Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as Escape years with the highest complaint indexes and, in some cases, heavy recall activity, such as 2013's 18 recalls including one do-not-drive campaign.

Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?

The Outback years flagged as Avoid are 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022, based on complaint index scores that peak at 100 for 2020 and 95 for 2019.

Does the Escape or Outback have more complaints overall?

The Escape has 24,261 total complaints across 21 model years compared to 8,662 for the Outback, though NHTSA does not publish sales data so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Ford Escape averages 26 mpg combined across its lineup versus 23.6 mpg combined for the Subaru Outback.

Does either model have a best year with no complaint concerns?

The Escape has one Best-rated year, 2024, while the Outback has no year rated Good or Best across its 21-year range without a caution tied to complaints or recalls; its lowest-risk years are not labeled Best in this data.

Ford Escape vs Subaru Outback: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Escape years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020; Subaru Outback years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022. The Escape logs 24,261 total complaints and 82 recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 8,662 complaints and 57 recalls for the Outback; the Escape averages 26 mpg combined against 23.6 mpg for the Outback.

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 ★

Subaru Outback

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 8,662
Per model year: 412
Recall campaigns: 57
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
Best years: —
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

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				Outback
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	1,394	4	20	Caution	273	9	20
2006	Good	464	3	20.5	Good	277	7	20
2007	Good	254	2	20.5	Caution	129	8	21
2008	Caution	1,974	3	21	Caution	226	8	20
2009	Avoid	1,693	1	21	Caution	106	13	20
2010	Avoid	2,069	3	22	Caution	360	18	22
2011	Caution	1,316	2	22	Caution	651	16	22
2012	Good	599	1	23	Caution	292	16	22
2013	Avoid	2,749	18	25	Caution	297	12	24
2014	Avoid	2,084	16	25	Caution	208	10	24
2015	Caution	1,100	9	25	Caution	510	5	25
2016	Caution	1,123	4	25	Avoid	643	4	25
2017	Avoid	2,684	4	24	Avoid	917	4	25
2018	Caution	1,797	4	24	Avoid	811	3	25
2019	Good	587	3	24	Avoid	1,034	3	25
2020	Avoid	1,599	23	35	Avoid	897	6	27.5
2021	Caution	346	19	35	Caution	296	4	27.5
2022	Caution	231	19	35	Avoid	463	4	26
2023	Caution	98	11	34.5	Good	89	2	25
2024	Best	76	8	30	Good	102	0	25
2025	Caution	24	9	34.5	Caution	81	0	25

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as Escape years with the highest complaint indexes and, in some cases, heavy recall activity, such as 2013's 18 recalls including one do-not-drive campaign.
Which Subaru Outback years should I avoid?: The Outback years flagged as Avoid are 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022, based on complaint index scores that peak at 100 for 2020 and 95 for 2019.
Does the Escape or Outback have more complaints overall?: The Escape has 24,261 total complaints across 21 model years compared to 8,662 for the Outback, though NHTSA does not publish sales data so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Ford Escape averages 26 mpg combined across its lineup versus 23.6 mpg combined for the Subaru Outback.
Does either model have a best year with no complaint concerns?: The Escape has one Best-rated year, 2024, while the Outback has no year rated Good or Best across its 21-year range without a caution tied to complaints or recalls; its lowest-risk years are not labeled Best in this data.