The Lemon IndexFord Escape.
The best Ford Escape years are 2019, 2004, 2015. Years to avoid: 2010, 2020, 2002. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 153, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2001 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2019.
Compare the Ford Escape.
vs Toyota RAV4 · vs Honda CR-V · vs Nissan Rogue · vs Chevrolet Equinox · vs Jeep Grand Cherokee · vs Ford Explorer · vs Toyota Highlander · vs Jeep Wrangler
Quick answers.
Is the Ford Escape a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 153; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2019 and the worst is 2010.
What are the best Ford Escape years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2019, 2004, 2015.
What Ford Escape years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2010, 2020, 2002.
How many recalls does the Ford Escape have?
226 safety recalls across the 25 model years we track. Most: 2020 (24), 2022 (21), 2021 (20). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Ford Escape problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, transmission & drivetrain and speed control most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 263 | 2.6× the average car's complaints | 577 | engine (42%) | 15 | — | 18–23 |
| 2002 | 281 | 2.8× the average car's complaints | 475 | engine (50%) | 10 | — | 18–22 |
| 2003 | 106 | about average | 145 | speed control (23%) | 9 | — | 18–22 |
| 2004 | 51 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 80 | speed control (28%) | 8 | — | 18–22 |
| 2005 | 127 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 150 | airbags (15%) | 5 | — | 17–29 |
| 2006 | 95 | about average | 104 | service brakes, hydraulic (21%) | 5 | — | 19–29 |
| 2007 | 61 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 90 | service brakes, hydraulic (23%) | 4 | — | 19–30 |
| 2008 | 227 | 2.3× the average car's complaints | 352 | transmission & drivetrain (38%) | 5 | — | 19–32 |
| 2009 | 103 | about average | 143 | transmission & drivetrain (38%) | 3 | — | 20–32 |
| 2010 | 516 | 5.2× the average car's complaints | 1,094 | speed control (43%) | 5 | — | 20–32 |
| 2011 | 189 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 560 | speed control (40%) | 3 | ★★★☆☆ | 20–32 |
| 2012 | 58 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 168 | speed control (29%) | 2 | ★★★☆☆ | 20–32 |
| 2013 | 155 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 557 | engine (45%) | 18 | ★★★★☆ | 24–26 |
| 2014 | 107 | about average | 358 | engine (32%) | 16 | ★★★★☆ | 24–26 |
| 2015 | 57 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 173 | engine (18%) | 9 | ★★★★☆ | 23–26 |
| 2016 | 74 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 226 | transmission & drivetrain (22%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 23–26 |
| 2017 | 106 | about average | 345 | engine (43%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 23–26 |
| 2018 | 57 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 165 | engine (50%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 23–26 |
| 2019 | 45 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 114 | engine (37%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 23–26 |
| 2020 | 495 | 5× the average car's complaints | 876 | body structure (53%) | 24 | ★★★★★ | 26–41 |
| 2021 | 192 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 291 | body structure (33%) | 20 | ★★★★★ | 26–41 |
| 2022 | 177 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 298 | engine (29%) | 21 | ★★★★★ | 26–41 |
| 2023 | 80 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 137 | electrical (45%) | 11 | ★★★★★ | 26–40 |
| 2024 | 70 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 88 | electrical (41%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 26–39 |
| 2025 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 31 | electrical (32%) | 10 | ★★★★★ | 26–40 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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