Ford Escape other reported problems

2,094 of the 36,407 complaints filed about the Ford Escape are about the other systems — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2020.

2,094

Complaints

100%

Share of all complaints

43

Crashes

68

Fires

Other & Unspecified complaints by model year

2001 Escape 31 1.5%

Median failure at 103,000 miles

2002 Escape 35 1.7%

Median failure at 132,000 miles

2003 Escape 23 1.1%

Median failure at 117,000 miles

2004 Escape 15 0.7%

Median failure at 144,500 miles

2005 Escape 76 3.6%

Median failure at 107,000 miles

2006 Escape 12 0.6%

Median failure at 127,000 miles

2007 Escape 18 0.9%

Median failure at 63,280 miles

2008 Escape 55 2.6%

Median failure at 115,000 miles

2009 Escape 55 2.6%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

2010 Escape 93 4.4%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2011 Escape 56 2.7%

Median failure at 70,142 miles

2012 Escape 44 2.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2013 Escape 300 14.3%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2014 Escape 272 13.0%

Median failure at 69,400 miles

2015 Escape 140 6.7%

Median failure at 48,616 miles

2016 Escape 150 7.2%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2017 Escape 154 7.4%

Median failure at 24,993 miles

2018 Escape 103 4.9%

Median failure at 14,350 miles

2019 Escape 42 2.0%

Median failure at 6,350 miles

2020 Escape 307 14.7%

Median failure at 4,000 miles

2021 Escape 59 2.8%

Median failure at 50,871 miles

2022 Escape 24 1.1%
2023 Escape 9 0.4%
2024 Escape 16 0.8%
2025 Escape 5 0.2%

What owners said

2013 Ford Escape Louisville, KY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I recently purchased this vehicle for 2400.00 from a private seller. Within 3 weeks of very minor driving the car got 1 block from home and showed very hot and dumped all the coolant. And that was the 1st time it had been driven that day and it was 69 degrees outside. We let it sit for about a week and refilled the coolant. It drove great for about 2 weeks and then out of the blue it stalls while I'm driving it down the road. Had it towed home and my mechanic came and did a tune up. We had very fouled plugs and replaced all the coil wires. Put in a emissions treatment as well as checking everything. It started after killing my battery several times and seemed to be fine. Drove it around the block and it stalled after being fine only to find coolant in the spark plug areas and somehow my vin isn't listed in the recall. My mechanic said I should write you guys to let you know that I should be included as he believes that is exactly what happened to me. Please help. Thank you

NHTSA complaint #11763508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Escape San Tan Valley, AZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle had a transmission shutter and shakes the car. It also had a hard shift at 38mph. It happens daily, was not a one time Incentent

NHTSA complaint #11763277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Escape Ellijay, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have been sending email for 2 years. I did not know I could use this form. The back up camera that helps me back up does not operate. Sometimes it show upside down or is not available at all. This is a safety issue for me to operate my vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11762510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Escape Sidney, NE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving. It made a very loud noise, at first I thought a tire blew, but the tire light didn't come on. I could hear like a whistling coming from the top of the car and thought it must be the sunroof. It only cracked at that point, but lots of cracks. We were able to finish driving to our destination, but then when going to drive back home, it began to break and pieces fell onto the cover and some blew away also. There were no signs of issues before this happened.

NHTSA complaint #11762484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Escape Baltimore, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Escape, which currently has an unrepaired safety recall involving the fuel injectors. Recall Information: Manufacturer Recall Number: 25S76 NHTSA Recall Number: 25V467 Recall Date: July 16, 2025 According to the recall notice, a fuel injector may crack and cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine. The notice states that liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor near hot engine or exhaust components could ignite and cause an under-hood fire. I am very concerned because this recall has remained unrepaired since 2025, and as of September 2026, the remedy is still listed as unavailable. I am also currently experiencing a problem with my vehicle. Whenever I put gas in the vehicle, it has a difficult time starting afterward. The engine struggles to start after refueling, which is concerning to me because there is already an open recall involving the vehicle's fuel system. I understand that I cannot personally determine whether the starting problem is directly related to the recalled fuel injector issue. However, because the vehicle has an open fuel-system safety recall involving a potential fuel leak and fire risk, I believe these symptoms should be documented and investigated. I am concerned about continuing to operate this vehicle while the recall remains unrepaired, especially since the recall warns of the possibility of fuel or fuel vapor accumulating near hot engine components. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate my complaint and provide any available guidance regarding this unresolved recall and the symptoms I am experiencing. I would also like my concerns documented regarding the length of time this safety recall has remained without an available permanent repair.

NHTSA complaint #11762151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Escape Columbus, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle purchased from dealer with concealed total loss history and federal/state odometer fraud. Official state title records show the odometer froze at 73,539 miles between Tennessee title issued March 2025 and Ohio title issued January 2026. Live OBD-II scanner diagnostics confirm true vehicle mileage exceeds over 86,278 miles. Vehicle was in a severe crash (December 2024) resulting in a Junk/Salvage total loss declaration at auction, later fraudulently rebranded and re-titled as Rebuilt without mandatory consumer disclosure. Vehicle has undisclosed structural and mechanical damage presenting serious safety risks.

