Model year
2026 Ford Escape
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 3 complaints for the 2026 Ford Escape (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 1 complaint under ESCAPE PHEV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2), ENGINE (2), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1). NHTSA rated 5 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–40 mpg combined and 33 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,700–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 996 complaints
- 2002 1,027 complaints
- 2003 558 complaints
- 2004 499 complaints
- 2005 1,394 complaints
- 2006 464 complaints
- 2007 254 complaints
- 2008 1,974 complaints
- 2009 1,693 complaints
- 2010 2,070 complaints
- 2011 1,318 complaints
- 2012 604 complaints
- 2013 2,753 complaints
- 2014 2,089 complaints
- 2015 1,130 complaints
- 2016 1,166 complaints
- 2017 2,701 complaints
- 2018 1,821 complaints
- 2019 596 complaints
- 2020 1,612 complaints
- 2021 350 complaints
- 2022 236 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 26 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
26V301000 · May 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
25V862000 · Dec 12, 2025
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
Complaints
3 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ESCAPE PHEV | 1 | 1 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAS SUV N/A AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| GAS SUV N/A FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV HEV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV HEV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
| PHEV SUV PHEV FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.143 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD PHEV · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 42 | 37 | 40 | 33.0 | 520 | $1,700 |
| Escape FWD · 1.5L · Automatic 8-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 34 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Escape AWD · 2L · Automatic 8-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Escape AWD · 1.5L · Automatic 8-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 32 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Escape AWD HEV · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 42 | 36 | 39 | — | — | $1,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2026 Ford Escape at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.