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2019 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

227 reports with mileage · 358 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 307 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports3 fire reports20 injury reports

Power Train complaints

125 reports
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5,000 miles · Dec 14, 2019
EnginePower Train

THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND MISSING AT 75 MPH WITH ABOUT 5000 MILES ON IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I HAD 3 TROUBLE CODES BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WERE. THEY REPROGRAMMED SOMETHING A GAVE ME THE CAR BACK A WEEK LATER. TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT I STARTED …

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THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND MISSING AT 75 MPH WITH ABOUT 5000 MILES ON IT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I HAD 3 TROUBLE CODES BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WERE. THEY REPROGRAMMED SOMETHING A GAVE ME THE CAR BACK A WEEK LATER. TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT I STARTED GETTING ANOTHER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE CODE P0420. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT OR HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT'S A US SPEC VEHICLE AND I'M IN EUROPE. I HAVE A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TO CLEAR THE CODE EVERY OTHER DAY. TO MAKE MATTERS WORST THE SMALL DOOR THAT COVERS THE ODB PORT WON'T CLOSE CORRECTLY. I'M SURE IT WASN'T DESIGNED TO BE OPENED EVERY OTHER DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11289056

1,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Power Train

INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE SHIFTIER FREELY MOVES BETWEEN ALL POSITIONS EXCEPT WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY FORWARD TO THE "PARK" POSITION. IT CAN EVENTUALLY BE MOVED FORWARD BY FIDDLING WITH IT OR ONE TIME A PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO FORCE IT. EVEN WHEN THIS IS DON…

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INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE SHIFTIER FREELY MOVES BETWEEN ALL POSITIONS EXCEPT WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY FORWARD TO THE "PARK" POSITION. IT CAN EVENTUALLY BE MOVED FORWARD BY FIDDLING WITH IT OR ONE TIME A PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO FORCE IT. EVEN WHEN THIS IS DONE, THE INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW A GEAR SELECTED SO IN THOSE CASES, IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER IT IS TRULY IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11257283

10,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Power Train

AT 10,000 MILES MY ESCAPE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. IT TAKES FOREVER FOR IT TO SHIFT BUT NO TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS ALSO GONE WAY DOWN AS A RESULT OF THIS. FORD CLAIMS IT'S FINE. BUT IT DOES IT OFTEN. ALSO WHEN THE ENGINE STOP IS ENGAGED AT STOP LIGHTS, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS START BACK UP AND I HAVE TO PUT…

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AT 10,000 MILES MY ESCAPE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. IT TAKES FOREVER FOR IT TO SHIFT BUT NO TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON. MY GAS MILEAGE HAS ALSO GONE WAY DOWN AS A RESULT OF THIS. FORD CLAIMS IT'S FINE. BUT IT DOES IT OFTEN. ALSO WHEN THE ENGINE STOP IS ENGAGED AT STOP LIGHTS, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS START BACK UP AND I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11232426

736 miles · May 8, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

I HAVE HAD MY FORD ESCAPE FOR JUST OVER 30 DAYS. ABOUT TWO WEEKS INTO OWNING IT, I HAD STOPPED BEHIND A VEHICLE. THE START/STOP ENGAGED AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE POWER TRAIN FAULT ILLUMINATED. IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED 3 WEEKS AFTER THE FIR…

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I HAVE HAD MY FORD ESCAPE FOR JUST OVER 30 DAYS. ABOUT TWO WEEKS INTO OWNING IT, I HAD STOPPED BEHIND A VEHICLE. THE START/STOP ENGAGED AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE POWER TRAIN FAULT ILLUMINATED. IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED 3 WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST TIME, AGAIN TODAY. THIS COULD CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES IF THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU DOES NOT STOP IN TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11206365

1,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. STEPS TO REPRODUCE ISSUE: KEYFOB IS INSIDE VEHICLE IN DRIVERS COAT POCKET, MOBILE PHONE IS INTERMITTENTLY CONNECTED TO VEHICLE VIA USB CORD, VEHICLE IS ON, ENGINE RUNNING, START/STOP IS ON, VEHICLE IS DRIVING THEN STOPS AT A STOPLIGHT, START/STOP ENGAGES AND IDLES ENGINE FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS. …

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VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. STEPS TO REPRODUCE ISSUE: KEYFOB IS INSIDE VEHICLE IN DRIVERS COAT POCKET, MOBILE PHONE IS INTERMITTENTLY CONNECTED TO VEHICLE VIA USB CORD, VEHICLE IS ON, ENGINE RUNNING, START/STOP IS ON, VEHICLE IS DRIVING THEN STOPS AT A STOPLIGHT, START/STOP ENGAGES AND IDLES ENGINE FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS. WHEN FOOT BRAKE IS RELEASED VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, INFOTAINMENT, ETC TURN OFF. TO RESTART VEHICLE TRANSMISSION MUST BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND VEHICLE ON/OFF BUTTON PRESSED. VEHICLE RESTARTS, POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION ERROR DISPLAYS AND INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE REBOOTING AND DISPLAYS WELCOME MESSAGE SUCH AS BEFORE IT WAS SET UP. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO DEALER; BLACKWELL FORD IN PLYMOUTH MI BOTH TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE ISSUE OR PULL DETAILED INFORMATION BEYOND GENERAL FAULT. DEALER PERFORMED 1265OD EEC SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS QUICK TEST, 1265OD45 ENGINE MODULE DIAGNOSTIC PIN POINT TEST, 12650DX1 EEC SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS QUICK TEST TWICE, ROAD TESTED, IDS TEST P164C, PPT AA IN PCED MANUAL, RESET KAM AND RETEST PASS, AND UPON REQUEST CHECKED THAT PCM FIRMWARE WAS THE LATEST VERSION. DEALER REQUESTED PERMISSION FOR EXTENDED MILEAGE TESTING WITH SKYTRACKER INSTALLED AFTER 2ND FAULT, PERMISSION WAS GIVEN. ISSUE OCCURS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30 DAYS DRIVING 2 TRIPS/DAY. ISSUE PRESENTS A HIGH AND SEVERE RISK OF FATAL INCIDENT BECAUSE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A GREEN LIGHT AND MAY BE REAR ENDED BY AN APPROACHING VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED. BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OFF, AIRBAGS AND OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT MAY NOT ACTIVATE INCREASING RISK OF FATAL INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW WITH 10 MILES RECORDED ON ODOMETER IN FEBRUARY OF 2019, AS OF APRIL 2019 THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. ONCE ON FEBRUARY 22ND AND ONCE ON APRIL 3RD.

NHTSA ODI #11194073

Official recalls

3

26V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

Jan 15, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod

Jun 10, 2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

21V155000 · Tires

Mar 10, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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