Its 3 recall campaigns is the fewest of the five model years we cover (2016–2020); the busiest has 23.
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Where complaints cluster
Complaints concentrate on the engine: 40% of the 599 on file. The top components are engine (241, of which 1 mentions a crash), power train (121, of which 6 mention a crash and 3 an injury) and engine and engine cooling (87). Across all 599 reports, 24 describe a crash, 3 a fire and 20 at least one injury.
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Complaints vs. other years
Its 599 complaints are the fewest of the 5 years we cover, even though newer years have had less time to collect reports.
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Recent reports
131 complaints (22% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the engine (69).
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Changes from 2018
The best combined rating for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder rises from 24 to 25 mpg; three recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, service brakes and tires).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (1.5-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 26 mpg combined, close to the median for the 2019 SUVs we cover (median 25 mpg across 49 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 23 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $2,470 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,790 in the thirstiest.
Body class
SUV
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Complaint trends
599 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Engine341 (57%)
Drivetrain121 (20%)
Other58 (10%)
Electrical28 (5%)
Steering16 (3%)
Visibility & lighting12 (2%)
Airbag9 (2%)
Fuel system7 (1%)
Brakes7 (1%)
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
Engine — 225 complaints (38%)
Power train — 79 complaints (13%)
Engine and engine cooling — 69 complaints (12%)
Power train,engine — 25 complaints (4%)
Unknown or other — 19 complaints (3%)
Engine and engine cooling,engine — 12 complaints (2%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“We received an "engine failure- service now" error message on our vehicle and our mechanic told us it is a known issue with this year, make,model, engine and to take it to the dealership for repair.”
“Transmission failed, Car would only move at high rpms, created a dangerous driving situation Known issue with Ford and the 6F35 transmission”
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator, the vehicle hesitated and was idling rough.”
Recalls
3 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)· 22V413000 · 2022-06-10
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. Additiona…
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.
Tires· 21V155000 · 2021-03-10
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 conditi…
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: 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.
Investigations
No NHTSA investigations on file for this model year.
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides
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