Escape (1st)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
3.0-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Ford Escape Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
2.3-I4-Hybrid
2.3L 4-cyl / 155 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.3-I4-Gas
2.3L 4-cyl / 153 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 7 additional engine variants with limited data
4.9-I6-Gas
4.9L 6-cyl / 145 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.5-I4-Gas
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
7.0-V8-Gas
7.0L 8-cyl / 213 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.4T-V8-Gas
5.4L 8-cyl Turbo / 380 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cyl / 155 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.6-I4-Gas
1.6L 4-cyl / 178 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.9-I6-FlexFuel
4.9L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2001-2007 Ford Escape
That's about 3.2x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Above peer average — but high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints, so check the issue mix below before drawing conclusions.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 67 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2005] I had the hybrid battery replaced by Bill Brandt Ford in Brentwood California. A few days after having it replaced. The car broke down on a very dangerous highway. I had the car towed back to Bill Brandt Ford. They replaced the hybrid battery again. I received the car back on May 9. The car just broke down again today. Roughly Bill Brandt Ford had my car for over 250 days. I found a recall one for
- [2005] The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was an unknown warning light with a red triangle displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for approximately 15-30 minutes before the vehicle would restart and function correctly. The contact replac
- [2005] THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT PUMP THAT COOLS THE HYBRID BATTERY IS FAULTY WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR TWO YEARS AND THE CAR CONTINUALLY BREAKS DOWN ON TRIPS. WE HAVE SPENT OVER 1500 FIXING IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND FORD REFUSES TO HONOR BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS NOT ON CURRENTLY. AS SOON AS MY SON DRIVES SOMEWHERE THE LIGHT GOES ON AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. HE CURRENTLY IS IN GRA
Electric Propulsion
- [2005] EARLY SEPT 2014 - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT ISSUES OF "LIMP HOME" MODE. ORIGINALLY, ISSUE BEGAN WITH SMALL "SURGES" IN ACCELERATION THAT I BELIEVED WERE SIMPLY RELATED TO THE HYBRID ENGINE KICKING INTO GEAR. THEN EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BUT RANDOM "LIMP HOME MODE" EVENTS, PARTICULARLY WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHTS OR ACCELERATING (LIGHT-MOD PRESSURE) FROM A FULL STOP. CAR WOULD FLASH "SERVICE ENG
- [2005] WHILE TRAVELING IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 2 AM, THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AS THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER WAS REDUCED TO MINIMAL POWER GIVEN BY THE ELECTRIC MOTOR. THIS CAUSED AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED ON A VERY DANGEROUS OVERPASS CURVE OF THE FREEWAY AND NEARLY CAUSED TWO VEHICLES IN THE IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY TO COLLIDE WITH MY VEHICLE AS SPEED RAPIDLY
- [2006] MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE EXTERNAL HYBRID INVERTER COOLING PUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5+ TIMES,USUALLY DURING 70 DEGREE (F) + TEMPS. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP & FORD MOTOR CORP RAN THE VIN,WITH NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
High-Voltage Battery
- [2005] RIGHT REAR WELL CORRODED EXTENSIVELY. 4 INCH HOLE EXPOSING HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY IN TRUNK TO WATER, SALT, SNOW. DEALER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RISK OF COLLAPSE OF STRUTS AND RISK OF EXPLOSION/FIRE FROM HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY EXPOSURE. QUOTES MORE THAN $4000 TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 59,510 MILES. REAR BUMPER AND REAR SUSPENSION BOTH COMPROMISED. REAR BUMPER HAS NO SU
- [2005] WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP AND DECELERATING BELOW 40MPH THEY GASOLINE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AS THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING CHARGES THE HYBRID HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. ON A RARE OCCASION DURING THIS BRAKING, THE GASOLINE ENGINE WILL TURN BACK ON GIVING A BRIEF SURGE WHICH REQUIRES PRESSING THE BRAKE HARDER. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
- [2005] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT A RED TRIANGLE ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE TO STOP SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERVICE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED
Regenerative Braking
- [2005] WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP AND DECELERATING BELOW 40MPH THEY GASOLINE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AS THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING CHARGES THE HYBRID HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. ON A RARE OCCASION DURING THIS BRAKING, THE GASOLINE ENGINE WILL TURN BACK ON GIVING A BRIEF SURGE WHICH REQUIRES PRESSING THE BRAKE HARDER. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
- [2005] 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. PROBLEM IS FAILURE OF HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM AS DESCRIBED IN FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 05-8-5 (AUGUST 5, 2005) (NHTSA ID #10017553). PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED SPORADICALLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT WITHOUT ANY KNOWN INCIDENT TO HAVE TRIGGERED THE PROBLEM. REPAIR HAS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM'S HYDRAULIC CONTROL
