NHTSA has received 595 owner complaints about the 2019 Ford Escape, or 76.4 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.89, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #63 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Ford models its rate is 51% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 27% higher.
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
Complaints filed between 2019-03-07 and 2026-10-11. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
595Complaints
76.4Complaints per year on the road
1.89Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
4.5%Share involving a crash or fire
130Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 206.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 268.9 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 48 complaints, 39% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (65.7% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (14.8%) and Electrical (3.4%). Engine complaints are 3.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 27 reports (4.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 28 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 69 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (66% of incidents). In the last 12 months 130 new complaints were filed, versus 188 in the 12 months before — down 31%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.89
vs. other Ford models1.51
vs. other 2019 models1.7
vs. other Compact SUVs1.27
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (48)0.61
The accident occurred while I was driving south on Highway 38 at approximately 45 mph. Another driver pulled forward into my path and did not appear to see my vehicle.
Electrical · 2026-05-07 · ODI 11736443 · Crash
I was in an accident that envolved a rock wall and not 1 airbag deployed. Damage was severe enough for at least 2 should have deployed.
At only 43,379 miles — well within the useful life expected of this vehicle — my 2019 Ford Escape developed two significant mechanical failures.
Engine · 2026-10-11 · ODI 11770414
My vehicle has to have a new motor. It only has 127,154 miles on it. I have sent Ford a letter to respond with in 30 days and they have not done that. Please advise the next steps.
Engine · 2026-10-07 · ODI 11769577
My 2019 Ford Escape has the Ford 6F35 transmission and I was just informed that mine is going out and needs to be replaced by a Ford dealership service department. Since 12/2025, I have had my car in the shop 3 times.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764367
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Campaign 22V413000 · 2022-06-10
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
