Ford Escape: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Ford Escape problems by model year, from 18,845 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2018 (90%, 1,592 drivetrain complaints), 2017 (85%, 2,239 drivetrain complaints) and 2019 (84%, 476 drivetrain complaints). 12 of the 14 Ford Escape years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 5 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2020 (26%) and 2021 (29%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2019 (84%) to 2020 (26%), down 58 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2017 drew the most drivetrain complaints (2,239 of 11,345 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Ford Escape year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Escape | high | 54% | 1,149 | 2,129 | 6/14 | 5 |
| 2011 Escape | high | 48% | 639 | 1,353 | 9/14 | 3 |
| 2012 Escape | high | 43% | 250 | 617 | 11/14 | 2 |
| 2013 Escape | very high | 68% | 1,817 | 2,754 | 4/14 | 18 |
| 2014 Escape | very high | 67% | 1,354 | 2,087 | 5/14 | 16 |
| 2015 Escape | high | 51% | 540 | 1,105 | 8/14 | 9 |
| 2016 Escape | high | 52% | 571 | 1,133 | 7/14 | 4 |
| 2017 Escape | very high | 85% | 2,239 | 2,687 | 2/14 | 4 |
| 2018 Escape | very high | 90% | 1,592 | 1,801 | 1/14 | 4 |
| 2019 Escape | very high | 84% | 476 | 588 | 3/14 | 3 |
| 2020 Escape | no elevated signal | 26% | 464 | 1,819 | 14/14 | 23 |
| 2021 Escape | no elevated signal | 29% | 97 | 348 | 13/14 | 19 |
| 2022 Escape | elevated | 36% | 103 | 302 | 12/14 | 19 |
| 2023 Escape | high | 45% | 54 | 122 | 10/14 | 11 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ford Escape years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Ford Escape engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns on the Ford Escape involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 73 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2010 | 10V222000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2010 |
| Jul 2012 | 12V336000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2013 |
| Sep 2012 | 12V431000 | engine and engine cooling | 2013 |
| Dec 2012 | 12V551000 | engine and engine cooling | 2013 |
| Nov 2013 | 13V583000 | engine | 2013 |
| Nov 2013 | 13V584000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2013 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V525000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery | 2014 |
| Jan 2015 | 15V005000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2014 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V777000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2010–2012 |
| Mar 2017 | 17V209000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2014 |
| Jul 2018 | 18V471000 | power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift | 2013–2014 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V550000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2020 |
| Jan 2021 | 21V011000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2020 |
| Aug 2021 | 21V625000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module | 2021 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V191000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication | 2020–2022 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V254000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2015 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V413000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2013–2019 |
| Jul 2022 | 22V484000 | engine and engine cooling | 2020–2022 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V859000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system | 2020–2023 |
| May 2023 | 23V380000 | engine | 2020–2023 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V187000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system | 2022 |
| May 2024 | 24V330000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2020–2022 |
| Aug 2024 | 24V634000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors | 2023 |
| Feb 2025 | 25V133000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2022 |
| Mar 2025 | 25V165000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system | 2020–2022 |
| May 2025 | 25V345000 | engine | 2020–2023 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V372000 | engine | 2023 |
| Jul 2025 | 25V467000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system | 2020–2022 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V685000 | equipment: electrical: engine block heater | 2020–2022 |
| Jan 2026 | 26V011000 | equipment: electrical: engine block heater | 2013–2019 |
43 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2010 | 10E043000 | equipment | 2010 |
| Jul 2012 | 12V319000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2013 |
| Mar 2013 | 13V085000 | latches/locks/linkages | 2013 |
| Apr 2014 | 14V164000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2013–2014 |
| May 2014 | 14V237000 | air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive | 2013–2014 |
| May 2014 | 14V239000 | structure: body: door | 2013–2014 |
| May 2014 | 14V284000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2010–2011 |
| Jul 2014 | 14V403000 | visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2014 |
| Aug 2014 | 14V495000 | electrical system: wiring | 2013–2014 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V597000 | air bags | 2013–2014 |
| Jun 2015 | 15E045000 | suspension: front: wheel bearing | 2010–2012 |
| Jun 2015 | 15V406000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2014–2015 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V436000 | electrical system: ignition | 2015 |
| Dec 2015 | 15V813000 | electrical system: wiring | 2013 |
| Aug 2016 | 16V617000 | visibility: power window devices and controls | 2017 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V643000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2013–2015 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V398000 | air bags: knee bolster | 2016 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V472000 | seat belts | 2014–2015 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V803000 | air bags: side/window | 2018 |
| Feb 2018 | 18V104000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2018 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V633000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2020 |
| Jun 2020 | 20V331000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2013–2015 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V415000 | air bags: side/window | 2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V575000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2020 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V635000 | electrical system: body control module/bcm | 2020 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V155000 | tires | 2019 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V869000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2021 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V922000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2021–2022 |
| Mar 2022 | 22V149000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2021–2022 |
| May 2022 | 22V331000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery | 2020 |
| Jul 2023 | 23V506000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2023 |
| Jun 2024 | 24V440000 | forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control | 2023 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V852000 | equipment: other: labels | 2020–2023 |
| Dec 2024 | 24V954000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm) | 2020–2023 |
| May 2025 | 25V315000 | back over prevention: software | 2023 |
| May 2025 | 25V343000 | electrical system | 2023 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V442000 | back over prevention: software | 2020–2022 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V693000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads | 2020 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V695000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2015–2016 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V829000 | structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments | 2020–2022 |
| Mar 2026 | 26V117000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor | 2020–2022 |
| Mar 2026 | 26V123000 | back over prevention: software | 2020–2022 |
| Jun 2026 | 26V374000 | visibility: power window devices and controls | 2017 |
What the free pages leave out on the Ford Escape
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Ford Escape
What are the worst years for the Ford Escape?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ford Escape years are the 2018 (90% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2017 (85% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2019 (84% of relevant complaints, very high). 12 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Ford Escape?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Ford Escape years are the 2020 (26%) and the 2021 (29%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Ford Escape have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 11,345 of 18,783 relevant NHTSA complaints (60%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Is the Ford Escape reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 12 of 14 Ford Escape years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 60% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ford Escape?
Yes. NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ford Escape years we track, out of 73 in total: 25V467000 (Jul 2025, 2020–2022), 25V685000 (Oct 2025, 2020–2022), 26V011000 (Jan 2026, 2013–2019), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.