Ford Escape Years To Avoid (and The Best Years)
Last updated on July 19th, 2024 at 07:50 am
The Ford Escape is one of the most popular crossover SUVs, but there are some bad years to avoid. Among these are the models from 2008 and 2014.
The Ford Escape has been a best-seller for the company since it was first made, and buyers liked the latest changes to it. But this doesn’t mean every year’s model is as loved as the last.in this blog we will evaluate the best and worst years Ford Escape.
We have compiled the list of Ford Escape years to avoid. So, you don’t get stuck with worst model years.
Even though the Escape has been around for a while, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great choice for a new or used car. That’s why we’ve also compiled a list of the best years for making great choices.
6 Best and Worst Years For Ford Escape
The Escape has become a popular choice for families who move a lot since it came out in 2000. Fans of competing brands like them and Ford buyers bought many of them, too.
The new Escape, the fourth model version, aims to keep selling well in the U.S. by being useful and attractive.
In recent years, this brand has gained a lot of fans because of how easy it is to drive, how nice the inside is, and how comfortable the seats are.
But it would be best if you still stayed away from some of their model years because they are known to have problems. Read on to know the best and worst years Ford Escape.
6 Best Years for Ford Escape
Here are the best years for Ford Escape, so you may shop without worry.
| YEAR | Edmunds’ Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book’s Consumer Rating | JD Power’s Consumer Rating |
| 2021 | 3.9/5.0 | 3.9/5.0 | 82/100 |
| 2020 | 3.9/5.0 | 4.3/5.0 | 77/100 |
| 2019 | 3.8/5.0 | 4.1/5.0 | 81/100 |
| 2016 | 3.7/5.0 | 3.9/5.0 | 83/100 |
| 2015 | 3.4/5.0 | 4.0/5.0 | 82/100 |
| 2012 | 4.1/5.0 | 3.0/5.0 | 78/100 |
2021
The 2021 Ford Escape is one of the most trustworthy cars made by this company. It uses the latest technology, moves quickly, and has current safety features.
These best years for Ford Escape can be driven in several different ways. The 2021 Ford Escape is one of the few hybrid SUVs. It has a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine, a 35 kW electric motor, and a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2021 model has an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto for the ard tech features.
This type comes standard with a lot of high-tech safety features. At higher trim levels, you can get more options.
2020
Another great choice for a reliable car is the 2020 Ford Escape. One of the many appealing features of Ford Escape reliability by year 2020 is that it starts at just $19,234.
Like its predecessors, the 2020 model is very useful. It has enough speed from its 2.0-liter turbo engine to zip through traffic and cruise down the highway with ease.
The eight-speed automatic engine that comes with it, on the other hand, moves slowly and sometimes jumps to the highest gear. You’ll feel every roll and bump in the road, which makes the driving a bit rough and frustrating.
Even worse, the tires don’t grip as well as they should. The model doesn’t handle very well, but the ease it offers makes up for that.
The front seats are soft enough that even long trips aren’t too bad. The 2020 Ford Escape is also pretty quiet when driving. It does a good job of making wind and road noise less annoying.
The space and headroom are large, which is a plus, but people with very long necks or torsos may have trouble getting comfy. But it’s not hard to get in and out.
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2019
The 2019 model is also a good choice for reliability. It’s one of the few SUVs that can do well both in terms of speed and everyday use.
The 245-horsepower 2.0-liter engine is a great choice for your 2019 Ford Escape, but it will cost you more at the pump.
The engine in the Ford is very quick and smooth. Some owners have said that this type drives more like a sedan, but the slow handling and low-grip tires don’t live up to their standards.
Also, none of the best years for Ford Escape gearboxes work as smoothly as they should. But owners will like how comfy the seats are and how quiet the engine is.
Even though the buttons on the inside have a retro look, they are still easy to use. Also, sync 3 navigation is now a common feature on all levels. Before, it was a choice.
2016
The 2016 Ford Escape is one of the cars from before 2019 that has had the fewest problems.
