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.
How many miles does a Ford Escape usually last?Â
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.Â
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.
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.
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.
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