Ford Escape Problems by Year

We compared every Ford Escape model year from 2000–2026 using 27,504 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 95 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018 and 2014, which drew far more complaints than other Escape years at the same age. The best years are 2025, 2012 and 2023.

27model years
27,504complaints
95recalls
2017, 2020worst years
2025, 2012best years

Complaints by model year

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2659961.0k5584991.4k4642542.0k1.7k2.1k1.3k6042.8k2.1k1.1k1.2k2.7k1.8k5961.6k35023710176263
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Escape. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20263−57%2EngineGood
202526−55%9EngineGood
202476−24%8Collision AvoidanceAverage
2023101−34%11ElectricalAverage
2022237typical19Fuel SystemAverage
2021350−23%19BodyAverage
20201,6123.1×23BodyAvoid
2019596typical3EngineAverage
20181,8202.6×4EngineAvoid
20172,7003.4×4EngineAvoid
20161,162typical4TransmissionAverage
20151,125typical9TransmissionAverage
20142,0892.1×16EngineAvoid
20132,7512.8×18EngineAvoid
2012604−36%1Fuel SystemAverage
20111,3181.4×2SteeringAverage
20102,0702.3×3AccelerationAvoid
20091,6931.4×1SteeringCaution
20081,9741.7×3SteeringCaution
2007254−77%2BrakeGood
2006464−57%3AccelerationGood
20051,394typical4SuspensionAverage
2004499−75%6SuspensionGood
2003558−61%7BodyGood
20021,027typical8EngineAverage
2001996typical13EngineAverage
20005−99%—AirbagGood

* Complaints compared with the median Escape year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford Escape problems

Latest Ford Escape recalls

Visibility › Power window devices and controls

NHTSA recall 26V-374 · Jun 9, 2026 · 18,124 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Internal › Park pawl

NHTSA recall 26V-301 · May 12, 2026 · 208 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park.

Remedy: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2026.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-123 · Mar 3, 2026 · 889,950 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

NHTSA recall 26V-117 · Mar 3, 2026 · 604,533 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)

NHTSA recall 26V-122 · Mar 3, 2026 · 47,804 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10.

All 95 Ford Escape recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford Escape should you avoid?

2017, 2020, 2013, 2018, 2014 and 2010 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Escape years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2017.

What is the best year for the Ford Escape?

2025 has the fewest complaints compared with other Escape years at the same age, followed by 2012 and 2023. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford Escape problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (9,292), transmission & drivetrain (4,661) and steering (3,946). Engine complaints peak in the 2017 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford Escape had?

95 recalls across 2000–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Ford Escape recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.