2015–2026 · 12 model years · 104 recalls
Avoid the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Ford Escape: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2024.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $8,274 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $5,931 over 5 years. 4 recalls, 2,704 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $7,313 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $5,310 over 5 years. 4 recalls, 1,826 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $4,568 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,774 over 5 years. 23 recalls, 1,619 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $4,463 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $2,932 over 5 years. 3 recalls, 599 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $4,191 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $2,015 over 5 years. 4 recalls, 1,177 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $4,056 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $2,031 over 5 years. 9 recalls, 1,135 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,472 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $574 over 5 years. 8 recalls, 77 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd gen | 2015–2019 | 8/100 | Well below average |
| 4th gen | 2020–2024 | 38/100 | Below average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape | Not rated yet | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| 2025 Escape | Not rated yet | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| 2024 Escape | 64/100 · Above average | 77 | 8 | 30 |
| 2023 Escape | 41/100 · About average | 102 | 11 | 30 |
| 2022 Escape | 39/100 · Below average | 236 | 19 | 30 |
| 2021 Escape | 34/100 · Below average | 352 | 19 | 30 |
| 2020 Escape | 10/100 · Well below average | 1,619 | 23 | 30 |
| 2019 Escape | 10/100 · Well below average | 599 | 3 | 26 |
| 2018 Escape | 1/100 · Well below average | 1,826 | 4 | 26 |
| 2017 Escape | 0/100 · Well below average | 2,704 | 4 | 26 |
| 2016 Escape | 12/100 · Well below average | 1,177 | 4 | 26 |
| 2015 Escape | 15/100 · Well below average | 1,135 | 9 | 26 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Avoid the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Ford Escape: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2024.
The 2024 scores best for reliability (64/100) of the years we rate.
The 2020, with 23 recalls on record with NHTSA.