2007 Ford Escape Review: Compact SUV With A Lot Of Mechanical Problems

Alex Showalter

May 4, 2022

The 2007 Escape only lasts around 150,000 miles with transmission and engine failures. At $4,275 – $5,275, it’s a cheap SUV, but will spend a lot of time in the shop.

The Good

Cargo space is good, it performs well off-road and the exterior styling is better than rivals.

The Bad

The interior materials are cheap, suspension is floaty and ownership costs are high.

Is the 2007 Ford Escape a Good Used SUV?

No, 2007 is a bad year. Owners reviews complain about the transmission, gas guzzling, and 4WD system issues.
Reliability ratings are below average. Models from 2006–2014 all have a lot of problems, with some mechanical improvements for 2015.
Performance is poor from the base 4-cylinder, but the V6 offers decent power.
The Escape is a reasonably safe SUV getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
Fuel economy is lower than rivals, getting up to 23 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

ri N

Lasts if you take care of it

Good for transporting. Do not like that the engine is put in sideways which makes it more difficult to get to the spark plugs in the back which results in higher labor costs for certain maintenance items

Prissy B

The great escape! Reliable and attractive.

The Ford escape is a great family vehicle. It does good on gas and has a nice appearance. It's awesome for road trips. My kids fit comfortably in the back. The trunk is spacious. It was affordable and had a low car payment. Decent sound system. Perfect for a family of 4.

Cortney P

It has excellent trunk space for traveling and it has enough leg room to sit five comfortably.

I like the trunk space for travel. I like that it needs little regular maintenance and I haven't had to repair much since owning it. I liked that the price was in my budget when I purchased the car.

Veronica M

The comfort and reliability.

Very reliable. I enjoy the escape for it is comfort while traveling and the room for transporting packages or furniture. The performance is always good in any weather. There are no blind spots when having to park.

Kathy G

It is great on gas and durable for my family.

It is a great family car. Great on gas mileage and dependable. It is also a manual so it drives a lot better in my opinion. It is a good color so it blends in and its 4 wheel drive so it does treat in the snow.

Roberta R

I love the style of the vehicle. The fact that the seats fold down if necessary. It's 6 CD changer. It's also a hybrid, I really like the good gas mileage I get.

It's good gas mileage being a hybrid. It is a versatile vehicle, can seat 5 or carry whatever I need to hall.

Melissa N

2007 Escape lives on 11 years later

Durable, easy to maintain, long lasting, family of 4 can fit, has not needed a lot of maintenance outside of the routine needs

Dawn T

You get your money's worth

The escape is safe and reliable with low maintenance. The size of the escape is great for our small family. I really appreciated the 4 wheel drive in the winter. The fuel economy could be better but the price was right. I will definitely consider buying another in the future.

Negative Owner Reviews

Robin D

Great work car. Gas mileage is good and will keep you from stopping to fill up.

The moonroof does not always function right, and you need to do it a couple of times to get it to close right. The radio never holds a station. The back seats do not fold down all the way like they are supposed to. Even though it was treated, the whole undercarriage is rusting out.

Mchayla

The transmission is horrible

I would not recommend. Have spent At least three times the money fixing the thing than i did when i bought it. Not impressed at all

Tabatha B

The best family car for a family getaway!

It is a very good family vehicle because it has a big back seat and a big trunk area. However, it is a little dated. Due to its age, a lot of the color on the outside and inside have started to fade. Overall, the actually performance is great. It runs very well for how old it is.

Joe Blown

Transmission

I have to say I replaced the transmission @ 70k miles. It was out of warranty of course so, I went with a Jasper instead of a replacement Ford tranny. The transmission is the week point of this car. I say I don't like it but my wife does and drives it. I take care of my cars and it has 140k miles and it still is dependable. I still wish I had spent the money on a Toyota Rav4 or 4 runner but, I guess it is ok. This is the longest I ever kept a car so, despite tranny and cheap interior it is a good car.

Carol G

Though it is a reliable drive, it's physical character is breaking down and expenses to maintain non-driving features not worth current value of vehicle.

Sporadic electrical malfunction preventing driver door and passenger door from opening, periodic alarm going off for no reason, headliner falling down, AC not able to fully charge. Loud to drive.

Kirsty z

Do research on the flaws of the car....Learn what a transmission sounds like when It's going out on a car.

