Ford Escape Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford Escape years to avoid based on NHTSA data are 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020, all with complaint indexes of 75 or higher. The 2024 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 15, while 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, and 2019 rate Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2017Avoid 2020Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 24,261
- Recall campaigns
- 82
- Crashes reported
- 560
- Fires reported
- 317
- Top problem area
- Engine
Escape 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 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 45 | 1,394 | 40 | 20 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 20 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 20 | 464 | 16 | 9 | 3 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 10 | 254 | 15 | 2 | 2 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 65 | 1,974 | 59 | 6 | 3 | Steering | 21 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 75 | 1,693 | 34 | 2 | 1 | Steering | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 80 | 2,069 | 29 | 3 | 3 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 1,316 | 38 | 7 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 3★ |
| 2012 | Good | 35 | 599 | 37 | 3 | 1 | Fuel System | 23 | 3★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 90 | 2,749 | 49 | 90 | 18 ! | Engine | 25 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 85 | 2,084 | 47 | 103 | 16 | Engine | 25 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 50 | 1,100 | 29 | 19 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 55 | 1,123 | 36 | 10 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 2,684 | 39 | 15 | 4 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 70 | 1,797 | 25 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 40 | 587 | 24 | 3 | 3 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 95 | 1,599 | 20 | 4 | 23 | Structure & Body | 35 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 30 | 346 | 9 | 9 | 19 | Structure & Body | 35 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 25 | 231 | 7 | 4 | 19 | Fuel System | 35 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 5 | 98 | 2 | 3 | 11 | Electrical System | 34.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 15 | 76 | 5 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 30 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Engine | 34.5 | — |
Escape years to avoid: what went wrong
2017 Ford Escape Index 100 · 2,684 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Escape holds the highest complaint index of any model year at 100, ranking worst overall. Engine complaints make up 74% of the year's total, 1,991 reports, with a median failure mileage of 76,000. Transmission and electrical system problems follow at smaller shares. NHTSA recalls address a power window software issue that was previously repaired incorrectly under an earlier campaign, the engine block heater coolant leak, and the transmission shifter cable bushing.
2017 engine problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 electrical system problems →
2020 Ford Escape Index 95 · 1,599 complaints · 23 recalls
Structure and body complaints lead the 2020 Escape with 719 reports (45%) at a median of 45,500 miles, followed by transmission (239, 15%) and fuel system (194, 12%) issues. NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for this model year, the most of any Escape year, covering a center display image inversion, a windshield wiper motor failure risk, and liftgate hinge covers that can detach. The complaint index reaches 95, the second-highest across all Escape model years.
2020 structure & body problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 fuel system problems →
2013 Ford Escape Index 90 · 2,749 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2013 Escape carries the third-worst complaint index at 90. Engine complaints lead with 1,468 reports (53%) at a median of 78,000 miles, followed by transmission and electrical system issues. NHTSA recorded 90 fire reports for this model year, well above most other years, alongside 18 recall campaigns including one flagged as requiring owners not to drive until repaired. Recalls cover an engine block heater coolant leak risk, a shifter cable bushing, and a rear liftgate latch.
2013 engine problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 electrical system problems →
2014 Ford Escape Index 85 · 2,084 complaints · 16 recalls
Engine issues account for 902 complaints (43%) in the 2014 Escape, with a median failure mileage of 79,464.5, while transmission complaints followed at 481 (23%) near 89,804 miles. NHTSA logged 103 fire reports and four deaths tied to this model year, the highest death count among Escape years. Recalls for 2014 include the same engine block heater and shifter cable bushing campaigns seen in 2013. The complaint index stands at 85, and the year ranks 4th worst overall.
2014 engine problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2010 Ford Escape Index 80 · 2,069 complaints · 3 recalls
Engine problems dominate 2010 Escape complaints, with 891 reports (43%) surfacing around a median of 52,000 miles. Transmission and fuel system issues each made up about a quarter of complaints, with fuel system failures reported near 56,895 miles. NHTSA recalls for this year address a fuel delivery module flange, a steering torque sensor, and a park rod guide retention pin in the transmission. The complaint index reaches 80, placing 2010 among the worst Escape years by rank.
2010 engine problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →2010 fuel system problems →
2009 Ford Escape Index 75 · 1,693 complaints · 1 recalls
Owners of the 2009 Escape reported steering problems most often, accounting for 828 complaints or 49% of the year's total, with failures showing up at a median of 121,000 miles. Engine complaints followed at 476 (28%), typically near 69,000 miles. NHTSA lists a recall covering the power steering control module software on 2008-2011 Escapes. The complaint index for 2009 sits at 75, and the year ranks 6th worst among all Escape model years.
2009 steering problems →2009 engine problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Ford Escape problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine9,802 (40%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4,326 (18%)
- Steering3,739 (15%)
- Fuel System2,429 (10%)
- Electrical System2,296 (9%)
- Structure & Body2,194 (9%)
- Other2,061 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,206 (5%)
- Brakes1,106 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras616 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford Escape years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 as the Escape years to avoid, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the lineup.
- What is the best Ford Escape year to buy?
- The 2024 Escape is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 15 and only 76 total complaints logged.
- Which Ford Escape year has the most reported problems?
- The 2017 Escape has the highest complaint index at 100, driven largely by 1,991 engine complaints, which make up 74% of that year's total.
- Are recent Ford Escape years reliable?
- Recent years like 2021-2025 carry low complaint counts and low complaint indexes, but all are capped at Caution because each has 9 to 19 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- Does the Ford Escape have engine problems?
- Engine complaints are the top problem area across all Escape years, totaling 9,802 complaints or 40% of all complaints filed, concentrated heavily in 2013, 2014, and 2017.