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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2019 Ford Escape

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 588 safety complaints about the 2019 Ford Escape with the US government. Of those, 24 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 28 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 309 complaints, 53% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 64,420 miles, the median across the 229 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

588 complaints on file

588

Complaints

24

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

28

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 309 · 53%
POWER TRAIN 125 · 21%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 94 · 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 42 · 7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 37 · 6%
STEERING 16 · 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 15 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13 · 2%
STRUCTURE 12 · 2%
AIR BAGS 11 · 2%
TIRES 11 · 2%
WHEELS 10 · 2%
0 127 254

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 588.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 180.

192 144 96 48
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Ford ESCAPE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 18.5% 19.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

26V011000 · January 15, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 116,672 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

22V413000 · June 10, 2022

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,925,968 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

21V155000 · March 10, 2021

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 15,769 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

I was stopped in traffic on a local freeway at rush hour. The vehicle behind me was slowing to a stop. An SUV did not slow down and hit the vehicle behind me at approximately 60 mph. That vehicle was flipped when the SUV collided with it. The SUV collided with me, pushing my vehicle into a van in front of me and then sending my vehicle across 3 lanes of the highway. In the initial impact, my seat back was bent backwards and twisted from the initial impact. With the second impact, I was then thrown forward and my face hit the steering column and my right side and arm hit the center console. I was wearing my seatbelt. The cabin briefly filled with smoke which may have been from the engine

NHTSA complaint 11621227, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

IN A HEAD ON COLLUSION, HE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN TWO SEPARATE ACCIDENTS WHEREAS I ONE OF THE INCIDENTS FACIAL INJURY AND CHEST INJURY OCCURRED AS A RESULT

NHTSA complaint 11258701. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 58,000 miles

The contact owned a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 mph and intersecting into the highway, a service van crashed into the front driver-side tire/bumper. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained bruises on her chest due to the seat belt and her husband had deep tissue injuries from his neck to his waist. The contact and her husband sought medical attention the following Monday from their medical physician. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed towing lot. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had

NHTSA complaint 11502572, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

2 injured · crash · towed

On 9/14/23 after starting car parked on level surface, I placed car in Drive, but it went in Reverse. The vehicle was supposedly repaired for Safety Recall Notice 22S43 by dealer. I placed car back in park, then shifted back to Drive and it moved forward as expected. Later in day while my wife was driving, she experienced difficulty in disengaging cruise control and when she tapped brakes, vehicle began spinning 360 degrees, slid sideways off interstate, and auto was totaled. Upon impact the right, rear passenger door was unlocked and somehow opened on its own ejecting passenger. Vehicle is currently in salvage yard at IAA Odgen, 1800 S 1100 West, Ogden, UT 84401. I don't know if the faulty

NHTSA complaint 11546899, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

53,967 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator, the vehicle hesitated and was idling rough. During initial start-up there was a backfire coming from the engine with white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The maintenance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and DTC: P0302 was retrieved. The cylinder was replaced. The contact stated that approximately 2 weeks later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and DTC: P0302 (Cylinder #2 misfire); was retrieved. The manufacturer was informed of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 53,967.

NHTSA complaint 11766619. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

43,800 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that at cold starts, the vehicle vibrated significantly with heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine light was intermittently illuminated, accompanied by a noticeable coolant odor. A diagnostic test by the dealer confirmed that there was coolant leaking between cylinders #1 and #2, leading to total engine failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The dealer submitted a goodwill request to the manufacturer for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 43,800.

NHTSA complaint 11765764. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle has coolant intrusion into cylinders verified by Ford dealer

NHTSA complaint 11765000. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
My 2019 Ford Escape has the Ford 6F35 transmission and I was just informed that mine is going out and needs to be replaced by a Ford dealership service department. Since 12/2025, I have had my car in the shop 3 times. I have researched and there are thousands of issues and complaints about this transmission that is going out and Ford has not done a recall. This is an immediate high risk hazard. If driving and the transmission has mechanical failure at 65+ mph it will drop into newtral and lose all gear engagement. with the vehicle drop in speed without brake lights a high speed rear end collision could occur which could then lead to a major pile up.

NHTSA complaint 11764367. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
We purchased a 2019 Ford Escape 1.5L new from the dealer. We've put only 25,000 miles on it, but are now facing a well known issue (coolant intrusion) that they failed to inform us about. This is despite our vehicle meeting literally every requirement to be included in their Customer Service Program, they told us it is not tied to our VIN and are out of luck. Our car is now worthless. If we had been notified we would have taken the necessary precautions. Again, this is a known issue, with a current Class Action lawsuit in place, that Ford failed to notify us of. We are now out tens of thousands of dollars in replacing a car we have barely driven.

NHTSA complaint 11764175. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

85,818 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The check engine warning light remained illuminated with the message "Engine Overheating - Pull Over Immediately" displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,818.

NHTSA complaint 11764201. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Escape

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 24 9 —
2024 76 8 1
2023 99 11 —
2022 232 19 —
2021 348 19 —
2020 1,602 23 —
2018 1,804 4 —
2017 2,689 4 —
2016 1,131 4 —
2015 1,106 9 —
2014 2,086 16 4
2013 2,750 18 —
2012 602 1 —
2011 1,316 2 —
2010 2,070 3 —

Other 2019 Ford models

F-150 1,329 F-250 SD 1,164 Edge 769 Expedition 505 F-350 SD 467 Ecosport 460 Fusion 315 Explorer 298

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst