Ford Escape reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 18,575 complaints about the Ford Escape with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and transmission and drivetrain. Ford has filed 2 warranty extensions and 14 service campaigns for it, and there are 78 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Escape? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Escape 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
- 18,575
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 2
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 14
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 78
- 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 with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | Engine (67%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 25 | Electrical system (24%) | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 | 76 | Electrical system (36%) | 8 | 3 |
| 2023 | 100 | Electrical system (41%) | 11 | 4 |
| 2022 | 234 | Fuel system (27%) | 19 | 6 |
| 2021 | 349 | Body and structure (26%) | 19 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1,604 | Body and structure (42%) | 23 | 6 |
| 2019 | 594 | Engine (53%) | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1,810 | Engine (64%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2,694 | Engine (59%) | 4 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1,147 | Transmission and drivetrain (28%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1,111 | Transmission and drivetrain (26%) | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2,088 | Engine (35%) | 16 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2,750 | Engine (46%) | 18 | 2 |
| 2012 | 603 | Steering (23%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1,317 | Steering (31%) | 2 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2,070 | Cruise control and speed control (27%) | 3 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Escape 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, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Ford/lincoln: There is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of ABS speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for PCM reprogramming. Model 2011-14 F-super duty, escape, taurus, fusion, mkt, mkz.
- Warranty extensionJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Information regarding extended warranty for covering accessory protocol interface module regardless of mileage. Models 2011-2013 Edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion, taurus, mks, mkt, mkz, F-150, f-super duty.
- Service campaignJun 2026· Visibility and wipers· model years 2020
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement, if Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignApr 2026· Electrical system· model years 2023–2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 23B64 Certain 2020-2024 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Equipped with High Voltage Batteries Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Software Update
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2020–2022
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignDec 2025· Body and structure· model years 2020–2023
Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56 - Supplement #2 Certain 2020 - 2023 Model Year Escape Vehicles Inspect Front Door Check-Arm Reinforcement Spot Welds REF: Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56 - Supplement #1 Published December 18, 2024 New!
- Service campaignDec 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2020–2022
Customer Satisfaction Program 25M02 Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape with 1.5L Engine and 8F35 Transmission Upstream Catalytic Converter Replacement, If Required
- Service campaignOct 2025· Engine· model years 2020–2022
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N03 Certain 2021-2023 Model Year Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape with 1.5L Engine and 8F35 Transmission. One-Time Catalytic Converter Replacement, If Required
- Service campaignApr 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2021–2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 24N08 - Supplement #1 Certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, Escape, Mach-E, and 2022-2024 Maverick Vehicles Driver’s Side Seat Buckle Replacement
- Service campaignMar 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2024
Customer Satisfaction Program 24P28 Certain 2025 Model Year F-650/F-750, 2024 Model Year Super Duty, Transit and Escape Vehicles A/C Compressor Inspection
- Service campaignApr 2024· Equipment and accessories· model years 2020–2023
Other documents submitted 01/02/24 & Received OTA letters submitted on 02/01/24
- Service campaignDec 2019· Electrical system· model years 2017–2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprograming
- Service campaignJul 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2017
Customer satisfaction program 16B31: Certain 2017 Model year escape vehicles equipped with a 1.5L engine - powertrain control module reprogramming
- Service campaignMar 2015· Body and structure· model years 2010–2011
Ford fusion, milan, escape, mariner 2009-2013: Customer satisfaction program throttle body extended coverage.
- Service campaignNov 2013· Engine and cooling· model years 2014
At time of production, the presence of contamination, coolant mixture containing contaminated water, in engine cooling system results in corrosion of cooling systems internal components and lead to restriction flow and leaks and engine overheating and damage to components…
- Service campaignJan 2011· Engine and cooling· model years 2011
2011 Mariner/escape. Vehicles were shipped without proper emissions standards.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Escape model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine6,540 (35%)
- Transmission and drivetrain3,460 (19%)
- Other or unspecified1,782 (10%)
- Electrical system1,696 (9%)
- Steering1,627 (9%)
- Fuel and propulsion1,581 (9%)
- Engine and cooling1,413 (8%)
- Body and structure1,123 (6%)
Safety recalls
78 recalls cover at least one Escape model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse.
The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park.
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction…
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The rear brake pads may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can reduce brake function in the event of a brake booster malfunction.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
And 63 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ24008Recall query· opened Apr 2024, closed Oct 2025· Fuel system· model years 2022
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak
Led to recall 25V467.
- PE23013Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2023, closed Jan 2024· Body and structure· model years 2020–2022
Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
- AQ22002Audit query· opened Jun 2022, still open· Fuel system· model years 2021
Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale
- RQ21002Recall query· opened Aug 2021, still open· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2020
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Led to recall 26V104.
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013–2015
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 2013–2015
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
- PE13003Preliminary evaluation· opened Feb 2013, closed Feb 2014· Engine· model years 2010–2012
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
- DP12006Defect petition· opened Oct 2012, closed Feb 2013· Engine· model years 2010–2012
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
- PE11016Preliminary evaluation· opened Apr 2011, closed Aug 2011· Body and structure· model years 2010–2011
Rear Liftgate Window Glass Breakage
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Ford Escape has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Escape 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: 18,575 owner complaints, 2 warranty extensions and 14 service campaigns Ford filed, and 78 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2013 (2,750), 2017 (2,694), 2014 (2,088). 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?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (35%), transmission and drivetrain (19%), other or unspecified (10%). Ford has filed 2 warranty extensions covering the Escape, listed on this page.
Which Escape model years have the most complaints?
2013 (2,750), 2017 (2,694), 2014 (2,088). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Escape with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Escape?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2011–2014); equipment and accessories (model years 2013). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Escape?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 78 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.