The most-reported Escape run is 1FMCU0GX3DU (2013 builds) with 79 complaints, 8.9× the typical run. Engine problems make up 27% of reports; 2017 is the worst model year at 23.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 98 recall campaigns for Escape model years 2001–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Escape has 2,909 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 1% of every Escape complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FMCU0GX3DU•••••• | 2013 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FMCU0GX2EU•••••• | 2014 | — | 4 | |
| 1FMCU0GXXDU•••••• | 2013 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1FMCU0GXXEU•••••• | 2014 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1FMCU0GD2HU•••••• | 2017 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FMCU0GX1DU•••••• | 2013 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1FMCU0GX0DU•••••• | 2013 | — | 3 | |
| 1FMCU9GX2DU•••••• | 2013 | — | 6 | |
| 1FMCU0GD5HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1FMCU0GX8EU•••••• | 2014 | — | 4 | |
| 1FMCU0GX2DU•••••• | 2013 | — | 6 | |
| 1FMCU0GX5DU•••••• | 2013 | — | 4 |
Each of the other 2,897 Escape runs has 61 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 716 Escape VINs so far, most often 2018, 2020, 2017 builds; 11 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Escape the gap between build years is 10.6×: a 2017 car draws 23.3 complaints per run, a 2007 one 2.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 74 | 34 | 5 | |
| 2023 | 97 | 59 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 230 | 83 | 7 | |
| 2021 | 341 | 92 | 9 | |
| 2020 | 1514 | 122 | 19 | |
| 2019 | 576 | 97 | 24 | |
| 2018 | 1780 | 101 | 26 | |
| 2017 | 2638 | 113 | 35 | |
| 2016 | 1125 | 117 | 37 | |
| 2015 | 1080 | 124 | 29 | |
| 2014 | 1999 | 131 | 43 | |
| 2013 | 2584 | 174 | 46 | |
| 2012 | 527 | 114 | 33 | |
| 2011 | 1183 | 143 | 35 | |
| 2010 | 1840 | 172 | 28 | |
| 2009 | 1507 | 154 | 30 | |
| 2008 | 2091 | 163 | 63 | |
| 2007 | 322 | 149 | 14 | |
| 2006 | 616 | 173 | 18 | |
| 2005 | 1305 | 240 | 30 |
Heaviest year here is 2017 at 23.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2023 at 1.6. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything Ford Escape owners report: Engine, 6,964 of 25,954 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 55 | 208 | |
| Power Train | 69 | 20 | |
| Steering | 109 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 37 | 126 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 | 70 | |
| Structure | 52 | 20 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 40 | 64 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 137 | 25 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 98 recall campaigns on the Ford Escape; the 6 below cover build years 2001 to 2024. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 15E045000 | Suspension:front:wheel Bearing | 2001–2012 |
| 15V606000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift | 2001–2008 |
| 26V011000 | Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater | 2013–2019 |
| 22V413000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) | 2013–2019 |
| 24V954000 | Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery:management System/energy Control Module (bms/becm) | 2020–2024 |
| 24V852000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2020–2024 |
The Escape against its rivals
The Escape draws 8.9 complaints per production run; the Honda CR-V 3.7, the Nissan Rogue 5.6 and the Hyundai Santa Fe 3.4. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape | 25,954 | 2,909 | 2.7% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Nissan Rogue | 6,889 | 1,234 | 4.5% | |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 7,010 | 2,088 | 4.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 25,954 reports on the Ford Escape, 2.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Escape | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 25,954 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 709 (2.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 491 (1.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 620 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 13 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 53% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Escape share of that is 25,954 complaints over 2,909 runs, 2.3% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Escape VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 25,954 NHTSA complaints from 2,909 Escape runs and 98 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Escape production run has the most complaints?
1FMCU0GX3DU, a 2013 build, with 79 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Escape run has 8.9.
Which Escape years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2017 is heaviest at 23.3 complaints per run and 2023 lightest at 1.6.
Does the Escape get more complaints than the Honda CR-V?
Yes: 8.9 complaints per production run for the Escape against 3.7 for the Honda CR-V.
How many Escape complaints involve a crash?
2.7% of 25,954 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 491 involved a fire.
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