mar 3, 202647,804 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V117000Mar 3, 2026604,533 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V011000Jan 15, 2026116,672 vehiclesModel years 2013–2019

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V862000Dec 12, 2025780 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 25V829000Dec 1, 2025108,762 vehiclesModel years 2020–2025

    Risk: A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V787000Nov 14, 20252 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V695000Oct 13, 20251,448,655 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V685000Oct 10, 202559,006 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V693000Oct 10, 202513,451 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: Reduced brake function can require the driver to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V467000Jul 11, 2025694,271 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V442000Jun 27, 2025200,237 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V372000Jun 3, 2025404 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V345000May 23, 20251,809 vehiclesModel years 2020–2023

    Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 25V343000May 23, 20256,781 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V315000May 9, 20251,076,138 vehiclesModel years 2023–2024

    Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V161000Mar 14, 20254,721 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: An inverted rearview camera image will not accurately display what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 25V165000Mar 14, 202533,576 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V133000Feb 28, 2025207 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V049000Jan 31, 2025298 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V954000Dec 20, 202420,484 vehiclesModel years 2020–2024

    Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 24V850000Nov 8, 202415 vehiclesModel years 2024–2025

    Risk: During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

  • Recall 24V852000Nov 8, 202427,678 vehiclesModel years 2020–2024

    Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Other Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology