The 2026 Ford Escape has zero owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.5L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 2.5L 4-Cyl hybrid, 1.5l 3-cyl, and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 26 to 39 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 101 MPGe (40 MPG on gasoline) with up to 37 miles of electric driving range.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 0 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 26–39 MPG (5 variants • PHEV up to 101 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Escape FWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 111 MPGe (42 MPG) | 91 MPGe (37 MPG) | 101 MPGe (40 MPG) | 37 mi EV (520 mi total) | $1,550 / yr |
| Escape AWD HEV Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 42 MPG | 36 MPG | 39 MPG | — | $1,600 / yr |
| Escape FWD | 1.5L 3-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 27 MPG | 34 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
| Escape AWD | 1.5L 3-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 26 MPG | 32 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Escape AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 23 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2026 Ford Escape provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 37 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PHEV SUV PHEV FWD | | | | | 14.299999999999999% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2026 Ford Escape models.
View complete 2026 Ford Escape crash test & safety breakdown →
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2026 Ford Escape problems & component breakdown (0 categories) →
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 15, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V863.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, and instructions to limit the maximum charge of the battery were mailed February 26, 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 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
View all 2026 Ford Escape recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →