Ford Escape: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Ford Escape years to approach with the most caution are 2013. Below is every model year we cover (2005–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Ford Escape year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Caution 7 Cracked fuel injectors can leak fuel into the engine bay and create a fire risk; the defect prompted a recall and primarily affects 1.5L EcoBoost models.; Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.; Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive. Full report ↗
2023 Caution 7 Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.; Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 7 Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.; Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive. Full report ↗
2012 Caution 7 Electric power steering (EPAS) failure from a faulty torque sensor causes sudden loss of steering assist; subject to NHTSA recall campaign 14V284000.; Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.; Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure. Full report ↗
2007 Caution 7 Rear subframe, shock tower, and wheel-well rust/corrosion can compromise suspension mounting, especially in salt-belt climates.; Brake system failures including ABS malfunction and loss of braking power.; Electric power steering loss and sudden engine stalling reported. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 6 Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.; Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive. Full report ↗
2020 Caution 6 Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.; Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 6 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.; Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 6 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.; Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion. Full report ↗
2011 Caution 6 Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.; Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure. Full report ↗
2010 Caution 6 Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.; Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure. Full report ↗
2006 Caution 6 Rear subframe, shock tower, and wheel-well rust/corrosion can compromise suspension mounting, especially in salt-belt climates.; Brake system failures including ABS malfunction and loss of braking power.; Electric power steering loss and sudden engine stalling reported. Full report ↗
2005 Caution 6 Rear subframe, shock tower, and wheel-well rust/corrosion can compromise suspension mounting, especially in salt-belt climates.; Brake system failures including ABS malfunction and loss of braking power.; Electric power steering loss and sudden engine stalling reported. Full report ↗
2019 Caution 5 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Engine fires and cracked cylinder heads reported, primarily on early 1.6L EcoBoost models.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures. Full report ↗
2018 Caution 5 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.; Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 5 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.; Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 5 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.; Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion. Full report ↗
2009 Caution 5 Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.; Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure. Full report ↗
2008 Caution 5 Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.; Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure. Full report ↗
2013 Avoid 4 Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.; Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.; Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion. Full report ↗

Ford Escape problems by year

2024 Ford Escape Caution

A well-rounded compact SUV with efficient hybrid options and strong safety tech; reliability is improved over the launch years but interior quality lags the price.

  • Cracked fuel injectors can leak fuel into the engine bay and create a fire risk; the defect prompted a recall and primarily affects 1.5L EcoBoost models.
  • Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.
  • Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive.

2023 Ford Escape Caution

The 2023 refresh adds a larger SYNC 4 touchscreen and settled powertrains; a solid used pick, though materials feel cheap on dearer trims.

  • Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.
  • Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive.

2022 Ford Escape Caution

Mid-generation 2022 is among the more settled fourth-gen years; nimble, efficient, and well-equipped, with the usual cheap-interior caveat.

  • Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.
  • Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive.

2021 Ford Escape Caution

Carries early fourth-gen powertrain teething (fuel-injector recall, transmission complaints); a capable, efficient SUV that needs recall checks before buying.

  • Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.
  • Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive.

2020 Ford Escape Caution

The fourth-generation launch year saw the most complaints, led by cracked fuel injectors (fire recall) and transmission jerking; verify recalls are completed.

  • Transmission jerking, hard shifting, and hesitation or refusal to engage gears.
  • Electrical module failures can disable safety systems such as ABS, traction control, and all-wheel drive.

2019 Ford Escape Caution

Late third-gen Escape with the troublesome 1.5L EcoBoost coolant-intrusion risk; the simpler 2.5L cars are the safer used buy.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Engine fires and cracked cylinder heads reported, primarily on early 1.6L EcoBoost models.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.

2018 Ford Escape Caution

Rated below average for reliability, driven by 1.5L EcoBoost coolant-intrusion engine failures; pleasant to drive but check engine history closely.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion.

2017 Ford Escape Caution

Refreshed styling and SYNC 3, but coolant intrusion on the 1.5L/2.0L EcoBoost engines is a costly, widely reported failure; inspect carefully.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion.

2016 Ford Escape Caution

An average-reliability third-gen year; the non-turbo 2.5L is the more dependable choice, while EcoBoost cars carry coolant-intrusion risk.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion.

2015 Ford Escape Caution

One of the stronger third-gen years (rated above average by Consumer Reports), especially with the simple 2.5L engine; EcoBoost coolant risk still applies.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion.

2014 Ford Escape Caution

Early third-gen year still exposed to 1.6L EcoBoost coolant intrusion and engine-fire recalls; an average pick at best, EcoBoost history matters.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion.

2013 Ford Escape Avoid

The most problem-prone Escape: 1.6L EcoBoost coolant intrusion, cracked heads, engine fires, and multiple recalls drove thousands of complaints.

  • Coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines causes misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure, often needing engine replacement.
  • Transmission hard shifting, jerking, and torque-converter failures.
  • Electrical faults including intermittent no-start and tail-light water intrusion.

2012 Ford Escape Caution

The best second-gen year, with far fewer issues and only a couple of recalls; a practical, efficient used SUV, watch for rust and transmission wear.

  • Electric power steering (EPAS) failure from a faulty torque sensor causes sudden loss of steering assist; subject to NHTSA recall campaign 14V284000.
  • Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.
  • Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure.

2011 Ford Escape Caution

Improved late second-gen year; still carries some EPAS power-steering and transmission risk, but more settled than 2008-2010.

  • Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.
  • Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure.

2010 Ford Escape Caution

Practical and efficient, but shares the second-gen electric power-steering failures and transmission concerns; budget for those repairs.

  • Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.
  • Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure.

2009 Ford Escape Caution

Among the higher-complaint second-gen years for power steering and transmission; the 4-cylinder FWD is the easiest version to live with.

  • Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.
  • Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure.

2008 Ford Escape Caution

Second-generation launch year with widespread electric power-steering (EPAS) failures and brake complaints; verify the steering recall was performed.

  • Brake system faults including ABS failures and the brake pedal sinking to the floor.
  • Automatic transmission slipping, rough shifting, and premature failure.

2007 Ford Escape Caution

The cleanest first-gen year, with the fewest complaints and proven long-term durability; rust and the aging transmission are the main watch-outs.

  • Rear subframe, shock tower, and wheel-well rust/corrosion can compromise suspension mounting, especially in salt-belt climates.
  • Brake system failures including ABS malfunction and loss of braking power.
  • Electric power steering loss and sudden engine stalling reported.

2006 Ford Escape Caution

A durable, comfortable compact SUV that can exceed 200,000 miles, but rear subframe/wheel-well rust and transmission wear are real concerns.

  • Rear subframe, shock tower, and wheel-well rust/corrosion can compromise suspension mounting, especially in salt-belt climates.
  • Brake system failures including ABS malfunction and loss of braking power.
  • Electric power steering loss and sudden engine stalling reported.

2005 Ford Escape Caution

Capable and long-lasting first-gen Escape (Hybrid introduced this year), but early rust corrosion and transmission roughness need inspection.

  • Rear subframe, shock tower, and wheel-well rust/corrosion can compromise suspension mounting, especially in salt-belt climates.
  • Brake system failures including ABS malfunction and loss of braking power.
  • Electric power steering loss and sudden engine stalling reported.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Ford models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.