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2019 Ford Escape

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA581
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

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 the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Escape FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo233026$2,400
Escape FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925$2,500
Escape AWDGasAWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo222824$2,600
Escape FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl212924$2,600
Escape FWD FFVGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl212924$2,600
Escape AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212723$2,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40911, 40910, 40915, 40909, 40907, 40916.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Ford Escape is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Equipment

26S01
116,672 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskAn electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.FixOwners 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
NHTSA campaign 26V011000reported Jan 15, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Power Train

22S43
2,925,968 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V413000reported Jun 10, 2022Ford Motor Company
▲high

Tires

21S10
15,769 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskOver 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.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V155000reported Mar 10, 2021Ford Motor Company

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
581complaints filed

24 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 28 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 19 · 2020: 29 · 2021: 23 · 2022: 43 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 135 · 2025: 180 · 2026: 98

Most-cited components

Engine305
Power Train123
Engine And Engine Cooling91
Unspecified41
Electrical System37
Steering16

What owners describe

“2019 Ford Escape SEL. Left and right front headlamps simultaneously stopped working during nighttime driving. Dangerous safety issue. Dashboard headlamp green symbol continued to display headlamps were functioning properly. There was no warning symbol. Vehicle electrical issue was repaired at dealership at no charge. I…”Mar 26, 2022 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“2019 Ford Escape SEL. Left and right front headlamps simultaneously stopped working during nighttime freeway driving. Dangerous safety issue. Dashboard headlamp green symbol continued to display headlamps were functioning properly. There was no warning symbol. Vehicle electrical issue was repaired at dealership at no c…”Mar 26, 2022 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was not repair…”Mar 14, 2022 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

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

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆19%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2019 Escape with

2019 Chevrolet Equinox →2019 Nissan Rogue →

Other Escape model years

D

2026 Ford Escape

3 recalls · 4 complaints

F

2025 Ford Escape

10 recalls · 27 complaints

F

2024 Ford Escape

10 recalls · 86 complaints

F

2023 Ford Escape

13 recalls · 129 complaints

F

2022 Ford Escape

21 recalls · 373 complaints

F

2021 Ford Escape

21 recalls · 482 complaints

F

2020 Ford Escape

25 recalls · 1,881 complaints

D

2018 Ford Escape

4 recalls · 1,785 complaints

D

2017 Ford Escape

4 recalls · 2,672 complaints

D

2016 Ford 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. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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