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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

Electrical System complaints

37 reports
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500 miles · Aug 22, 2019
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING MALFUNCTIONED. THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO VEHICLES NEARBY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE CONTACT'S VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING MALFUNCTIONED. THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO VEHICLES NEARBY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BRAKES ACTIVATED AGAIN WITH NO VEHICLE NEARBY. SUMMERVILLE FORD (9700 DORCHESTER RD, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29485, (843) 873-3550) COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DROPPED OFF THE KEY AND WAS PROVIDED AN ULTIMATUM OF GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR GETTING A NEW VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ODI #11245674

3,000 miles · Jul 2, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING A LOCAL INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH, OUR NEWLY PURCHASED (3,000 MILES) 2019 FORD ESCAPE SEL SPORT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND PULL OFF THE ROAD WHILE TRAFFIC WAS WHIZZING BY US AT BREAKNECK SPEED. TURNS OUT THAT PART OF THE W…

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WHILE DRIVING A LOCAL INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH, OUR NEWLY PURCHASED (3,000 MILES) 2019 FORD ESCAPE SEL SPORT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND PULL OFF THE ROAD WHILE TRAFFIC WAS WHIZZING BY US AT BREAKNECK SPEED. TURNS OUT THAT PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAD EITHER LOOSENED ON ITS OWN OR WAS NEVER PROPERLY SECURED FROM THE FACTORY. SO, THE SERPENTINE BELT MANAGED TO CLIP THIS WIRING HARNESS WHICH, IN TURN, PULLED THE HARNESS FROM ITS SOCKET WHILE STARTING TO GRADUALLY SHRED THE SERPENTINE BELT. INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING CREATED A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN AND/OR ISSUE A RECALL ASAP SINCE IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ONE OTHER INCIDENT SIMILAR TO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11228943

3,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, GAUGES, AND DISPLAY SCREENS WENT OUT. THE GAUGE NEEDLES RETURNED TO THEIR 'HOME' POSITIONS. THERE WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN THAT SAID: NETWORK COMMUNICATION FAILURE. WORRIED, I TOOK THE NEXT AVAI…

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WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, GAUGES, AND DISPLAY SCREENS WENT OUT. THE GAUGE NEEDLES RETURNED TO THEIR 'HOME' POSITIONS. THERE WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN THAT SAID: NETWORK COMMUNICATION FAILURE. WORRIED, I TOOK THE NEXT AVAILABLE EXIT AND FOUND A PARKING LOT TO INVESTIGATE. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, FIGURING THAT IF I COMPLETELY SHUT THE CAR DOWN THE SYSTEM WOULD SOMEHOW CORRECT ITSELF AFTER A 'REBOOT' OF THE THE PCM AND BCM. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 'SMART KEYLESS START SYSTEM' BUT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I WOULD TRY PUSHING THE BUTTON. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR OPERATED PROPERLY AFTER THE SYMPTOMS COMMENCED I FIND IT DOUBTFUL THAT ALL OF THE CAR'S SAFETY FEATURES WOULD HAVE OPERATED AS DESIGNED, IF NEEDED. IF I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO IN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS WOULD THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WORK PROPERLY AND DEPLOY THE APPLICABLE AIR BAGS??? WOULD THE 'AUTO FUEL PUMP SHUTDOWN' DO ITS JOB IF NEEDED??? ALSO, WHAT IF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AT THIS TIME AND I COULD NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR??? NOT SAFE!!!

NHTSA ODI #11209894

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

800 miles · May 8, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND SHUT OFF AGAIN AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ISLAND FORD (3698 RT 9 SOUTH OLD, BRIDGE, NJ) AND UNKNOWN PINS WERE TIGHTENED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND LATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND SHUT OFF AGAIN AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ISLAND FORD (3698 RT 9 SOUTH OLD, BRIDGE, NJ) AND UNKNOWN PINS WERE TIGHTENED. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE AND LATER PARKING IT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

NHTSA ODI #11206220

800 miles · Apr 23, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

I BOUGHT THE CAR MARCH 20TH BRAND NEW. ON APRIL 14TH I WAS DRIVING IT HOME AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND WHEN I FINALLY DID IT WOULDN'T MOVE AND I COULD NOT SHUT IT OFF. THIS WENT ON FOR 2 AND A HALF HOU…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR MARCH 20TH BRAND NEW. ON APRIL 14TH I WAS DRIVING IT HOME AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND WHEN I FINALLY DID IT WOULDN'T MOVE AND I COULD NOT SHUT IT OFF. THIS WENT ON FOR 2 AND A HALF HOURS. I FINALLY GOT IT HOME (DRIVEN BY MY HUSBAND) AND THE NEXT MORNING (MONDAY) WE GOT IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD MONDAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONTO THE FLATBED TRUCK. WE PUT IN A CLAIM TO FORD HEADQUARTERS AND APRIL 22ND FORD INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT BUY BACK OR REFUND ME THE MONEY FOR THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 30 DAYS. WE WERE NOT GIVEN A REASON FOR THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED US ON FRIDAY (APRIL 19TH) THAT THEY TOUCHED A FUSE BOX" AND NOW IT IS WORKING. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR FOR ME TO DRIVE. I WAS ON A CITY STREET DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STOPPED SUDDENLY AND LOST ALL POWER. I WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11203056

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems