How Many Miles Does a Ford Escape Usually Last?

Danielle S
Nov 25, 2020

Part of buying a vehicle is choosing a model that will last for years to come, as the last thing you want is to run into reliability issues early on. Thankfully, if you’re shopping for a Ford Escape, know that they have excellent longevity ratings, which is one of the reasons behind their massive following of diehard fans.

2020 Ford Escape - Photo by Ford

How many miles does a Ford Escape usually last? 

A properly maintained Ford Escape can easily reach 100,000 miles without any issues. In fact, many owners even report clocking over 250,000 miles on the odometer without having any major problems. 

In this article, we’ll look more closely at the Ford Escape’s reliability. We’ll start with its history, as it does have a rich one. Then, we’ll explore a few things that make it so reliable and examine some problems and complaints that have come up along the way.

More about the Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that made its debut for the 2001 model year. Since then, it’s been in continuous production and is currently in its fourth generation (as of September 2020).

This compact crossover, which seats five passengers, caters to a wide range of driver needs.

2020 Ford Escape - Photo by Ford

The fourth-generation 2020 Escape is perhaps best known for its surprisingly spacious cabin and generous features that include:

  • A turbocharged engine at 181 horsepower
  • An available Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring
  • Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking

Since its debut, more than 4.4 million Ford Escapes have been sold in the United States alone.

The Escape has also received its share of awards, including:

  • “Top Safety Pick,” 2020 IIHS
  • “#1 Buyer Satisfaction,” J.D. Power 2020 Study
  • “2020 10 Best User Experiences,” 2020 Wards Auto

How Many Miles Does the Ford Escape Last?

Many factors can affect how long a Ford Escape will last, including the owner’s driving habits and how well it’s maintained. The region where the vehicle is driven can also matter as extreme temperatures climates can reduce engine performance.

Still, many Escape owners have reported on Vehicle History that their vehicles have lasted them for well over 150,000 miles. There are even several owners who claim to have in excess of 300,000 on their odometers.

2021 Ford Escape - Photo by Ford

For the most part, however, it seems that most owners report having somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 on their Escapes with minimal issues.

Some of the repairs these vehicles have needed include:

  • New tires and brakes
  • Water pump
  • Fuel pump
  • Coil packs

Overall, the Ford Escape seems to be quite reliable. Combine these owner reports with Ford’s three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and you can feel good about treating yourself to one of these capable crossover SUVs.

Customer Reviews and Recalls: What You Need to Know

Anytime you’re considering a pre-owned car, it’s a good idea to read reviews and check for open safety recalls. This can give you a better feel for any potential issues you might run into down the road.

Like most vehicles, the Ford Escape has been recalled a few times over the years. One of the more major recalls (recall ID: 15V6060000) affects 2001-2008 models. On vehicles affected by this recall, the shift lever may have a loose bolt that can allow the lever to disengage from the transmission and cause damage.

2010 Ford Escape - Photo by Ford

Another recall on the Ford Escape (ID: 16V777000) affects the fuel systems on some 2010-2012 models. On affected vehicles, the fuel delivery model can crack and cause a fuel leak, which can increase the risk of a fire.

These are all recalls that can affect the Escape’s reliability, but the good news is that recalled vehicles can be repaired free-of-charge by a licensed Ford service technician.

Photos: Ford

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Robert Smythe on October 21, 2023
Value Priced Car - Maintenance is a must
I've purchased a 2018 Ford Escape SEL from new in 2018. After thousands of KM, i had to replace the water pump which was very expensive. Tires and regular maintenance is always expected. I would purchase the FMPP maintenance coverage from Ford along with the 250,000 extended warranty protection. I have 270,000 km on my car and the transmission is blown to pieces. It will cost a fortune to repair. This car will last you about 5 years and then its expensive to fix. Keep it until 250,000 km then dump it. Ford won't help you even though they know its an issue. Best to make sure its paid off because its worth zero once this happens and you need to keep paying for the loan.
accountCircle Linda on July 15, 2023
Notmine !
I bought a 2014 Escape new. I've maintained it well, even did the transmission fluid flush at 65000 miles. Well, at 87000 miles now I have to replace the transmission. Yuk! $7000.00 later,I'm pretty upset. Don't know what I can do about this other than s**k it up...the dealer said that they are not able to tell what went wrong.Black oil and metal.😞
accountCircle Martin Stewart on June 4, 2023
Reliability
I bought a 2011 ford escape import from US on 2018 with 150,000m after 5 years its now with 279,000 miles still going fine .General repairs servicing balljoints bushing, etc. Real problems are the rust and some electrical issues . Dont intend to purchase a newer model yet Very pleased with car
avatar Danielle S
Danielle S. is a writer with more than 10 years of experience covering the automotive industry. She lives in Indiana ("The Crossroads of America") but enjoys road-tripping around the country whenever she gets the chance.
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