2024 Ford Escape: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
76 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Escape (2013–2019) launched with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, and that engine is the reason the 2013 and 2014 model years carry the highest complaint counts of any compact crossover in the dataset: coolant leaks into the cylinders, overheating and engine fires, addressed by a string of recalls that continued for years. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost in the same body is a better engine, but the transmission and electrical complaints of the early years apply to both. Read the full note on the model page. 2024 specifically: a year the record favours — 76 complaints, score 74/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Escape: why 2013 and 2014 are the years to walk past, including 2024 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 76 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 38.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
We are concerned that the seatbelt and possibly airbag malfunctioned and contributed to my mother in laws death on 11/17/2025. The drivers seatbelt had not been latching properly and would come unlatched at random times prior to the accident. The car was taken to dealership, based on the seatbelt not staying latched and it was repaired on 10/20/2025. She continued to have issues with it after the repair. Less than a…
I had problems with the brakes at first (system pressure). Than it was a powertrain failure. Followed by Turbocharger wastegate failure. It affected the vacuum system, brakes, and acceleration ability. Brakes became firm, but not stopping as well when applied. Had extreme loss of power trying to get up to speeds to enter highway & interstate at 60 then 70 mph. Dealership ended up replacing turbo wastegate. Exactly on…
Power lift get kept closing which caused injury to my son. Lift gate if there is obstruction anywhere it should stop and go back up. Well this kept closing hit my son in the head caused severely bruised nose, laceration on his head and a mild concussion.
Recalls: 8 campaigns (4 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 25V372000 | Engine | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak. |
| 24V852000 | Equipment:Other:Labels | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. |
| 24V850000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Escape vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. |
| 25V315000 | Back Over Prevention:Software | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to… |
| 24V440000 | Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Escape two-wheel drive vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. |
| 24V954000 | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery:Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm) | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. |
| 25V343000 | Electrical System | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in. |
| 24V634000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 28 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,200
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System27 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Forward Collision Avoidance19 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Lane Departure18 complaints · typical job: Camera module replacement and calibration (2.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,700
- Unknown Or Other16 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine13 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Back Over Prevention10 complaints · typical job: Reversing camera or park-sensor replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$420–$940
Other Ford Escape years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2024 Ford Escape?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (27 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2024 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 74/100, computed from 76 NHTSA complaints and 8 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2024 Ford Escape's most common problem?
27 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2024 Ford Escape sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2024 Ford Escape cost to run per year?
About $3,872 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $19,360 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2024 Ford Escape have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for the 2024 Ford Escape, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 03/06/2025. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2024 Ford Escape really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 76 complaints, 8 recalls on record
- 76 NHTSA complaints on record (38.0/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (92.9/yr)
- 8 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems