YearToAvoid

2007 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

10/100

#19 most-complained of 21 Escape years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2007 Ford Escape has 254 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 10 out of 100 — #19 highest of 21 Escape model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (67 complaints, 26% of the total). Complaints report 15 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 2 deaths.

Complaints
254
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
15 / 2
Injuries / deaths
9 / 2
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20.5
19 city / 23.5 hwy

Top 2007 Ford Escape problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine67 (26%)
  2. Brakes52 (20%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain44 (17%)
  4. Electrical System31 (12%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (11%)
  6. Fuel System23 (9%)
  7. Structure & Body22 (9%)
  8. Other21 (8%)
  9. Steering15 (6%)
  10. Airbags12 (5%)
2007 Ford Escape complaints: complaints filed per quarter132007 Q12009 Q32011 Q42014 Q22016 Q32018 Q42021 Q12023 Q3
334 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q1 to 2025 Q1; peak 2013 Q1 (13).

2007 Ford Escape recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good451,394420
2006Best20464320.5
2007Best10254220.5
2008Caution651,974321
2009Avoid751,693121

All Ford Escape years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 Ford Escape a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 Ford Escape ranks #19 of 21 among Escape model years (Complaint Index 10/100, verdict: Best). It has 254 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Ford Escape?
The most reported problem areas are engine (67 complaints), brakes (52 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (44 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 71,600 miles.
Does the 2007 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 Ford Escape, most recently reported 2015, covering transmission & powertrain and fuel system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2007 Ford Escape?
EPA rates the 2007 Ford Escape at 20.5 MPG combined (19 city / 23.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,175. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.