Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 5,144 owner complaints and 49 safety recalls for the Ford Escape. That averages 97.3 complaints per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (index 2.31 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #11 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Ford Escape has logged 5,144 owner complaints and 49 safety recalls, averaging 97.3 complaints per year which is far more than typical with an index of 2.31 against all tracked vehicles. While the 2023 and 2024 models show rates within 18% of earlier years at 59 early complaints per model year versus 57, the 2020 model year stands out with the highest rate of 270.7 complaints per year compared to the 2025 low of 16.1. The most common problem area is Engine accounting for 42.7% of complaints where issues are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, followed by Body & structure at 17.6% and Transmission / powertrain at 10.8%. Owners report recurring terms such as "coolant", "intrusion", "door", "engine" and "check", with 130 complaints describing a crash or fire resulting in 117 injuries and 1 death, while the latest investigation covers underhood fires caused by fuel leak opened on 2024-04-11.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 18% of the 2018 and 2019 models (59 early complaints per model year versus 57).
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (270.7 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (16.1). Model years 2018 and 2020 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. Model years 2023 and 2024 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (42.7% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (17.6%) and Transmission / powertrain (10.8%). Engine complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “coolant”, “intrusion”, “door”, “engine” and “check”. 130 complaints (2.5%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 117 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 1,159 complaints versus 1,232 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2018 model year generated the most recent reports (369). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 54 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 49 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (16). 5 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Underhood fires caused by fuel leak” (opened 2024-04-11, closed 2025-10-30).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Honda CR-V have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Years to research carefully | 1,778 | 205.0 | 4.87 | 67 | 0.75 | 369 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 580 | 75.6 | 1.8 | 48 | 0.59 | 131 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 Years to research carefully | 1,807 | 270.7 | 6.43 | 122 | 2.14 | 306 | 24 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2021 | 365 | 64.3 | 1.53 | 46 | 0.75 | 127 | 21 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2022 | 372 | 79.6 | 1.89 | 112 | 1.52 | 106 | 21 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 | 129 | 35.1 | 0.83 | 53 | 0.64 | 49 | 13 | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 | 86 | 32.2 | 0.77 | 66 | 0.94 | 48 | 10 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Fewest complaints | 27 | 16.1 | 0.38 | — | — | 23 | 10 | Engine | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 1,159 · Previous 12 months: 1,232 Steady
Problem areas
Engine ›
2,197 · 42.7% · 1.92 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- coolant1397
- engine1819
- intrusion638
- cylinder575
Transmission / powertrain ›
555 · 10.8% · 0.93 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- transmission233
- awd80
- power train88
- diagnosed163
Electrical ›
377 · 7.3% · 0.47 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- notification electrical35
- electrical system51
- available95
- system recall31
Fuel system ›
254 · 4.9% · 1.15 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- system gasoline171
- fuel system172
- notification fuel150
- gasoline recall126
Driver-assist systems ›
62 · 1.2% · 0.21 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- pre-collision assist10
- cruise22
- awd module7
- assist available8
Steering ›
47 · 0.9% · 0.14 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering37
- assist16
- wheel20
- rack9
Other
35 · 0.7% · 0.38 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tailbone5
- seat15
- uncomfortable5
- unintendedly accelerated3
Lighting
30 · 0.6% · 0.37 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlights15
- bulbs7
- night10
- low beam4
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- coolant1433
- intrusion653
- door1005
- engine2082
- check1157
- cylinder582
- block441
- welds325
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 54 months
What owners report
The thin metal gear shift dial has peeled extensively beginning in 2022 leaving RAZOR SHARP edges that cause constant skin lacerations as it's impossible to change gears and not to touch the sharp edges.
While traveling on the interstate, the driver of the Ford Escape moved into the left lane from behind an 18-wheeler that had stopped while attempting to enter a turning lane. After moving into the left lane, the driver observed traffic ahead stopping.
Coolant is going into the cylinder. Car was starting rough and exhaust smelled strange. No warning lights came on. Service center reproduced issue. It’s an issue Ford has been aware of but hasn’t issued a recall.
Ford has known about a flaw with this engine and coolant intrusion. I have owned the vehicle for 5 months and they are refusing to cover the cost of a new engine.
Was told the lugnuts were swollen when I tried to have tires rotated. The repair shop is mainly and oil repair shop.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 49
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (4) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (24) · 2021 (21) · 2022 (21) · 2023 (13) · 2024 (10) · 2025 (10)
Investigations
- Underhood fires caused by fuel leak Closed
On April 11, 2024, NHTSAâs Office of Defects Investigation (âODIâ) opened this Recall Query (âRQâ) to investigate the adequacy of, including various safety concerns associated with, the remedy program in recalls 22V-859 (filed Nov. 18, 2022) and 24V-187 (filed Mar. 8, 2024). The vehicle population associated with these recalls includes certain MY 2020-2022 Ford Escape vehicles and MY 202…
- Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point Closed
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditio…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale Open
NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether Healey Brothers Ford, LLC of Beacon, New York, has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and in turn that a…
- Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance Open
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rea…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape model year has the most complaints?
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (270.7 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (16.1).
Is the Ford Escape getting better or worse?
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 18% of the 2018 and 2019 models (59 early complaints per model year versus 57). In the last 12 months owners filed 1,159 complaints versus 1,232 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Ford Escape problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (42.7% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (17.6%) and Transmission / powertrain (10.8%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “coolant”, “intrusion”, “door”, “engine” and “check”.
How does the Ford Escape compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #11 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Honda CR-V have more.
Does the Ford Escape have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 49 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2025 (16). 5 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Underhood fires caused by fuel leak” (opened 2024-04-11, closed 2025-10-30).