Owner-complaint totals flag the 2013, 2017, 2014, and 2010 Ford Escape for extra scrutiny—but they do not prove those years are the least reliable or that any individual Escape is a bad buy. In Oil & Miles’ summary of NHTSA records, checked October 2, 2026, those model years had the most complaint reports. Because the counts are not failure rates and are not adjusted for sales, mileage, or time on the road, use them as inspection context, not a verdict.
Which Ford Escape years should you inspect most carefully?
Oil & Miles’ summary of NHTSA owner complaints, checked October 2, 2026, lists these four model years at the top. Its underlying complaint file is dated August 25, 2026.
| Model year | Complaint reports | Leading reported system |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2,744 | Engine (46%) |
| 2017 | 2,663 | Engine (58%) |
| 2014 | 2,075 | Engine (35%) |
| 2010 | 2,068 | Throttle and speed control (27%) |
These are complaint-report totals, not rates of failure among vehicles sold. They are not adjusted for sales volume, age, mileage, or other differences between vehicles, and newer model years have had less time to accumulate reports. The figures therefore support a closer look at these years, not a blanket instruction to avoid every example. Oil & Miles’ Ford Escape complaint and recall summary explains that the counts cannot establish a most-reliable year.
What the leading-system figures can—and cannot—tell you
The reported system is the category that appeared most often in that model year’s complaints; it is not a diagnosis or proof that the system commonly fails in every vehicle. Across all years in the summary, engine was the most-named system in 6,448 complaints and powertrain in 3,295. Owner-entered codes in the source’s detailed reads of 2013–2017 complaints include P0302, P0303, P0304, P0316, and P0301, which are misfire-related codes. Treat such codes as prompts for a mechanic to investigate, not as a diagnosis of a car you are considering.
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Are there Ford Escape years with fewer complaints?
Among older model years with at least five years on the road, 2021, 2019, and 2012 had relatively low complaint totals in the summary:
| Model year | Complaint reports | Leading reported system |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 333 | Body (19%) |
| 2019 | 575 | Engine (53%) |
| 2012 | 598 | Fuel and power delivery (23%) |
These counts do not establish that any of the three is the “most reliable” Escape. Mileage, condition, maintenance, usage, and the number of vehicles on the road are not controlled in this comparison. A well-documented, carefully inspected example is a better basis for a buying decision than a model-year ranking.
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How redesign years fit into the comparison
The complaint summary identifies the 2013 Escape as all-new and the 2020 Escape as redesigned. Their totals were 2,744 and 1,582 complaints, respectively. Those figures give buyers considering a first year of a design a reason to review records and inspection findings closely, but they do not show that a redesign caused complaints or account for how many vehicles were sold or driven.
What to know about Escape recalls and door-latch reports
Oil & Miles counted recall campaigns by model year as follows. Its campaign totals were read October 2, 2026; a campaign count is not the number of open recalls on a particular vehicle.
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| Model year | Recall campaigns counted |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 16 |
Recall applicability and remedy status are vehicle-specific and can change. Check the VIN with NHTSA’s recall lookup or Ford before buying.
Rearview-camera recall reported in March 2026
The Associated Press reported in March 2026 that some 2020–2022 Ford Escapes were included in a recall because the rearview-camera image could appear flipped or inverted. At the time of that report, a remedy for the Escape-related recall was still under development. Check the vehicle’s VIN for current applicability and remedy status rather than relying on the model year alone. Associated Press report on the camera recall.
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Door-latch investigation on 2020–2021 Escapes
In January 2024, the Associated Press reported that NHTSA closed its investigation into door-latch complaints without seeking a recall; Ford was conducting a customer-satisfaction program. This was not a recall. Ask the seller for documentation of any applicable service work and check that every door and latch operates correctly. Associated Press report on the investigation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to evaluate a used Ford Escape
- Get the VIN and check recalls. Use NHTSA’s recall lookup or Ford’s VIN tools to check current open recalls. Ask for records showing completed recall repairs and any applicable service-campaign work.
- Review the records. Look for maintenance, repair, and ownership documentation. Complaint totals cannot tell you how a specific vehicle was treated.
- Arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. Ask the mechanic to consider the vehicle’s model year, exact engine and drivetrain, reported concerns, maintenance history, and condition.
- Use a code reader only as a preliminary screen. A reader can show stored diagnostic codes, but it cannot find every fault, certify reliability, or replace an inspection. A code mentioned in an owner complaint is not a diagnosis of the vehicle you are viewing.
- Compare actual vehicles, not just year labels. Weigh documented maintenance and repairs, mileage, physical condition, recall completion, and inspection results together.
Sources and what the figures mean
The complaint and model-year recall figures above are from Oil & Miles’ summary of NHTSA records; the underlying complaint file is dated August 25, 2026, and recall counts were read October 2, 2026. Across 2010–2025, that summary lists 18,302 complaints. Its system-by-year figures cover categories with at least 10 complaints. NHTSA complaint records reflect reports submitted by vehicle owners, not a controlled count of failures across all Escapes.
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The Associated Press reports provide context for the camera recall and door-latch investigation; neither establishes the status of a particular vehicle today. Confirm vehicle-specific recall and repair information by VIN.
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