2007 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2007 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 10, the lowest among most model years, and ranks 19 out of 21 worst-first. Its verdict is capped at Good because NHTSA records for 2005-2009 are less complete, not because the data shows it's the best year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 10/100
- #19 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 254
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 19 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 2
Top 2007 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine67 (26%)
- Brakes52 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain44 (17%)
- Electrical System31 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (11%)
- Fuel System23 (9%)
- Structure & Body22 (9%)
- Other21 (8%)
- Steering15 (6%)
- Airbags12 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during head-on and rear-end collisions, sometimes at highway speeds around 45-50 mph.
- Owners describe steering that became difficult to maneuver while turning, accompanied by an abnormal hissing sound in the steering column.
- One owner reported a tire and valve issue that was serviced, followed by a rollover crash shortly after the repair.
- Electrical system complaints include a report of the vehicle catching fire overnight in the rear cargo area with an undetermined cause.
- A fuel system complaint described the throttle sticking at high RPM, preventing the vehicle from stopping before a collision.
- Structure and body complaints mention squeaking noises at certain speeds followed by electrical failure and a burning smell.
2007 Ford Escape recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Transmission & Powertrain57 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
- NHTSA 14V526000Sep 3, 2014Fuel System70,209 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
2007 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Ford Escape reliable based on NHTSA complaints?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 10 for the 2007 Escape, among the lowest of all 21 model years covered, and it ranks 19th worst out of 21. Its verdict is Good, though capped due to incomplete records for 2005-2009.
- What are the most common problems on the 2007 Ford Escape?
- Engine complaints make up 26% of reports (67 complaints), followed by brakes at 20% (52 complaints) and transmission/powertrain issues at 17% (44 complaints). Median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 71,600.
- Does the 2007 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2007 Escape: one for transmission shift lever bolts (campaign 15V606000) and one for hybrid Motor Electronics Coolant Pump replacement (campaign 14V526000, applying to hybrid models).
- How does the 2007 Escape compare to other model years?
- The 2007 model's complaint index of 10 is far lower than years like 2017 (100), 2013 (90), and 2020 (95), all rated Avoid. Only the 2023 (5) and 2025 (0) model years show lower complaint indexes.
- Were there any airbag issues reported for the 2007 Ford Escape?
- Sample complaints include multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including head-on and rollover collisions, with some resulting in serious injury.