Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 18 recalls including one do-not-drive recall.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 as the Grand Cherokee years to avoid, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 150 reported crashes.

Which SUV has more complaints, the Escape or the Grand Cherokee?

The Escape has more total complaints, 18,481 versus 11,432 for the Grand Cherokee, but the totals are not normalized for sales volume so they can't be compared directly on rate.

Which gets better fuel economy, the Escape or the Grand Cherokee?

The Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined across its model years, well above the Grand Cherokee's 19.1 mpg combined average.

Do both models have similar recall counts?

Yes, NHTSA lists 77 recall campaigns for the Escape and 77 for the Grand Cherokee across their respective 16 model years covered.

Ford Escape vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Escape years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020; Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. Escape logged 18,481 total complaints and 77 recalls across 16 model years versus Grand Cherokee's 11,432 complaints and 77 recalls. Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined against Grand Cherokee's 19.1 mpg.

Head to head

Ford Escape

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 18,481
Per model year: 1,155
Recall campaigns: 77
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020
Best years: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 27.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.4 ★

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 11,432
Per model year: 715
Recall campaigns: 77
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
Best years: 2010, 2016, 2017, 2020
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Escape				Grand Cherokee
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	2,068	3	22	Best	118	4	16
2011	Caution	1,316	2	22	Avoid	1,640	6	18
2012	Good	599	1	23	Avoid	1,642	10	16
2013	Avoid	2,749	18	25	Caution	802	9	16
2014	Avoid	2,084	16	25	Avoid	2,375	18	19
2015	Caution	1,100	9	25	Avoid	1,359	9	19
2016	Good	1,123	4	25	Best	310	8	21
2017	Avoid	2,684	4	24	Best	364	5	19
2018	Caution	1,797	4	24	Caution	853	10	21
2019	Good	587	3	24	Good	367	7	19
2020	Avoid	1,599	23	35	Best	238	3	17
2021	Good	346	19	35	Good	403	12	17
2022	Best	231	19	35	Good	260	13	21
2023	Best	98	11	34.5	Caution	386	21	22
2024	Best	76	8	30	Caution	241	16	22
2025	Best	24	9	34.5	Good	74	4	22

Complaint Index by year

Ford Escape

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 18 recalls including one do-not-drive recall.
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 as the Grand Cherokee years to avoid, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 150 reported crashes.
Which SUV has more complaints, the Escape or the Grand Cherokee?: The Escape has more total complaints, 18,481 versus 11,432 for the Grand Cherokee, but the totals are not normalized for sales volume so they can't be compared directly on rate.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Escape or the Grand Cherokee?: The Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined across its model years, well above the Grand Cherokee's 19.1 mpg combined average.
Do both models have similar recall counts?: Yes, NHTSA lists 77 recall campaigns for the Escape and 77 for the Grand Cherokee across their respective 16 model years covered.