NHTSA has received 580 owner complaints about the 2019 Ford Escape, or 75.6 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.80, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #61 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 39% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 22% 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 2026-09-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
580Complaints
75.6Complaints per year on the road
1.8Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
4.7%Share involving a crash or fire
131Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 205.0 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 270.7 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 48 complaints, 41% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (65.0% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (15.0%) and Electrical (3.4%). Engine complaints are 2.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “coolant”, “intrusion”, “engine”, “cylinder” and “block”. 27 reports (4.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 28 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 68 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (65% of incidents). In the last 12 months 131 new complaints were filed, versus 194 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 83% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.8
vs. other Ford models1.39
vs. other 2019 models1.65
vs. other Compact SUVs1.22
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (48)0.59
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.
Was told the lugnuts were swollen when I tried to have tires rotated. The repair shop is mainly and oil repair shop.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761514
Vehicle purchased from dealer with concealed total loss history and federal/state odometer fraud. Official state title records show the odometer froze at 73,539 miles between Tennessee title issued March 2025 and Ohio title issued January 2026.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761195
I recently bought a 2019 Ford Escape from Superior Mazda in Bentonville, Arkansas for my daughter going off to college. Soon after purchasing the vehicle a giant puff of smoke started coming out the exhaust when starting.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760039
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Ford Escape?
580 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Ford Escape, or about 75.6 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Ford Escape?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 65.0% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Ford Escape have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Ford Escape still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 131 new complaints were filed, versus 194 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2019 Ford Escape compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 580 owner complaints about the 2019 Ford Escape, or 75.6 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.80, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #61 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 39% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 22% higher.