Which years should I avoid for the Subaru Forester?

NHTSA data flags 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2025 as the Forester years to avoid, with the 2019 model showing the highest complaint index at 100 and 833 complaints.

Which years should I avoid for the Ford Escape?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid. The 2013 model has the highest complaint index at 100, with 2,749 complaints, 90 fires and 1 do-not-drive recall.

Does the Forester or Escape have more complaints and recalls?

The Escape has far more total complaints, 18,481 versus 5,034 for the Forester, and more recall campaigns, 77 versus 32. These totals are not adjusted for sales volume, so they don't show a per-vehicle rate.

Which is more fuel efficient, the Forester or Escape?

The Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined across its model years versus 25.9 mpg for the Forester. The Escape's 2020-2022 and 2023/2025 model years reach 35 and 34.5 mpg combined, the highest figures for either model.

What are the best years for each model?

Best years for the Forester are 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2024, each with a complaint index of 20 or below. Best years for the Escape are 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, all with complaint indexes of 20 or below.

Subaru Forester vs Ford Escape: Which Years to Avoid

Subaru Forester years to avoid are 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2025; Ford Escape years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020. The Forester logs 5,034 total complaints across 16 model years (315 per year) versus the Escape's 18,481 (1,155 per year), and the Escape carries more recalls, 77 versus 32. Totals are not sales-normalized.

Head to head

Subaru Forester

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,034
Per model year: 315
Recall campaigns: 32
Years to avoid: 2015, 2019, 2020, 2025
Best years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2024
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

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 ★

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	Forester				Escape
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	259	17	22	Caution	2,068	3	22
2011	Best	147	16	23	Caution	1,316	2	22
2012	Best	105	15	23	Good	599	1	23
2013	Best	77	12	23	Avoid	2,749	18	25
2014	Caution	403	2	25	Avoid	2,084	16	25
2015	Avoid	613	3	25	Caution	1,100	9	25
2016	Caution	414	3	25	Good	1,123	4	25
2017	Caution	587	1	25	Avoid	2,684	4	24
2018	Caution	495	3	25	Caution	1,797	4	24
2019	Avoid	833	3	29	Good	587	3	24
2020	Avoid	601	0	29	Avoid	1,599	23	35
2021	Good	207	0	29	Good	346	19	35
2022	Good	98	1	27.5	Best	231	19	35
2023	Good	73	1	27.5	Best	98	11	34.5
2024	Best	29	2	27.5	Best	76	8	30
2025	Avoid	93	3	28.5	Best	24	9	34.5

Complaint Index by year

Subaru Forester

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

Ford Escape

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

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Subaru Forester?: NHTSA data flags 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2025 as the Forester years to avoid, with the 2019 model showing the highest complaint index at 100 and 833 complaints.
Which years should I avoid for the Ford Escape?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid. The 2013 model has the highest complaint index at 100, with 2,749 complaints, 90 fires and 1 do-not-drive recall.
Does the Forester or Escape have more complaints and recalls?: The Escape has far more total complaints, 18,481 versus 5,034 for the Forester, and more recall campaigns, 77 versus 32. These totals are not adjusted for sales volume, so they don't show a per-vehicle rate.
Which is more fuel efficient, the Forester or Escape?: The Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined across its model years versus 25.9 mpg for the Forester. The Escape's 2020-2022 and 2023/2025 model years reach 35 and 34.5 mpg combined, the highest figures for either model.
What are the best years for each model?: Best years for the Forester are 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2024, each with a complaint index of 20 or below. Best years for the Escape are 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, all with complaint indexes of 20 or below.