Ford Escape Years to Avoid

Why 2010 and 2020 made the avoid list

2010 Ford Escape

AvoidTop issue: speed control · 42% of complaints · median 51,000 miles

Owners of the 2010 Escape describe sudden loss of power or stalling while driving, often after a wrench warning light appears, plus jerky or hard transmission shifting. Many say dealers replaced the throttle body, though some report the problem returned.

Full 2010 report ›

2020 Ford Escape

AvoidTop issue: body and structure · 53% of complaints · median 43,000 miles

Owners describe driver's door welds or hinges cracking with loud popping sounds, plus sudden power loss, stalling and serious internal engine damage, sometimes with smoke or fire. Some also report rough shifting and AWD warnings, with dealers struggling to diagnose problems or source recall parts.

Full 2020 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Ford Escape years to buy

2012 Ford Escape

Best betTop issue: air bags · 9% of complaints · median 43,000 miles

Owners filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Escape in its first five years, about 78 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. 9% of them involve the air bags, at a median of 43,000 miles.

Full 2012 report ›

2015 Ford Escape

Best betTop issue: electrical · 19% of complaints · median 40,000 miles

Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Escape in its first five years, about 77 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. 19% of them involve the electrical system, at a median of 40,000 miles.

Full 2015 report ›

2016 Ford Escape

Best betTop issue: powertrain · 29% of complaints · median 71,000 miles

Owners filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Escape in its first five years, about 91 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. 29% of them involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain), at a median of 71,000 miles.

Full 2016 report ›

2018 Ford Escape

Best betTop issue: engine · 52% of complaints · median 28,000 miles

Owners filed 278 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Escape in its first five years, about 99 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical Escape year. 52% of them involve the engine, at a median of 28,000 miles.

Full 2018 report ›

2019 Ford Escape

Best betTop issue: engine · 41% of complaints · median 27,000 miles

Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Escape in its first five years, about 62 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. 41% of them involve the engine, at a median of 27,000 miles.

Full 2019 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical Escape year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Engine29% of complaints · 2,310 complaints · median 5,000–60,000 miles by year · worst years: 2010, 2011 and 2013
2. Powertrain22% of complaints · 1,733 complaints · median 15,000–71,000 miles by year · worst years: 2009, 2010 and 2011
3. Speed control15% of complaints · 1,191 complaints · median 2,000–65,000 miles by year · worst years: 2009, 2010 and 2011
4. Body and structure14% of complaints · 1,109 complaints · median 10,000–43,000 miles by year · worst years: 2013, 2020 and 2021
5. Fuel and propulsion13% of complaints · 1,064 complaints · median 25,000–67,000 miles by year · worst years: 2009, 2010 and 2011

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Ford Escape years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2010 and 2020 Escape drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical Escape year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2008, 2009 and 2022 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Ford Escape?

The best bets are the 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 Escape, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical Escape year. The 2019 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Ford Escape?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is the engine (29% of complaints), followed by the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (22%) and speed control (15%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Ford Escape been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 84 recall campaigns covering Escape model years 2008 to 2026, the most recent in June 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.