The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 10 of 31 complaints (32%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 90 in 2024 to 31 in 2025.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 31
- Recall campaigns
- 10
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,550–$2,400
- Combined MPG
- 26–40
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,550–2,400 | 1,600–2,400 | 1,550–2,400 | 1,550–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–40 | 26–39 | 26–40 | 26–40 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–42 / 31–37 | 23–42 / 31–36 | 23–42 / 31–37 | 23–42 / 31–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 225–340 | 225–341 | 225–336 | 225–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 139 | 90 | 31 | 4 | |
| Recalls issued | 13 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Escape have?
10 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2025 Ford Escape?
Electrical: 10 of 31 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Ford Escape get?
EPA rates it 26–40 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 Ford Escape?
EPA estimates $1,550–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 42 mpg (high) | 36 mpg | 39 mpg | $1,600 | 225 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 8-spd | 3 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 27 mpg | 34 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 298 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 8-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 336 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 8-spd | 3 | 1.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 316 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 42 mpg (high) | 36 mpg | 39 mpg | $1,600 | 225 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 42 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | $1,550 (low) | 78 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (10)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
- Consequence
- An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- Consequence
- Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
- Consequence
- An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
- Consequence
- A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and Escape vehicles. The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control) or a loss of brake power assist.
- Consequence
- Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.
ENGINE
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
- Consequence
- An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
- Consequence
- An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Escape vehicles. The rearview camera may incorrectly display an inverted image when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- An inverted rearview camera image will not accurately display what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C08.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Bronco Sport, Escape, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" as well as FMVSS numbers 126, 108, 135, 138, 208, and 305.
- Consequence
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C02.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Escape vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the passenger side instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C38.