Head-to-head reliability
FORD Explorer vs FORD Escape
How the FORD Explorer and FORD Escape compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD Explorer vs FORD Escape: The Explorer averages 475.8 complaints per year, while the Escape averages 722.5. The Escape has more engine-related issues, including turbocharger failures that can leak toxic coolant, while the Explorer has more structural problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Explorer or FORD Escape more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Explorer
The Ford Explorer, in ownership terms, is a mid-size SUV that has accumulated a high volume of complaints over the past decade, averaging nearly 476 per year. The complaint pattern reveals persistent issues with body structure, such as cracked stabilizer arms and trim pieces blowing off, as well as significant powertrain and engine troubles, including complete engine and transmission replacements. Owners also report unexpected rolling while parked, which is a serious safety concern. Living with an Explorer may involve frequent dealer visits and uncertainty about reliability.
FORD Escape
The Ford Escape, a compact SUV, shows an even higher complaint rate, averaging over 722 per year. The dominant issue is engine-related, with reports of turbocharger failures that can saturate the HVAC system with toxic coolant, engine misfires, and wastegate failures affecting brakes and acceleration. Powertrain problems and structural issues like door limiter bar detachment also appear. This pattern suggests that Escape owners face significant mechanical and safety risks, making it a vehicle that demands careful inspection and maintenance.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Explorer | FORD Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,758 Better | 7,225 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 165 | 102 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 129 Better | 130 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 475.8 Better | 722.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 160 Better | 161 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 Explorer
- 01STRUCTURE1,169
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER956
- 03POWER TRAIN868
- 04ENGINE552
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM465
Owners report cracked stabilizer arms causing rattling and knocking in the front wheel well, and A-pillar moldings blowing off and cracking the windshield. These structural issues can affect handling and visibility, posing safety risks.
There are reports of the vehicle rolling while parked on a slope even with the parking brake engaged, and transmission behavior issues and water leaks. These unpredictable movements and leaks can lead to accidents and interior damage.
Serious powertrain defects include complete engine and transmission replacements, and instances where the vehicle stops and engages the parking brake unexpectedly, illuminating a trouble light. These failures compromise drivability and safety.
Engine misfires and hesitation during acceleration are reported, with spark plug replacements not resolving the issue. This indicates deeper engine problems that can lead to stalling or reduced performance.
“Around 20,000 miles, I took my vehicle to the dealer due to rattling and knocking in the front right wheel well and it was discovered the stabilizer arm was cracked. Received the vehicle back, and approximately 1000 miles later, there is rattling at the front…”
“The A piller molding on BOTH sides of the windshield has been blown off. When blown off it cracked the windshield. This resulting in a hazard to drivers around but also the fuel economy of the car.”
FORD Escape
- 01ENGINE3,190
- 02POWER TRAIN1,098
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING964
- 04STRUCTURE814
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER702
Sudden turbocharger failures can saturate the HVAC system with toxic ethylene glycol coolant, pumping harmful vapors into the cabin. Engine misfires and check engine lights are also common, indicating potential for breakdowns.
Owners report a chain of failures including brake system pressure issues, powertrain failure, and turbocharger wastegate failure, which affect vacuum, brakes, and acceleration. This can lead to reduced stopping ability and loss of power.
The driver's side door limiting bar can detach, making the door difficult to control and potentially causing injury or damage. This structural weakness is a safety concern.
“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…”
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 Explorer — 165 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. O…
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 2023 Explorer vehicles. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.
The risk: A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulti…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 08, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands a…
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.
Buyer analysis
FORD Explorer or FORD Escape: which should you buy?
The Ford Escape has a higher complaint rate per year (722.5) compared to the Ford Explorer (475.8), indicating more frequent issues. However, the Explorer's complaints include severe structural and powertrain failures, while the Escape's engine problems are particularly alarming. In practice, both vehicles require careful inspection, but the Escape may demand more immediate attention to engine and safety systems.
Key differences
- The Escape has a higher annual complaint rate (722.5) than the Explorer (475.8), indicating more frequent problems.
- The Explorer's top issue is structure (1169 complaints), while the Escape's top issue is engine (3190 complaints), suggesting different failure areas.
- The Escape has a reported death (1) and more injuries (161) than the Explorer (0 deaths, 160 injuries), though both have similar injury counts.
- The Explorer has more recalls (165) than the Escape (102), but the Escape's engine failures can be more dangerous, like toxic coolant entering the cabin.
- Inspect the front stabilizer arms for cracks and listen for rattling or knocking from the front wheel well.
- Check the A-pillar moldings for secure attachment and look for any windshield cracks near them.
- Have the turbocharger and engine checked for any signs of coolant leaks or misfires, as these can lead to toxic fumes.
- Test the door limiting bars on all doors to ensure they are securely attached and function properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or previous major repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and structural components.
- Test drive both vehicles, paying attention to any unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights.
- Check for any signs of water leaks inside the cabin, especially under the dashboard and seats.
- Verify that all safety systems, including parking brakes and door mechanisms, operate correctly.
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 Explorer | FORD Escape |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 3 |
| 2025 | 89 | 24 |
| 2024 | 19 | 76 |
| 2023 | 102 | 94 |
| 2022 | 255 | 226 |
| 2021 | 407 | 330 |
| 2020 | 1184 | 1502 |
| 2019 | 287 | 570 |
| 2018 | 715 | 1753 |
| 2017 | 1678 | 2647 |
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 Explorer or FORD Escape in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Explorer vs FORD Escape
- FORD Explorer total complaints
- 4,758
- FORD Escape total complaints
- 7,225
- FORD Explorer total recalls
- 165
- FORD Escape total recalls
- 102
- FORD Explorer avg complaints/year
- 475.8
- FORD Escape avg complaints/year
- 722.5
- More reliable overall
- FORD Explorer
- FORD Explorer top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD Escape top complaint area
- ENGINE