Ford Escape — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
4 model years to avoid, 5 to watch and 10 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid4 years
Caution5 years
Best bets10 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
- Not enough data
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ○ Not enough data | 3 | Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2025 | ○ Not enough data | 25 | Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2024 | ▲ Recommended | 76 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2023 | ▲ Recommended | 99 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | ▲ Recommended | 233 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | ▲ Recommended | 346 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ◆ Caution | 1,600 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ▲ Recommended | 590 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ◆ Caution | 1,806 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ■ Avoid | 2,688 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ● Recommended | 1,116 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ● Recommended | 1,083 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ■ Avoid | 2,086 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ■ Avoid | 2,748 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ▲ Recommended | 602 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ● Recommended | 1,316 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ■ Avoid | 2,070 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ◆ Caution | 1,692 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | ◆ Caution | 1,974 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | ▲ Recommended | 254 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | ▲ Recommended | 464 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | ◆ Caution | 1,394 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | ▲ Recommended | 499 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | ▲ Recommended | 558 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | ● Recommended | 1,027 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2001 | ● Recommended | 996 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2000 | ○ Not enough data | 5 | Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
98
recalls on file across every Ford Escape model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.