Ford Escape PHEV Best and Worst Years (2020–2025)
Avoid the 2021 and 2022 Ford Escape PHEV, which carry complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the two highest of any model year, driven mainly by engine and electrical system reports. The 2024 is the Good year with the lowest complaint index (40) among rated years; 2023 rates Caution.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 6
- 2020–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 122
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Escape PHEV Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Escape PHEV problems and recalls by year
Escape PHEV years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Ford Escape PHEV Index 100 · 78 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2022 Escape PHEV has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 78 total complaints. Engine issues accounted for 47% of them at a median 3,000 miles, and electrical system issues 29% at a median 10,500 miles, including reports of the vehicle shutting down mid-drive even with the battery charged above 40%. Owners also reported the vehicle losing motive power and stalling at low speed, and one described loose or missing seat-mounting bolts. Two recalls apply, both covering high-voltage battery cell defects requiring BECM/HPCM software updates. One crash and one injury were reported.
2021 Ford Escape PHEV Index 80 · 22 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2021 Escape PHEV logged 22 complaints with a complaint index of 80. Engine problems made up 41% of its complaints at a median 30,600 miles, and electrical system issues made up 36% at a median 42,094 miles, including reports of sudden power loss while slowing down. Owners also described a power liftgate that opened or closed on its own and squealing brakes. One recall (25V789000) covers a high-voltage battery cell manufacturing defect requiring a battery and powertrain control module software update. One crash and one injury were reported for the year.
Most common Ford Escape PHEV problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System47 (39%)
- Engine46 (38%)
- Other15 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (11%)
- Fuel System12 (10%)
- Structure & Body8 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (4%)
- Brakes4 (3%)
- Steering3 (2%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Ford Escape PHEV should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 and 2022 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the two highest for this model.
- Which Ford Escape PHEV year is the best choice?
- The 2024 model year is rated Good with a complaint index of 40, the lowest among years with an assigned verdict, and its top reported issue was the electrical system in 6 complaints.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford Escape PHEV?
- Across all years, the Electrical System accounts for 39% of complaints (47 of 122) and the Engine accounts for 38% (46 of 122), making these the two dominant problem areas.
- Does the Ford Escape PHEV have a battery recall?
- Yes. Two recall campaigns, 25V789000 and 26V091000, cover a manufacturing defect in high-voltage battery cells across the 2020-2024 and 2022-2026 model years, remedied with BECM and HPCM software updates.
- Is the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV reliable?
- The 2022 model year has the highest complaint index (100) of any Escape PHEV year, with 78 complaints, most involving the engine and electrical system, and is rated Avoid relative to other years.