My Car is on It's 5 th transmission. 4 of those were replaced under warranty from a Ford. It's kinda my lemon car.

Amber C

Avoid the 2007 ford escape.

It is not reliable at all. The transmission keeps messing up and we have had to replace it several times. It is a gas guzzler. It does not turn very well and is extremely slow. I only have it because it is all I can afford right now. It also rides a bit rough, every bump in the road sends the vehicle rocking and it sways with a strong gust of wind.

Paul K

An alternator repair is very expensive for this vehicle.

My 2007 Ford Escape gets decent gas mileage and runs pretty well. I have had to replace a few key parts due to them being the original car parts. My car has 119,000 miles and I have had to replace the alternator, a caliper on the front passenger side tire, and a door lock mechanism. There are some rattles as I drive, perhaps an axle is out of place or a wheel bearing is going bad. I want to use this response as a warning to people buying Escapes that are 2007 or older. They are alright cars but going up to at least the next model year (2008 or above) will get you a better vehicle. I would rate my current car overall as a 3/5.

What Do Critics Say About the Escape?

Consumer Reports says the Escape does not perform well, and has average owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Escape a 4.5/5 liking the comfortable seats, but disliking the poor ride quality.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Escape 4.4/5 and enjoy the high driving position, but don’t like the clunky transfer case.

What Common Problems Does the 2007 Ford Escape Have?

Problems found on the 2007 Escape are very serious and include slipping transmissions, engine failures, and even dead computers.

Transmission slipping is the most common complaint from owners at roughly 95,000 miles. The torque converter wears out and some owners rebuild the transmission costing about $2,700, while others replace the entire unit for nearly $4,000.

Engine failure is another frequent problem showing up in the first 85,000 miles. Sudden engine failure happens regularly, and installing a new engine costs about $4,000 depending on local labor rates.

Computer problems show up on many Escape models in the first 80,000 miles. The main ECU is a known weak spot and replacing the entire computer costs around $2,000.

There are 4 fairly minor recalls, with the most serious being for a front wheel bearing which can fail and increase the risk of a crash.

How Long Will the 2007 Ford Escape Last?

A properly maintained 2007 Ford Escape should last around 150,000 miles, half as long as top rated competitors like the Honda CR-V. Regular annual maintenance costs are expensive for a compact SUV at $489 per year, according to Repair Pal.

Most 2007 Escapes will have over 100,000 miles so prospective buyers should be prepared to replace the ABS control module for $700, fuel injectors costing $400, and the exhaust manifold gasket which costs $350.

Alan B

The car is 13 years old, so it has just a few problems. The abs system needs repair. The flywheel has a flat spot, so sometimes it takes a few turns of the key to get it started.

Norma H

Airbag warning light is on for a broken wire under drivers seat. There's also a broken door ajar sensor. Not sure which door.

Rose K

I have just had regular wear and tear. I did have a probably with brake line at one point, pretty sure it was specific to the make and model and year.

Aleta H

It has been very reliable. I have not had any problems with it so far. It runs off of gas and a battery.

Cyrise S

In the tone we have owned this vehicle it has been very reliable. Regular maintenance has been performed on it and there was one incident where repairs needed to be made in order to pass smog, but that has been it.

Marissa D

Very reliable, have had a few problems with it but nothing major or anything to do with the engine or anything under the hood.

D M

So far it's been a very reliable car, the only problem it's given is the gas mileage sucks, the front end has some issues.

Joyce D

Nomade need new tires in a few months the paint job is great and no tears in the seats it is very nice paint job.

How Much Is the 2007 Ford Escape Worth?

Blue book values on the 2007 Escape range from $4,275 – $5,275, making it around $1,000 cheaper than a Jeep Liberty or Chevy Equinox. When new, the price range was $19,320 to $26,380. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Escape?

There are four models of the Escape available. Technology is outdated and was last changed for the 2005 model year with a complete redesign coming in 2008.