- [2006] I HAVE THE HYBRID VERSION OF ESCAPE. I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY WHEN THE ABS YELLOW LIGHT AND BRAKE RED LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I THEN PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN AS IT SHOULD THAT'S WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE CAR SLOW DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD READ REGEN BRAKES DISABLE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTART
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2005] THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED WARNINGS ON THE DASH AND THE INFORMATION PANEL STATING TO SLOW TO A STOP AND SERVICE THE BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING OPERATED NORMALLY. AFTER GETTING HOME AND RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS EVERYTHING CAME BACK NORMAL. LATER THAT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN WITH THE SAME WARNINGS AND IT
Thermal Events
- [2006] MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT 8 HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS LAST USED. *TR
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Escape, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2001-2007 Ford Escape
On a used 2001-2007 Ford Escape, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (1,202), the body and structure (1,014) and the suspension (950). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,202 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Ford Escape about the engine, all engines combined.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 1,014 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Ford Escape about the body and structure.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 950 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Ford Escape about the suspension.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 854 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Ford Escape about the brakes.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 793 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Ford Escape about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Drive slowly in a parking lot and note each time the engine starts and stops.Costly repair. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Ford Escape (hybrid and electric versions only) about the hybrid system.
Recalls (21)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Show 16 older recalls
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM THE CAP, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
ON CERTAIN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID VEHICLES, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND MAY FRACTURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A POST WITHIN THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE COVERS COULD FRACTURE, WHICH COULD AFFECT LATCH FUNCTION, RESULTING IN EITHER A "NO LATCH" OR "PARTIAL LATCH" CONDITION. IN THE "PARTIAL LATCH" CONDITION, THE BUCKLE TONGUE CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE AND APPEAR TO BE ENGAGED, BUT WILL RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE WITHOUT THE PUSH BUTTON BEING DEPRESSED WHEN A RELATIVELY LOW LOAD IS APPLIED, SUCH AS WHEN AN OCCUPANT MOVES SLIGHTLY IN THE SEAT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE CAN DISENGAGE DUE TO A BROKEN BALL SOCKET.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE O-RING SEALS IN THE FUEL LINE CONNECTOR AT THE OUTLET END OF THE FUEL FILTER WERE DAMAGED WHEN THE LINE WAS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. IN SOME CASES, THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A FUEL ODOR, OR POSSIBLY IN FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE CONNECTION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME 4X2 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY BEEN BUILT WITH 4X4 REAR HUBS INSTEAD OF 4X2 HUBS. IF THE INCORRECT HUBS ARE INSTALLED ON A 4X2 VEHICLE, THE REAR WHEELS CAN LOOSEN, OR IN SOME CASES, SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CAN HAVE A CRACKED OR MISSING SPEED CONTROL CABLE SERVO CAP LOCATING TAB. THE LOCATING TAB COULD ENTER THE SERVO CLUTCH CAVITY AND INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO CLUTCH. ALSO, WATER COULD ENTER THOSE UNITS THAT CONTAIN A CRACKED OR MISSING SERVO CAP LOCATING TAB, EVENTUALLY CAUSING CORROSION THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE FUNCTION OF THE SPEED CONTROL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MIS-ASSEMBLED OR INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED NUT THAT ATTACHES THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE NUT COULD BE UPSIDE DOWN IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY, WHICH COULD OVERSTRESS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WHEN THE NUT IS TIGHTENED. IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN CRACKED DURING MANUFACTURE RESULTING IN THE NUT FRACTURING WHEN IT IS TIGHTENED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
All Generations
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2001-2007 Ford Escape complaints?
Owners have filed 5,755 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2007 Ford Escape. The systems they name most often are the engine, the body and trim and the suspension.
Is the 2001-2007 Ford Escape a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 5,755 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2007 Ford Escape. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2007 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA has 5,755 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2007 Ford Escape as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2001-2007 Ford Escape?
NHTSA lists 21 recalls covering some 2001-2007 Ford Escape vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Ford Escape?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the body and trim and the suspension, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Escape?
The 2007 Ford Escape received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (20.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,755 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.