2026 Ford Escape
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 2 of 4 complaints (50%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 27 in 2025 to 4 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,600–2,400 | 1,550–2,400 | 1,550–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–39 | 26–40 | 26–40 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–42 / 31–36 | 23–42 / 31–37 | 23–42 / 31–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 225–341 | 225–336 | 225–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 86 | 27 | 4 | |
| Recalls issued | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 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 2026 Ford Escape have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ford Escape get?
EPA rates it 26–40 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Ford Escape?
EPA estimates $1,550–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| 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 Gas and Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 42 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | $1,550 (low) | 222 g/mi |
| 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) | 342 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 | $2,250 | 317 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) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 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 (3)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL · Campaign 26V301000 · May 13, 2026
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 15, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V863.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY · Campaign 26V091000 · Feb 18, 2026
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 · Campaign 25V862000 · Dec 12, 2025
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.