Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as Avoid years for the Escape, based on complaint index scores as high as 100 (2017) and, in the case of 2013 and 2014, elevated fire counts (90 and 103 respectively).

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018 as Avoid years for the Grand Cherokee. The 2014 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and the highest crash count (150) in the lineup.

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Ford Escape has more total complaints (24,261) and a higher per-year average (1,155) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee (16,742 total, 797 per year), though these figures are not adjusted for sales volume.

Which model has more recalls?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has 87 total recall campaigns versus 82 for the Ford Escape, a small difference given both span 21 model years.

Which is more fuel-efficient?

The Ford Escape averages 26 mpg combined across its lineup versus 18.1 mpg combined for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with the Escape's most efficient years (2020-2023) reaching 35 mpg combined.

Ford Escape vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Escape logs 24,261 total complaints across 21 model years (1,155 per year) with 82 recall campaigns; Jeep Grand Cherokee logs 16,742 complaints (797 per year) with 87 recalls. Escape years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020; Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Head to head

Ford Escape

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 24,261
Per model year: 1,155
Recall campaigns: 82
Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020
Best years: 2024
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.4 ★

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 16,742
Per model year: 797
Recall campaigns: 87
Years to avoid: 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018
Best years: 2010, 2017
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.1
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
2005	Good	1,394	4	20	Avoid	2,051	3	15
2006	Good	464	3	20.5	Caution	1,280	4	15
2007	Good	254	2	20.5	Caution	1,108	5	15
2008	Caution	1,974	3	21	Good	733	4	15
2009	Avoid	1,693	1	21	Good	138	2	15
2010	Avoid	2,069	3	22	Best	118	5	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	Caution	1,123	4	25	Caution	310	8	21
2017	Avoid	2,684	4	24	Best	364	5	19
2018	Caution	1,797	4	24	Avoid	853	10	21
2019	Good	587	3	24	Good	367	7	19
2020	Avoid	1,599	23	35	Good	238	3	17
2021	Caution	346	19	35	Caution	403	12	17
2022	Caution	231	19	35	Caution	260	13	21
2023	Caution	98	11	34.5	Caution	386	21	22
2024	Best	76	8	30	Caution	241	16	22
2025	Caution	24	9	34.5	Caution	74	4	22

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as Avoid years for the Escape, based on complaint index scores as high as 100 (2017) and, in the case of 2013 and 2014, elevated fire counts (90 and 103 respectively).
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018 as Avoid years for the Grand Cherokee. The 2014 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and the highest crash count (150) in the lineup.
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Ford Escape has more total complaints (24,261) and a higher per-year average (1,155) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee (16,742 total, 797 per year), though these figures are not adjusted for sales volume.
Which model has more recalls?: The Jeep Grand Cherokee has 87 total recall campaigns versus 82 for the Ford Escape, a small difference given both span 21 model years.
Which is more fuel-efficient?: The Ford Escape averages 26 mpg combined across its lineup versus 18.1 mpg combined for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with the Escape's most efficient years (2020-2023) reaching 35 mpg combined.