Ford ESCAPE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27,254 owner complaints analyzed
95 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 17,370 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7,134 of 27,254 complaints (26.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4,314 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 3,180 | 11.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3,025 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2,476 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1,236 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 442 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 7134 |
| Power Train | 4063 |
| Steering | 3821 |
| Electrical System | 2254 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2136 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2088 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1818 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1695 |
Engine: 7,134; Power Train: 4,063; Steering: 3,821; Electrical System: 2,254; Vehicle Speed Control: 2,136; Unknown Or Other: 2,088; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1,818; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1,695
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2033 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2794 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3477 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3225 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4205 |
| 150,000 and above | 1636 |
Under 25,000: 2,033; 25,000 to 49,999: 2,794; 50,000 to 74,999: 3,477; 75,000 to 99,999: 3,225; 100,000 to 149,999: 4,205; 150,000 and above: 1,636
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4,205). 9,884 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 183 |
| 2002 | 345 |
| 2003 | 297 |
| 2004 | 273 |
| 2005 | 240 |
| 2006 | 153 |
| 2007 | 176 |
| 2008 | 189 |
| 2009 | 278 |
| 2010 | 418 |
| 2011 | 388 |
| 2012 | 701 |
| 2013 | 2416 |
| 2014 | 1597 |
| 2015 | 1126 |
| 2016 | 1090 |
| 2017 | 1244 |
| 2018 | 1675 |
| 2019 | 1621 |
| 2020 | 1338 |
| 2021 | 1048 |
| 2022 | 1563 |
| 2023 | 2250 |
| 2024 | 2562 |
| 2025 | 2486 |
| 2026 | 1577 |
2000: 20; 2001: 183; 2002: 345; 2003: 297; 2004: 273; 2005: 240; 2006: 153; 2007: 176; 2008: 189; 2009: 278; 2010: 418; 2011: 388; 2012: 701; 2013: 2,416; 2014: 1,597; 2015: 1,126; 2016: 1,090; 2017: 1,244; 2018: 1,675; 2019: 1,621; 2020: 1,338; 2021: 1,048; 2022: 1,563; 2023: 2,250; 2024: 2,562; 2025: 2,486; 2026: 1,577
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4,314 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3,180 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3,025 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10786543 · 2015-10-27 (October 27, 2015)
WHEN FAN FOR CLIMATE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AT WHATEVER SPEED VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT WITH LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FIX COST JUST UNDER $800.00 !
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10786543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11155141 · 2018-11-30 (November 30, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 6 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AND USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE VEHICLE SAFELY INTO THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PREFERRED FORD (1401 S BEACON BLVD, GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO DID NOT ASSIST.…
Owner-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001900 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED OUT LOSING STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. DEALER REPROGRAMMED PCM AND REPLACED EEC POWER RELAY PER TSB. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 9,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002865 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS - GOING DOWNHILL AT 35MPH VEHICLE STALLED, LOSS OF PS/PB, HEADLIGHTS/RADIO REMAINED ON, ENGINE/OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED - VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM, INDICATED THAT VEHICLE "STARTED RIGHT UP" - 1 WK LATER, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, SAME AS BEFORE, THIS TIME SHUT OFF VEHICLE COMPLETELY AND VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN - TODAY SEATBELT LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND BELLS WERE RINGING THOUGH DRIVER WAS SEATBELTED. VEHICLE DID NOT STALL DURING THIS EPISODE. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, I DO NOT FEEL SAF…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007283 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
NAR 02/13/2003. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT TO DRIVE FROM OVER DRIVE, THE VENTS AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED TO FROST. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE RELAY ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007492 · 2002-10-10 (October 10, 2002)
I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE CALLED AND SAID THE SNAP RING POPPED OUT OF THE SERVO CASE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THEY REPAIRED IT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED, STARTED HOME AND GOT 15 MILES WHEN IT BLEW AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK AND THEY TRIED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT , NEEDED A NEW TRANNY. I QUESTIONED THEM THAT A 51,000 MILES, THE PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER. I TOOK IT SOME WHERE ELSE TO BE REPAIRED.…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003239 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
VEHICLE ENGINE REVS/SEARCHES/HUNTS, WHILE DRIVING STEADY AND MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED ON A LEVEL ROAD, GOING DOWN OR UP A HILL AND THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT BEING PLAYED WITH. INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE HANDLING SEEMS TO LOSE THE POWER ASSIST - TURNING ALL OF THE SUDDEN REQUIRES MORE MUSCLE EFFORT - AND HANDLING GETS VERY STIFF. SUV HAS STALLED 5 TIMES ALREADY AND DEALER STILL UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME - I LOST THE STEERING, THE BRAKES, THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. ESCAPE IS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SUV - UNABL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045614 · 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)
CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING OR SYMPTOM THAT AN OCCURRENCE IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS SHUTDOWN OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND AT VARYING SPEEDS. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND PROBRABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SOME IGNITION COMPONET.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024690 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE IDLE GAUGE KEPT DROPPING AND GOING UP UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY DROPPED BELOW 1, THEN IT CUT OUT IMMEDIATELY . THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE GAS TANK, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A RAT HAD BITTEN THROUGH THE WIRES. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR THE STALLING PROBLEMS AND GAS FUMES WERE COMING THROUGH…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,268 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053185 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 2001 FORD ESCAPE AT AVERAGE 50-60 MPH SPEED OK. UPON DECELERATION, CAR DIES. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY (DIED 3 MORE TIMES). DEALER IS SAYING 2 CYLINDER HEADS NEED TO BE REPLACED; 2 CAMSHAFTS AND BASICALLY NEED NEW ENGINE INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE. DEALER HAS REQUESTED MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS (I HAVE SUPPLIED ALL). NOW WAITING TO SEE IF FORD WILL ASSIST IN REPAIRS. HAVE CALLED FORD 6 TIMES TO FILE COMPLAINT STATING SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE NEW IN DEC 2000, HAVE HAD NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED (WARRANTY COVERED); NEW FUEL PUMP (WARR…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,612 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053185 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 18; 2014: 16; 2015: 9; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2019: 3; 2020: 23; 2021: 19; 2022: 19; 2023: 11; 2024: 8; 2025: 9; 2026: 2
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | 0 | Not available |
| 2001 | 996 | 13 | +13 |
| 2002 | 1,027 | 8 | -5 |
| 2003 | 558 | 7 | -1 |
| 2004 | 499 | 6 | -1 |
| 2005 | 1,394 | 4 | -2 |
| 2006 | 464 | 3 | -1 |
| 2007 | 254 | 2 | -1 |
| 2008 | 1,974 | 3 | +1 |
| 2009 | 1,692 | 1 | -2 |
| 2010 | 2,068 | 3 | +2 |
| 2011 | 1,316 | 2 | -1 |
| 2012 | 598 | 1 | -1 |
| 2013 | 2,746 | 18 | +17 |
| 2014 | 2,079 | 16 | -2 |
| 2015 | 1,083 | 9 | -7 |
| 2016 | 1,107 | 4 | -5 |
| 2017 | 2,672 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1,785 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019 | 581 | 3 | -1 |
| 2020 | 1,593 | 23 | +20 |
| 2021 | 338 | 19 | -4 |
| 2022 | 229 | 19 | 0 |
| 2023 | 95 | 11 | -8 |
| 2024 | 76 | 8 | -3 |
| 2025 | 22 | 9 | +1 |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | -7 |