Ford Escape Hybrid reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 624 complaints about the Ford Escape Hybrid with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and body and structure. Ford has filed 0 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 2 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Escape Hybrid? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Escape Hybrid a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 624
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 0
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 2
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Escape Hybrid with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | Fuel and propulsion (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | Electrical system (50%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 23 | Electrical system (52%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 68 | Engine (50%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 124 | Engine (29%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 288 | Body and structure (36%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | Engine (80%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 15 | Brakes (13%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 37 | Steering (38%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 59 | Steering (31%) | 0 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Escape Hybrid model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Escape Hybrid, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
No warranty extension or service campaign on file for the Escape Hybrid.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Escape Hybrid model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine160 (26%)
- Body and structure147 (24%)
- Other or unspecified96 (15%)
- Electrical system93 (15%)
- Transmission and drivetrain61 (10%)
- Brakes39 (6%)
- Steering34 (5%)
- Cruise control and speed control24 (4%)
Safety recalls
2 recalls cover at least one Escape Hybrid model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE23013Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2023, closed Jan 2024· Body and structure· model years 2020–2021
Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
- DP22005Defect petition· opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2010–2013, 2020–2022
Pedestrian alert sounds
Led to recall 22V063000.
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- PE18007Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2018, closed Dec 2024· Engine and cooling· model years 2013
Loss of Motive Power
- PE16001Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2016, closed Oct 2016· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 16V643000.
- DP15001Defect petition· opened Apr 2015, closed Jun 2018· Steering· model years 2010–2011
Loss of power steering while driving
- DP12006Defect petition· opened Oct 2012, closed Feb 2013· Engine· model years 2010–2012
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Escape Hybrid reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 624 owner complaints, 0 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Ford filed, and 2 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2020 (288), 2021 (124), 2022 (68). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Escape Hybrid?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (26%), body and structure (24%), other or unspecified (15%). Ford has filed no warranty extension for the Escape Hybrid with NHTSA.
Which Escape Hybrid model years have the most complaints?
2020 (288), 2021 (124), 2022 (68). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Escape Hybrid with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Escape Hybrid?
Ford has filed no warranty extension for the Escape Hybrid with NHTSA in the years we hold.
How do I check recalls on a Escape Hybrid?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 2 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.