XLS is the entry-level model with:

15-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Keyless Entry
Power Windows & Mirrors
AM/FM/CD Stereo With 4 Speakers

XLT is a step up adding:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Premium Cloth Seating
Cruise Control
6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer

XLT Sport is next in the lineup and has:

16-Inch Machined Aluminum Wheels
Black Exterior Trim
Keypad Entry System
Black Step Bars

Limited is the luxury model and comes with:

Leather Seating
Body-Colored Trim
Automatic Headlights
Premium 6-Speaker Stereo System

XLS

153 HP 23-23 MPG

View Details

XLT

200 HP 21-21 MPG

View Details

XLT Sport

200 HP 21-21 MPG

View Details

Limited

200 HP 21-21 MPG

View Details

Hybrid

133 HP 31-31 MPG

View Details

What Engines Come In the Escape?

The base engine is a weak 2.3L 4-cylinder with 155 horsepower which gets up to 23 MPG combined.
An available upgrade is the more powerful 3.0L V6, which has 200 horsepower and gets up to 20 MPG combined. Performance is poor, taking 9.6 seconds to go 0-60 and tows up to 2,000 pounds.

What Colors Does the Escape Come In?

How Big Is the Escape?

The 2007 Escape is an average sized compact SUV similar to the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson. Passenger space is good in the front seats, but the backseats do not have as much legroom as some rivals.

Cargo space is above average, offering 32 cubic feet of room behind the seats, and expanding up to 65 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

How Does the Escape Compare to the Competition?

The Ford Edge is a competitor from the same brand costing about $1,500 more. Where the Edge stands out is with more passenger room and power, but the Escape rides better on dirt roads. We recommend neither for 2007, since they both have a lot of complaints about mechanical issues.

The Honda CR-V is another rival, which costs about $2,500 more. Reliability ratings and technology are both better on the CR-V, but the Escape sits higher. We recommend the CR-V since they last much longer and are more affordable to own.

Ranks #10 Compact SUV by Owners

2007 Honda Element

4.61

2007 Toyota Matrix

4.51

Tie

2007 Ford Escape

4.1

Do Owners Recommend the Ford Escape?

Alan B

Yes. It has what we want in a car. It is also all-wheel drive. I like the way the seats feel. It sits higher so I can see everything easier.

Norma H

Yes. I love mine. It is small but comfortable. Gets good gas mileage. Has enough space to move stuff in the back. Runs great.

Rose K

Yes. I have been driving it for 4 years and love the feel of driving this car. Works great in all MN seasons.

Aleta H

Yes. I bought it about three years ago and it has been a great vehicle. I haven't had any problems with it so far.

Cyrise S

Yes, this car is coming up on 250,000 miles and with regular maintenance we have had it in good running condition. It provides a great amount of space in the interior for a family of five that includes two car seats. And I really like that the hatch window opens up in addition to the hatch.

Marissa D

Yes very good vehicle, especially if you are somewhere where it snows a lot. 4 wheel drive is great and it is very roomy.

D M

Yes it has been a very good vehicle, its smooth on the Hwy and it runs quit but it sucks on gas on the highway and in town.

Joyce D

Yes it gets me to and from work great gas mileage. It has been a great car to an older couple then I bought it.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Judy Lee on January 3, 2022

2007 Ford Escape Review

I have 254,000 miles on this car!!!!! I absolutely LOVE it. It has taken me, and all my cargo, sometimes live, all over the eastern United States for 14 years.

Chris V on March 31, 2021

2007 short Ford Escape review.

The 2007 Ford Escape, in my opinion, is very reliable. I haven't had many problems with it yet, and the gas mileage is also a plus. Although the inside is sort of plastic-y, I prefer the design to newer models of the Escape. Overall, I have been very satisfied with the vehicle.

Karen R on March 27, 2021

If you want reliability Ford is the way to go.

This car has been real good to me. Have kept up with the maintenance minus some wear and tear this car is reliable.

maria g on February 21, 2021

This car has a lot of trunk space and fold down back seats.

My car is simply and practical. It runs good but gas is a little much but still works very well and doesnt cost thousands for repairs.

Lori V on February 18, 2021

2007 Ford Escape 4 wheel drive. Comfortable, dependable, tons of cargo space.

I love the fact that it has a large cargo space. Lots of room in the back seats for passengers. Its 4 wheel drive so no fear of getting stuck. As long as you keep regular maintenance up its very dependable. Could use a better sound system.

K V on February 18, 2021

It gets great gas mileage both in town and on the highway.

I like smooth ride. The amount of cargo space. I also like that it runs on a hybrid engine.

Amy H on February 11, 2021

Drives fantastic fits my family needs. Good on mileage

I bought my escape used and I love it. I needed to replace the motor recently but it still runs great.