NHTSA complaint #11761195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Escape Fruit Heights, UT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I consistently get an AWD failure warning and then it turns off multiple different safety features of the car, traction control, hill assist, AWD, collision detection etc. I have seen a lot of people complain about the same thing. This is dangerous and ford needs to provide a solution to the bad ground of the AWD module.

NHTSA complaint #11761180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford Escape League City, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Been having a problem with the transmission where it would jump like it launched roller coaster and then slammed into parking because the emergency brake would just automatically engaged without even being touched

NHTSA complaint #11761239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Escape Bartlett, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am submitting a formal vehicle-safety complaint regarding my 2016 Ford Escape. My vehicle is included in NHTSA Safety Recall 25V695 / Ford Campaign 25SA9 concerning a rearview camera that may display a blank, distorted, or intermittent image while the vehicle is in reverse. My vehicle is experiencing camera unavailable and also no audio at all. I first reported this problem to Ford or an authorized Ford dealer about a year ago. I subsequently contacted Autonation ford wholfchase and Ford Motor Company. My Ford case number is CXHO8776034. Despite my repeated attempts to obtain the recall repair, the recall remains incomplete. Ford and/or its dealer has told me repair solution is not available. Audio issue and rearview backup camera are tendem issue. I asked while waiting on parts, they can fix audio issue to aid me in reverse.They said for audio issue you can leave your car with us however it will take about 4-6 week that I have to pay for. No loaner vehicle will be provided. Ford has not provided me with: A confirmed repair date A meaningful parts-delivery date An alternative Ford dealer capable of completing the recall A written plan for correcting the safety defect The underlying camera problem has existed for more than a year. I understand that the formal recall was issued on October 13, 2025, and that Ford originally anticipated the final remedy in June 2026. This is not merely a customer-service inconvenience. The defective rearview camera reduces my ability to see pedestrians, children, vehicles, and objects behind the vehicle while reversing, increasing the risk of a collision. I must continue operating a vehicle with a known and unrepaired safety defect through no fault of my own. My vehicle also has a complete loss of audio with rearview camera at the same time. The audio failure affects radio/parking-assistance tones/seatbelt warning/door warning/navigation prompts/other warning sounds.

NHTSA complaint #11760927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Escape Mt. Juliet, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle just hit 70k miles, started abruptly shaking between 30 and 50 mph. Torque converter is needing replaced. PCV hose has cracked and needs replaced. COOLANT DISAPPEARING DUE TO INTRUSION LEAK. Extremely costly repairs for a vehicle that isn't even close to 100k miles. Engine overheating on highway which is an extreme fire risk.

NHTSA complaint #11760923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford Escape Aurora, MN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I lock my car, whether from my phone, keys, or lock button inside car, the car will lock except the passenger side door which remains unlocked. So when the car is supposed to be locked and secured, anyone who wants can gain access in my car whenever they want. The car alarm will go off. But the door still opens. I believe this is a safety concern for my family and I while being in the vehicle and also a threat to valuables in my car. I haven’t had it looked at yet. But I want to report it.

NHTSA complaint #11759872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Escape Herriman, UT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Backup camera malfunction recall. Parts still not available after almost a year. Repair is taking too long. I need my backup camera.

NHTSA complaint #11759566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Escape Blythewood, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The transmission had to be replaced in 2024 and now the engine needs to be replaced in 2026. Ford customer service will not help with any of the repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11759309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Escape Laporte, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Door latch will not close

NHTSA complaint #11759278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Escape Freedom, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This recall has been going on for almost a year. And I was having problems for at least a year or two before that it’s to the point where we’re almost every time I try to use it it says unavailable. This is a safety concern as a backup camera is a vital safety feature. Ford is taking a long time to fix this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11759188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Escape St Paul Park, MN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sound control module, can't hook up phone for hands free driving

NHTSA complaint #11758870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford Escape Johnson City, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The ulpostery covering the sunroof fails to retract all the way causing a sag in the fabric blocking the view from the rearview mirror. Dealership states not covered under warranty

NHTSA complaint #11758655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Escape Santa Rosa, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear view camera is unavailable on center display screen. NHTSA Recall # 25v695

NHTSA complaint #11758357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Escape Kingsport, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

For a few days before the transmission went out, it was kinda spitting and shuddering, then the 4th day the transmission would not shift into gear and go. It would rev the engine all the way up and bark the tires even with my foot not on the gas or brake. It started jerking and just would not go. It would not accelerate at all.

NHTSA complaint #11757357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Escape Pooler, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

recall has remedy not available since Oct 13, 2025 for the rear view camera. This has been an issue in several models of Ford vehicles. I have a 2019 FORD MUSTANG that had the same issue and the recall was completed in 5 months. the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy for 10 months.

NHTSA complaint #11757001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Escape problems