Edmunds has said that the 2016 model is one of the best small crossover utility cars on the market because it drives so well and has so many modern features.
The 2.5-liter inline-four engine in the base model makes 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four engine on the higher trims makes 178 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
The quick driving matches the smooth start of the engines. This great mix gives the 2016 model year a quick response, and the high driving position gives the driver a great view.
The best years for Ford Escape’s cabin is well-equipped with several features that are well-made and built to last. This car doesn’t have as much room for your stuff as you might want, and the keys can be a little tricky.
2015
The 2015 Ford Escape is one of the most reliable cars on the market because it has great and powerful turbocharged engine choices, handles well compared to other cars in its class, has a large and roomy interior, and has a high-reliability ranking.
The 2015 model year was a finalist for the 2015 Best Compact SUV for Families award, and it also came in second place for the 2015 Most Affordable Compact SUVs award.
Last but not least, it has a total safety score of 8.4 out of 10. People say that repairs on this type are rarely needed, but if they do, they will be much cheaper than on rival models.
2012
In the area of “Affordable Compact SUVs,” where the 2012 Ford Escape fought, it came in 11th.
Overall, cars.usnews.com gives the car a score of 7.7 out of 10 for safety. In terms of reliability, J.D. Power gives it a reasonable 3 out of 10 points.
On top of all that, the Ford Escape reliability by year gets great gas mileage, which means it has some of the lowest running costs in the business.
The frontal, side, and rear overlap crash tests done by the Institute for Highway Safety show that the 2012 model year is also the safest. Because of this, you can be sure that it is a safe and secure car to drive.
6 Worst Years for Ford Escape
Now you know exactly which Ford Escapes are worth considering!
You should also be aware of the worst years for Ford Escape to avoid buying those vehicles, which have received numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers and have been recalled on multiple occasions for various reasons.
2017
Many people who own the 2017 Ford Escape have said that the engine breaks down too quickly.
Some drivers said that their check engine light was on, and others said that coolant was leaking into the pistons of the engine. This can cause the engine to get too hot and break down.
The brakes on the worst years for Ford Escape aren’t working as well as they should.
Different users have said that crashes have happened because the brakes didn’t work when they should have. Most of the time, this trouble happens at about 10,000 kilometers.
This model has also hurt Ford’s image for building things that last. This is because water sometimes gets inside the car.
Because of how poorly they were made, the sunroofs, headlights, and windows are all open to the weather.
2014
Many review sites say that the 2014 Ford Escape is the second-worst model overall, right behind the 2008 model.
Because of more than 100 reports, the NHTSA has sent out 14 recalls for this type.
Electrical problems, such as fraying wires, broken starting switches or electronic ignition, batteries that die quickly, and other things like that, are always at the top of the list of complaints.
Problems with the worst years for Ford Escape’s roof, air conditioning, heating, steering wheel, sensors, rear camera, and so on are also on the list.
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2013
Due to possible safety problems, the NHTSA has called back the 2013 Ford Escape 16 times. This should really worry us. Because of the many problems that have been linked to this type, staying as safe as possible means staying away from it.
Most car problems involve electronic systems, like when the GPS, communication system, Bluetooth, radio, or speakers stop working or when the backup camera or other sensors stop working.
Problems with the exhaust system, like the muffler, pipes, leaks, or the catalytic converter not working as it should, can also affect how well the car drives.
2009
Several people have said that the four-cylinder and V6 engines in their 2009 Ford Escapes make strange noises, which makes driving them uncomfortable. Also, this model’s fit and finish on the inside have not been improved as much.
This worst years for Ford Escape has been the subject of three recalls by the NHTSA. On the roof of this type, there have been accounts of air and water leaks.
The axle bushing will break a long time before 200,000 kilometers. If you can, don’t buy this car, because it will need repairs all the time.
2008
This Ford Escape model year (2008) has a lot of transmission problems that can be very hard to fix and cost a lot of money. Five different warnings have been sent out for this type by the NHTSA.
