Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 581 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Escape, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 216 | 37% |
| Power train | 77 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 67 | 12% |
| Power train | 24 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 19 | 3% |
| Tires | 11 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 1% |
| Engine | 7 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Slow coolant leak that is a known issue with engine. This caused the water pump to go bad and engine to risk overheating. Has been looked at by 3 independent mechanics all confirmed this is a known issue causing major co
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Was told the lugnuts were swollen when I tried to have tires rotated. The repair shop is mainly and oil repair shop. I took it to the dealership I purchased the car from and was told this is a major issue they deal with
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
Vehicle purchased from dealer with concealed total loss history and federal/state odometer fraud. Official state title records show the odometer froze at 73,539 miles between Tennessee title issued March 2025 and Ohio ti
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I recently bought a 2019 Ford Escape from Superior Mazda in Bentonville, Arkansas for my daughter going off to college. Soon after purchasing the vehicle a giant puff of smoke started coming out the exhaust when startin
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The transmission had to be replaced in 2024 and now the engine needs to be replaced in 2026. Ford customer service will not help with any of the repairs.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact connected a portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle and retrie
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
My Ford Escape powertrain went out when I was driving in town, it went from driving fine to not getting out of 1st gear. No warning prior got it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic and it is indeed the transmiss
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Vehicle began losing engine coolant. No external leaks visible. Took to Ford dealership for inspection and diagnostics. They found coolant intrusion in cylinders 1 and 2. They say that TSB 22-2322 applies to this iss
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2019 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, i
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-
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 drive
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
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
| Reliability | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 44 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 581 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 216 of them (37%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2019 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.