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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

Steering complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2023
Steering

Steering. The steering would go out. Turning was very hard to do. Had the problem fixed at Ford deelership There was no warning to when this would happen. My car had under27,000 miles on it. This should not have happened with this few miles on my car.

NHTSA ODI #11525689

38,000 miles · Sep 7, 2022
Steering

The contact owns a 2019 Escape. The contact stated that soon after start of the vehicle, the power steering failed to operate as the "power steering assist, system malfunction" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact's husband arrived at the scene of the failure and managed to drive the vehicle home. Two da…

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The contact owns a 2019 Escape. The contact stated that soon after start of the vehicle, the power steering failed to operate as the "power steering assist, system malfunction" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact's husband arrived at the scene of the failure and managed to drive the vehicle home. Two days later, her husband used excessive effort to drive the vehicle to the dealer where a diagnostic test determined that the rack and pinion had caused of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #11483355

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2022
Steering

It was power steering failure while in operation. The vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic, who cleared the error code, but the problem persists. It is an internal failure in the power steering. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS EING DRIVEN.. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFF…

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It was power steering failure while in operation. The vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic, who cleared the error code, but the problem persists. It is an internal failure in the power steering. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS EING DRIVEN.. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING 5 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11447328

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2021
Steering

I was stopped at a traffic light and when I went to resume driving the steering froze and a steering assist warning light came on the dash. I turned the engine off and restarted the wheel turned and locked again. I then drove the car back to the dealer service(7/24/21). They said they would look at it on Monday7/26/21. Vehicle…

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I was stopped at a traffic light and when I went to resume driving the steering froze and a steering assist warning light came on the dash. I turned the engine off and restarted the wheel turned and locked again. I then drove the car back to the dealer service(7/24/21). They said they would look at it on Monday7/26/21. Vehicle has 83,000 miles. Purchased new at Mullinax Ford New Smyrna Beach.

NHTSA ODI #11426358

33,200 miles · Jan 13, 2021
EnginePower TrainSteering

2019 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM STEERING WHEEL SHAKES/VIBRATES HEAVY & MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM CAR (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A BAD LOUD MUFFLER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH & 45MPH WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS LEVELED AT SPEED AND ALSO DOES THE SAME WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT THE SAME SPEEDS. ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1 & 2 GEARS INTERMITTE…

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2019 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM STEERING WHEEL SHAKES/VIBRATES HEAVY & MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM CAR (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A BAD LOUD MUFFLER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH & 45MPH WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS LEVELED AT SPEED AND ALSO DOES THE SAME WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT THE SAME SPEEDS. ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1 & 2 GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. VERY BUMPY RIDE IN THE BACK WHEN GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHEN ON LOCAL ROADS & HIGHWAY RAMPS. DEALER REPAIR HAS CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES. FIRST FEW TIMES THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DECEMBER 29, 2020 FINALLY GOT THE ISSUE TO REPLICATE AND PUT A TICKET DIRECTLY INTO FORD. I CHECKED BACK ON 1/7/2021 SINCE I BARE THE HEARD FROM THE DEALER SERVICE REP. AT THAT TIME SHE STILL DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO A RESOLUTION TO FIX THE FAULT. I CALLED TODAY 1/13/2021 AND THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MODEL BECAUSE THEY INFORMED FORD ON THE TICKET THEY TESTED ANOTHER 2019 ESCAPE WITH THE SAME ENGINE & TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD THE SAME FAULT. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 3/2019. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE PURCHASED BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPES IN 2002, 2005, 2009, 2017 & 2019. I KNOW HOW THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION OF A FORD ESCAPE SHOULD PREFORM. I STILL HAVE MY 2009 ESCAPE AND IT PREFORMS BETTER THEN THIS 2019...COMPARABLE ENGINES & TRIM PACKAGE. THE FAULTS THIS 2019 IS HAVING ARE NOT CHARACTERISTICS OF A CAR THEY ARE CLEARLY ISSUES WHERE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. FORD NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE AND REPAIR IT CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11387961

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

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