Many people who had trouble driving this type thought it wasn’t safe. The brakes could fail, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) could fail, the tires could squeal, the ball joints could wear out, the electrical system could fail, the shocks or springs could break, or the car could shake. Even now, the most common problem is still a broken clutch.
2005
The 2005 model has the most major problems, and that year is thought to be the worst. Almost every part of this car isn’t working right.
The start doesn’t work, the check engine light doesn’t come on, and there are problems with the body, wiring, and engine of the worst years for Ford Escape.
Also, because these problems happened so often, they needed expensive repairs and maintenance. As of the date this article was written, there were about 532 complaints about the 2005 Ford Escape on CarComplaints.com and 1,931 problems with it on CarProblemZoo.com.
What are the most common problems with a Ford Escape?
Before you spend money on a Ford Escape, you need to look into these things. This should help you decide what to do next.
If you don’t want to be stuck with a Ford Escape that doesn’t work well or is broken, you should carefully look into and check out every part of the car before buying it.
Even if you only see a small problem, you should avoid it. Over time, the problem will get worse and cause more damage to your car.
Models of the Ford Escape with the above problems should be avoided because they are expensive to fix.
So, here are the most common things that go wrong:
1. The brakes are not working.
Ford Escapes made in 2016 and 2017 were especially likely to have this issue. Many people have heard strange sounds coming toward them and told the police about them.
Another common gripe is that the brakes are noisy, which is why Ford has replaced the whole stopping systems of some cars and fixed up others.
This problem stayed around for a few years, making people nervous while driving, and it was never fixed in a year.
2. Something is wrong with the transmission
Many different models of the Ford Escape have this problem. People have said that many cars have stopped working out of the blue while being driven.
There was no information, warning, or sign that this problem was related to the 2008 Ford Escape.
Remember that, based on how bad the problem is, this could cause a lot of traffic problems and cost a lot of money to fix.
3. Broken Engines
Another big problem with the Ford Escape is that its engine often breaks down. This is a big problem with the 2013 Ford Escape. Because of this problem, there have been several recalls.
This can lead to terrible things, like a fire, especially if you do it while driving. This is why it’s so important to keep up with normal upkeep and why you shouldn’t buy a car with engine problems.
FAQs
Is it worth it to buy a Ford Escape?
Yes, it can be worth it to buy a Ford Escape, especially if you want a small SUV with a roomy cabin, good gas mileage, and high-tech features. It is a good choice because it works well and is comfortable. But, as with any car, the value will depend a lot on the model year and how well it has been taken care of.
In what years did Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Some early-2000s Ford Escape cars, especially those made in 2001 and 2005, have been said to have transmission problems. Some of these problems were a broken transmission, trouble shifting, and a flashing boost light, which usually meant expensive repairs.
Which Ford Escape engine is most reliable?
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine in the Ford Escape has been very efficient. This engine has a good mix of power and gas mileage, and fewer problems have been recorded with it than with some other engine choices.
What are the biggest problems with the 2013 Ford Escape?
The engine has been the main source of complaints about the 2013 Ford Escape. Some owners had problems, like the engine breaking down or getting too hot. There were also problems with the turbocharger and leaks of coolant, which often had to be fixed for a lot of money.
Is Ford Escape high maintenance?
Most people don’t think of the Ford Escape as a high-maintenance car compared to others in its class. However, this is subject to change depending on the model year and how well the car’s previous owners took care of it. As with any car, regular repair is the key to making sure it lasts long and works well.
Conclusion
Since its debut in 2000, the Ford Escape has provided its owners with both fantastic and less-than-stellar service. The 2019 and 2021 versions are particularly dependable and well-liked by buyers. New styling and improved safety features are also notable improvements for 2021.
The general dependability of the 2005, 2008,2009 and 2013 versions was severely compromised by transmission and engine problems.
Despite its updated styling for 2014, the vehicle was plagued by safety recalls and mechanical issues. Therefore, it is essential to investigate specific model years when shopping for a used Ford Escape.
