2025 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2025 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 21 model years, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of 9 recall campaigns. Engine complaints lead at 46% of the 24 total complaints filed.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 24
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 34.5
- 34.5 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2025 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles stall unexpectedly while driving at various speeds or while turning, sometimes during a complete stop, with no warning light illuminated.
- Engine hesitates or lags on takeoff from a stop, with owners describing a burning or rotten-egg smell at high speed.
- Ignition coils reportedly degrade, causing intermittent check-engine lights and loss of quick acceleration, especially uphill.
- Electrical faults include a radio that goes blank on startup, cruise control brakes that engage on their own, and turn signal chimes too quiet to hear.
- Passenger airbag status light intermittently shows 'off' with a passenger seated, and the transmission has shifted itself between Drive, Neutral, Reverse, and Park.
- Forward Collision Avoidance and Lane Departure Assist have engaged erroneously, pulling the vehicle back into its original lane during a lane change.
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?
- NHTSA lists 24 complaints for the 2025 Escape with a complaint index of 0, the best score of any Escape model year on record. However, the verdict is capped at Caution because of 9 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What are the main problems with the 2025 Ford Escape?
- Engine issues make up 46% of complaints, including stalling and hesitation, followed by electrical system complaints at 29%, covering blank radio screens and self-engaging brakes.
- Does the 2025 Ford Escape have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2025 Escape, covering the EGR valve, cylinder head, electric brake booster, instrument panel cluster, seat belt retractors, liftgate hinge covers, rearview camera, and a block heater element.
- How does the 2025 Escape compare to other model years?
- Its complaint index of 0 ranks it 21st out of 21 model years for reported problems, better than every other year, but the high recall count keeps its verdict at Caution instead of Good or Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Ford Escape?
- EPA rates the 2025 Escape at 34.5 mpg combined (34.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900.