2019 Ford Escape
Gas Compact SUV
The 2019 Ford Escape is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Escape FWD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 581 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD | Gas | FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,400 |
| Escape FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,500 |
| Escape AWD | Gas | AWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 |
| Escape FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 |
| Escape FWD FFV | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 |
| Escape AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
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Recalls (3)
Equipment
criticalProblem: 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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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. For
Power Train
highProblem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Tires
highProblem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Owner complaints
581 complaints filed
24 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 28 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2019: 19 · 2020: 29 · 2021: 23 · 2022: 43 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 135 · 2025: 180 · 2026: 98
Most-cited components
- Engine — 305
- Power Train — 123
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 91
- Unknown Or Other — 41
- Electrical System — 37
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Compare the 2019 Escape with
Other Escape model years
2026 Escape
3 recalls · 4 complaints
F2025 Escape
10 recalls · 27 complaints
F2024 Escape
10 recalls · 86 complaints
F2023 Escape
13 recalls · 129 complaints
F2022 Escape
21 recalls · 373 complaints
F2021 Escape
21 recalls · 482 complaints
F2020 Escape
25 recalls · 1,881 complaints
D2018 Escape
4 recalls · 1,785 complaints
D2017 Escape
4 recalls · 2,672 complaints
D2016 Escape
4 recalls · 1,107 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 40911, 40910, 40915, 40909, 40907, 40916). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.