Head-to-head reliability
FORD Escape vs FORD Fusion
How the FORD Escape and FORD Fusion compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD Escape vs FORD Fusion: The Escape averages 722 complaints per year, while the Fusion averages 1,356. The Escape has more engine issues, but the Fusion has more steering and electrical problems. Both have recalls for battery management. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Escape or FORD Fusion more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Escape
The Ford Escape, with 7,225 complaints over 10 years (about 722 per year), shows a heavy concentration of engine issues, particularly turbocharger failures and coolant leaks that can contaminate the cabin. Owners also report powertrain problems, including wastegate failures that affect braking and acceleration, and structural issues like door parts detaching. While the Escape has fewer complaints per year than the Fusion, the nature of the engine and powertrain failures can be serious and costly, making it a vehicle that requires careful inspection and maintenance history review.
FORD Fusion
The Ford Fusion, with 13,561 complaints over 10 years (about 1,356 per year), is dominated by steering problems, including control arm failures and electrical issues that affect safety features like the horn and blind spot monitoring. Engine and powertrain complaints are also common, with reports of knocking, vibration, and transmission cooling line leaks that can lead to sudden failures. The Fusion's higher complaint rate and the severity of steering and electrical issues make it a riskier choice for buyers, especially those prioritizing safety and reliability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Escape | FORD Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7,225 Better | 13,561 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 102 | 91 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 130 Better | 468 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 722.5 Better | 1356.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 161 Better | 306 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 7 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
FORD Escape
- 01ENGINE3,190
- 02POWER TRAIN1,098
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING964
- 04STRUCTURE814
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER702
Owners report sudden turbocharger failures that saturate the HVAC system with toxic coolant, and engine misfires with check engine lights. These issues can lead to expensive repairs and potential health hazards from coolant fumes.
Powertrain failures, including turbocharger wastegate problems, affect the vacuum system, brakes, and acceleration. Owners describe brakes becoming firm and less effective, which is a direct safety concern.
The driver's side door limiting bar can detach, causing the door to open improperly. This is a structural defect that could lead to injury or further damage.
“On January [Insert Date], 2026, my 2024 Ford Escape suffered a sudden turbocharger failure that saturated the vehicle’s internal HVAC system with toxic ethylene glycol coolant. The vehicle’s ventilation system subsequently pumped these toxic chemical vapors d…”
“The contact owns a 2024 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the engine misfired, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store, where a handheld diagnostic machine provided informati…”
FORD Fusion
- 01STEERING4,144
- 02ENGINE2,535
- 03POWER TRAIN2,016
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,285
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,144
The front left lower control arm can snap off while turning, posing a serious risk to driver and pedestrian safety. Additionally, electrical issues cause the horn to fail and blind spot warnings to malfunction.
Engine problems include unusual shifting behavior in sport mode, fluid leaks, loud knocking/clacking noises, and significant vibration. These symptoms often indicate internal damage that can lead to sudden engine failure.
Transmission cooling line failures cause fluid leaks without any warning lights, leading to transmission damage. Owners also report sudden engine failure and fire originating from the high-voltage battery in PHEV models.
Electrical issues can cause the vehicle to become immobile when stopped in traffic, as it cannot be shifted out of park. This is a safety hazard, especially on busy roads.
“I’ve learned a while ago that the vehicle doesn’t have a working horn, I’ve replaced the fuse at least five times and it’s still not working. Yes the car was sold to me this way. Also I’ve been getting this warning to my ford app: “The Blind Spot Information…”
“The front left lower control arm (driver's side) snapped off (broke) while turning a corner. There was no reason for the breakage other than turning. It was repaired through insurance. The driver's safety as well as the safety of pedestrians were put at risk…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
FORD Escape — 102 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend o…
The fix: Dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S39.
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall i…
The defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
The defect: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Sa…
The risk: During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C38.
FORD Fusion — 91 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
The risk: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Fo…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it…
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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 block heater element with a threaded bl…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
The risk: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Fo…
Buyer analysis
FORD Escape or FORD Fusion: which should you buy?
The Ford Escape has fewer complaints per year (722 vs. 1,356) and fewer recalls (102 vs. 91, but recall counts are similar). However, the Escape's engine and powertrain failures are severe, while the Fusion's steering and electrical issues are more frequent. In practice, the Escape may be slightly less problematic, but both require thorough inspection.
Key differences
- The Escape has a higher proportion of engine complaints (3190 vs. 2535) and engine cooling issues, while the Fusion has more steering complaints (4144 vs. 0 in top components).
- The Fusion has nearly double the complaints per year (1356 vs. 722) and more crash-related incidents (468 vs. 130).
- The Escape's structural issue with door parts is unique, while the Fusion's electrical system failures can cause immobilization.
- Both have recalls for battery management systems, but the Fusion also has recalls for back-over prevention software.
- Inspect the turbocharger and cooling system for leaks or previous repairs, as coolant contamination is a serious issue.
- Check the driver's side door mechanism for proper operation and signs of wear or detachment.
- Test the horn and blind spot monitoring system, as electrical failures are common.
- Inspect the lower control arms for cracks or wear, and check for any signs of transmission fluid leaks.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic perform a compression test and check for engine codes on both vehicles.
- For the Escape, specifically inspect the turbocharger and cooling system for leaks or contamination.
- For the Fusion, test all steering components and electrical features, including the horn and blind spot sensors.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all outstanding recalls have been addressed.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive, paying attention to unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | FORD Escape | FORD Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1502 | 177 |
| 2019 | 570 | 370 |
| 2018 | 1753 | 432 |
| 2017 | 2647 | 1100 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific FORD Escape or FORD Fusion in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Escape vs FORD Fusion
- FORD Escape total complaints
- 7,225
- FORD Fusion total complaints
- 13,561
- FORD Escape total recalls
- 102
- FORD Fusion total recalls
- 91
- FORD Escape avg complaints/year
- 722.5
- FORD Fusion avg complaints/year
- 1356.1
- More reliable overall
- FORD Escape
- FORD Escape top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD Fusion top complaint area
- STEERING