The most common problems with used Ford Escapes
2018 Ford Escape by Kevauto - CC BY-SA 4.0
Since its introduction in 2000, the Escape has ridden the wave of SUV popularity to become one of the most popular models in Ford’s lineup. Millions of Escapes have found their way into owners’ driveways and have admirably performed the family duty, dog duty, and commuting duty without complaint. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient, roomy, and fun to drive vehicle that holds its own both on and off-road - then the Escape should be on your shopping list.
Although people love the Escape, there are still some major problems that you need to be on the lookout for. Some issues cross generations of Escape while others are unique to only particular models. We’ll cover the biggest issues with the Ford Escape and tell you how to avoid purchasing one with these issues.
TRENDING
Shopping for a Ford with an EcoBoost engine? Here are the most common problems with used EcoBoost engines as reported by owners, and how to avoid buying a faulty used model.
Most Common: Transmission failure
Problem:
The worst issue with the Escape boils down to a rather essential part of the vehicle; the transmission. Whether it’s the 2008 model or the 2016 model, the transmission of this vehicle is a major sore spot. It’s not just that transmission isn’t smooth either, it’s that it completely fails on drivers and often without any sort of warning from the vehicle.
Year models affected:
Particularly troublesome years for the transmission are 2008, 2014, and 2016. Caution must be noted here, however, as other years also experience transmission issues but the severity is simply higher in the years noted above.
Cost to fix:
The average cost to replace the transmission rounds out to $4,150, with some years being slightly cheaper. Regardless, this is simply not something you want to deal with after purchasing a new vehicle.
Also common: Turbo & gasket failures
Problem:
The issue with engines really comes down to the current generation of the Ford Escape, which started its run back in 2013. Right off the bat, there were two major recalls and several reports of engine fires in the Ford Escape. Most of these issues stem from the new (for the year) Ecoboost engines that utilize a turbocharger to provide fuel economy and power in a small package. The issues with the engines range from head gasket failure to turbo failure.
Year Models Affected:
Engine issues are more prevalent in the 2013 to 2019 Escape and specifically affect the Ecoboost versions of these vehicles. The 1.6L is especially prone to issues in these years.
Cost to fix:
If it comes down to completely replacing an engine, the cost can be well over $6,000. Individual repairs can run anywhere from $1100 for a head gasket to $150 for a vacuum hose. Trends from owners online show that dealers are often forced to replace the engine in its entirety due to multiple failures.
TRENDING
If you’re considering buying a used 2005 Ford Escape, here’s what owners have to say about the most common 2005 Ford Escape problems.
Steering Issues
Problem:
Owners of the previous (2013 - 2019) generation of Escape report issues related to the power steering system of the vehicle. Drivers report that the system will spontaneously fail and leave them unable to safely drive the vehicle. Ford issued a recall for this issue but the recall only covers certain VINs and owners report issues outside of the recall group.
Years Affected:
2013 to 2014 are the main years affected by steering issues. Other year models have significantly fewer steering-related complaints.
Cost to fix:
If your vehicle falls outside of warranty and outside of the recall group, you’re going to be looking at a repair that falls in between $950 and $1100.
Avoiding Ford Escape Problems
While you’ll want to have any vehicle that you’re planning to purchase looked at by a mechanic, this holds especially true for the Ford Escape. Many of the issues with the Escape fall will not be apparent on a test drive and will only show up during a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic. For only a few hundred dollars, a mechanic will give your potential new ride a full visual inspection, diagnostic and road test. Peace of mind alone is worth the cost of an inspection.
DOWNLOAD THE APP
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Search all listings in your area, get notified about deals, new listings, and price drops, or chat with one of our copilots for some hands-on advice.
Get a curated list of the best used cars near you
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars 5 years or newer with low mileage - CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices - just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
