Ford Escape problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Escape from 2000 to 2026: 27,440 owner complaints and 202 recalls across 27 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2013 (2750), 2017 (2694), 2014 (2088). Best fuel economy: 30 mpg combined (2026).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 5 | – | |
| 2001 | 13 | 996 | 23 | |
| 2002 | 8 | 1027 | 22 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 558 | 22 | |
| 2004 | 6 | 499 | 22 | |
| 2005 | 4 | 1394 | 24 | |
| 2006 | 3 | 464 | 23 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 254 | 23 | |
| 2008 | 3 | 1974 | 24 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 1693 | 24 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 2070 | 24 | |
| 2011 | 2 | 1317 | 25 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 603 | 25 | |
| 2013 | 18 | 2750 | 26 | |
| 2014 | 16 | 2088 | 26 | |
| 2015 | 9 | 1111 | 26 | |
| 2016 | 4 | 1148 | 26 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 2694 | 26 | |
| 2018 | 4 | 1810 | 26 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 594 | 26 | |
| 2020 | 23 | 1604 | 30 | |
| 2021 | 19 | 349 | 30 | |
| 2022 | 19 | 234 | 30 | |
| 2023 | 11 | 100 | 30 | |
| 2024 | 8 | 76 | 30 | |
| 2025 | 9 | 25 | 30 | |
| 2026 | 2 | 3 | 30 |
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Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Ford Escape.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Ford Escape?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2013 (2750), 2017 (2694), 2014 (2088).
How many recalls has the Ford Escape had?
Across 2000–2026, NHTSA lists 202 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).