Which Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024 as the Wrangler years to avoid, based on complaint index and recall counts. The 2018 model has a complaint index of 93 and 14 recall campaigns.

Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid. The 2013 Escape has the highest complaint index of any year in the dataset, at 100, with 18 recall campaigns and a do-not-drive recall.

Does the Wrangler or Escape have more complaints overall?

The Ford Escape has 18,481 total complaints across 16 model years versus 10,204 for the Jeep Wrangler, but this is not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Ford Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.8 mpg combined for the Jeep Wrangler. Recent Escape years reach 35 mpg combined with a $1,875 annual fuel cost, well below the Wrangler's $3,600+.

Which has more recalls, the Wrangler or the Escape?

The Ford Escape has 77 total recall campaigns across its years covered, compared to 60 for the Jeep Wrangler.

Jeep Wrangler vs Ford Escape: Which Years to Avoid

Jeep Wrangler owners should avoid 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024; Ford Escape owners should avoid 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020. Escape logs more total complaints (18,481 vs 10,204) and recalls (77 vs 60), but Escape gets much better fuel economy (27.7 vs 18.8 mpg combined). Totals are not sales-normalized.

Head to head

Jeep Wrangler

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 10,204
Per model year: 638
Recall campaigns: 60
Years to avoid: 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2011, 2015, 2017, 2025
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

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	Wrangler				Escape
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	685	10	17	Caution	2,068	3	22
2011	Best	485	10	17	Caution	1,316	2	22
2012	Caution	834	9	18	Good	599	1	23
2013	Good	650	6	18	Avoid	2,749	18	25
2014	Good	654	4	18	Avoid	2,084	16	25
2015	Best	472	3	18	Caution	1,100	9	25
2016	Good	460	5	18	Good	1,123	4	25
2017	Best	309	5	18	Avoid	2,684	4	24
2018	Avoid	1,820	14	18	Caution	1,797	4	24
2019	Caution	741	9	20	Good	587	3	24
2020	Caution	609	12	20.5	Avoid	1,599	23	35
2021	Avoid	934	15	20.5	Good	346	19	35
2022	Caution	396	15	20.5	Best	231	19	35
2023	Avoid	364	14	20.5	Best	98	11	34.5
2024	Avoid	725	11	19.5	Best	76	8	30
2025	Best	66	4	20	Best	24	9	34.5

Complaint Index by year

Jeep Wrangler

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 Jeep Wrangler years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024 as the Wrangler years to avoid, based on complaint index and recall counts. The 2018 model has a complaint index of 93 and 14 recall campaigns.
Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid. The 2013 Escape has the highest complaint index of any year in the dataset, at 100, with 18 recall campaigns and a do-not-drive recall.
Does the Wrangler or Escape have more complaints overall?: The Ford Escape has 18,481 total complaints across 16 model years versus 10,204 for the Jeep Wrangler, but this is not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Ford Escape averages 27.7 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.8 mpg combined for the Jeep Wrangler. Recent Escape years reach 35 mpg combined with a $1,875 annual fuel cost, well below the Wrangler's $3,600+.
Which has more recalls, the Wrangler or the Escape?: The Ford Escape has 77 total recall campaigns across its years covered, compared to 60 for the Jeep Wrangler.