Earlier versions of the Ford Escape garnered a devoted fan base as a versatile and long-lasting compact SUV offering 200,000 miles or more of longevity. But that changed with a redesign in 2013 that introduced a poorly crafted engine that dropped its projected lifespan down to 130,000 miles or less.
Key Points
- The Ford Escape earned a long-lasting reputation in the early 2000s with owners driving their rides 200,000 miles or more.
- Problems with coolant and oil leaks in EcoBoost engines appearing in 2013 dropped its projected longevity down to 130,000 miles or fewer.
- However, the overall durable design earned the compact SUV a consistent spot in reliability rankings from owners and experts when the bad engine is not in play.
- Regular visits to the service center for 7,500-mile oil changes and other maintenance support the longevity of the Ford Escape.
- Shopping for a used Ford Escape designed to last? Look for one built before 2013 or a later model that does not feature the 1.5L, 2.0L, or 1.6L EcoBoost engine.
Earlier Years of the Ford Escape Can Last Up to 300,000 Miles in its Lifetime, but a Redesign in 2013 Led to a Dramatic Reduction in Reliability
Earlier versions of the Ford Escape built before 2012 are known to run for 200,000 to 300,000 miles with routine maintenance. If it is driven for an average of 15,000 miles per year, that nets a projected lifespan of 13 to 20 years.
Owners share their tales of the long-lived SUV at Vehicle History. One Escape owner reported that his 2002 managed to run up to 727,000 miles before finally heading to the salvage yard.
However, the introduction of the EcoBoost engine and a completely new powertrain in 2013 dramatically damaged the durability of the compact SUV. Vehicles that are part of the 2013 to 2019 generation may only run up to 130,000 miles. In some cases, owners are seeing their engine replaced as early as 27,000 miles.
Owners of the Ford Escape EcoBoost Engine Report Early Failures Due to Coolant Leaks, Bad Wiring, and Throttle Body Issues
While the 2013 Ford Escape stands as the poster child as the worst year for the SUV, the pervasive engine problems are associated with all vehicles that have a 1.5L, 2.0L, and 1.6L EcoBoost engine between the 2013 and 2019 model years.
Over 1,000 engine complaints flooded into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that first year, and continue to grow with time. Engine coolant manages to seep into the combustion chamber. The original monitor did not signal low coolant until the engine started to overheat.
Fires, cracked blocks, and burnt pistons required full engine replacements. Technical service bulletins issued in 2017 and later also refer to oil leaks around the intermediate shaft seal. Another recommended the use of dyes to locate the source of mystery leaks. Ultimately, there are multiple ways that these engines are failing at an alarming rate.
The original warranty for the powertrain covered five years or 60,000 miles. Any engine failures that owners experience beyond that mark come out of their own pockets.
Unfortunately, an overheated engine is not everything that you need to worry about. A bad wiring harness can prevent the check engine light from illuminating. Owners keep driving until the engine stalls or seizes. The throttle body gathers dirt and debris, resulting in unpredictable acceleration and loss of power.
Look Beyond the Engine and the Ford Escape Consistently Scores in the Top Five as a Reliable Compact SUV
However, if you do manage to find a Ford Escape that does not have a faulty engine, iffy throttle body, or bad wiring for the onboard computer, the frame and transmission should last about 12 to 15 years.
The third-generation compact SUV still gets Great reliability ratings from owners at J.D. Power. It ranks in the Top five for compact cars at U.S. News and World Report from 2015 to 2019.
Experts love the way it drives and enjoy its upscale interior. If you are not making regular expensive trips to the shop, you will probably love your car until it is ready to retire.
Oil Changes Every 7,500 Miles and Routine Coolant Level Checks Help the Ford Escape to Last Beyond the 100,000-mile Mark
Fortunately, if you managed to score a Ford Escape without the problematic engine, it should last for many years. The key ingredient to any long-lived vehicle is strict adherence to its recommended maintenance schedule.
Ford suggests having the oil and filter changed every 7,500 miles. For rides that run wide open on the highway the majority of the time, they can run up to 10,000 miles between services. You will want to keep a sharp eye on the engine coolant level. Check it monthly or more often if you need to top up the coolant between oil changes.
Other wear-and-tear items that you should expect to replace over time include brakes, belts, and spark plugs. Suspension elements that may require repair as you climb over 75,000 include ball joints and shock absorbers. A Ford Escape will need an average of around $8,700 in repairs and maintenance over 10 years according to Car Edge.
Best Bet for a Long-lasting Ford Escape is a 2012 or Earlier Model, or One with a Different Replacement Engine
While the durable frame and transmission on the Ford Escape make it a good candidate for a long-lasting SUV, you will want to avoid that EcoBoost engine. If you are looking at one with a replacement engine, ask if it is a refurbished one or a different engine altogether.
There is no indication that the design problems have been addressed, so a Ford replacement engine may end up with the same coolant leaks. If you luck out and score a pre-2013 or 2020 and later ride, expect to enjoy your SUV for up to 200,000 miles or more.
Photos: Ford