2025 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#16 most-complained of 16 Escape years
The 2025 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 0 and ranks 16th out of 16 model years, earning a Best verdict. It has 24 complaints and 9 recalls, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 34.5
- 34.5 city / 35 hwy
Top 2025 Ford Escape problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (46%)
- Electrical System7 (29%)
- Other5 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (8%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Lane Departure1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle stalling while driving at various speeds and while turning, sometimes needing a dealer visit that did not resolve the issue.
- Some describe intermittent check-engine lights with engine lugging and hesitation to accelerate, especially uphill, later traced to ignition coil issues.
- Several note electrical glitches such as a blank radio screen, brakes engaging on their own during cruise control use, and unexplained RPM fluctuations tied to stalling in intersections.
- One owner reports the passenger airbag light randomly showing off and the transmission shifting itself between drive, neutral, reverse, and park, even after a software update.
- A driver reports the Lane Departure Assist erroneously pulling the vehicle back into its lane while trying to change lanes at highway speed.
- Another owner describes a burning or rotten-egg smell at high speed along with hesitation when pulling away from a stop.
2025 Ford Escape recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V122000Mar 3, 2026Engine47,804 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V862000Dec 12, 2025Seat Belts780 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V829000Dec 1, 2025Structure & Body108,762 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
2025 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 34.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 34.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,900
- 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.
2025 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Ford Escape reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Escape ranks 16th out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 0, making it the Best-rated year for the model so far.
- What problems does the 2025 Ford Escape have?
- NHTSA lists 24 complaints, with Engine issues making up 46% of them (11 complaints), followed by Electrical System problems at 29% (7 complaints). No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were reported.
- Does the 2025 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2025 Escape, covering the engine (EGR valve and cylinder head), electrical system (block heater and instrument cluster), seat belts, structure, brakes, and the rearview camera. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2025 Escape compare to other Escape model years?
- With a complaint index of 0 and a Best verdict, the 2025 Escape compares favorably to years like 2013 (index 100, Avoid) and 2017 (index 93, Avoid), which had far more reported problems.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Ford Escape?
- The 2025 Escape gets an EPA-rated 34.5 mpg combined (34.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900.