Shelby G on February 11, 2021

It can last for a long time when it comes to mileage

A good vehicle, has really good mileage and a good stereo. Is really good on road trips, both in cities and on country roads

Sam S on February 5, 2021

Great gas mileage even with age

Constantly kills wheel bearings. Motor for rear wiper has been replaced with brand new one twice in a year. Back seat does not have a middle seat belt! Other than that I'm getting 27 mpg or better, lots of cargo room which thankfully allows me to haul my oversized dog with us on outings more often.

Kathleen C on February 1, 2021

2007 Ford Escape: Not a terrible vehicle

My Ford Escape belonged to my husband's grandmother and was well taken care of. Maintenance was performed regularly and it was driven minimally, so even though it is a 2007, it has less than 50,000 miles. It drives well and is reliable although gas mileage is not great and it needs a wheel bearing, which is not a small job on this vehicle. It is spacious, though with two small children in rear facing car seats and a medium sized dog, I'd prefer more room.

Morgan D on February 1, 2021

Low miles, great gas mileage and fantastic family car.

Absolutely love my Ford Escape! Perfect for my family of two small kids and a dog. Does great in the winter elements and gets fantastic gas mileage.

Nona M on January 31, 2021

I love my Escape! I am a lifer!

I love my Escape and will be buying a newer model. It is very low maintenance and reliable. It is comfortable to drive and gets good gas mileage. I have not needed any major repairs in the nearly 12 years I have owned it. The size and storage room meets all my needs.

Joel M on January 22, 2021

My SUV has 4 wheel drive and is very good in the snow for traction.

It's a decent vehicle, like any car or suv after a while they start to get old.

Chris L on January 20, 2021

It's a hybrid and gets great fuel economy. This can save you money at the pump.

I like that it's a hybrid. I like that it gets good fuel economy. I like that it has a spacious cargo area.

Terry C on January 10, 2021

Ford escape is one of the best cars I have had.

The car is very comfortable to drive. Everything works well. It saves on gas when traveling far places. It drives very smoothly and is comfortable with long drives. Everything works pretty well. The brakes work tremendously the radio and ac is also amazing. I would recommend this type of car to anyone.

Kaila S on January 8, 2021

It's a hybrid so I pay only about 50% of the normal for gas.

I love that it is a hybrid and saves me gas money. I hate that it's not super roomy in the back. I dislike the cloth seats and the fact that my tire pressure sensor goes out all the time.

Lauren K on January 7, 2021

Hybrids do not run their gas motors under 30 mph so the air will not blow cold unless you're moving.

I love the older body style on 2007 escapes. They sit higher and have more of an suv feel and less of the crossover/car feel. Bc it's a hybrid, the air is not always as cold as in other cars when not in motion.

Kathy G on January 2, 2021

It is great on gas and durable for my family.

Noa T on December 31, 2020

Not bad for the price point

The Ford Escape is. Very reliable car so fast. Had to get the transmission fixed about seven years in, but other than that, it hasn't had any major issues. However, the AC is now broken and CDs easily get stuck in the radio, and there's no aux cord plugin.

Stacy J on December 31, 2020

All wheel drive pulls great.

Good reliable vehicle haven't had to replace anything so far. Oil changes last for 5000 miles. Very comfortable riding vehicle, automatically kicks in 4 wheel drive when needed, I would definitely buy this vehicle again, has plenty of room in the trunk, perfectly family car.

Alex S on December 30, 2020

The one most important thing others should know about my car is that it's a safe car to ride in and easy to learn how to drive in.

I like having an SUV that isn't too big for my height. It's perfect for moving a lot of items and still has comfort room. The sunroof is a nice touch for when you need to ventilate. I dislike my tires, however, since the back two can't hold air well anymore. Those will be replaced soon. Another thing I dislike is not having a built-in GPS since it's an older model, but I can always buy one when I get the money to.

Ann S on December 29, 2020

Ford Escape engine problems but very comfortable.

When engine gets wet car seems to shake. Interior leather on door peeled off. Had a lot of tire problems at beginning. Engine is very loud when too hot or too cold. Lots of space in car/very roomy. When running good I enjoy driving it. Radio works well. I love this car in an updated version.

tammy m on December 27, 2020

Overall it is a great SUV

Overall it a pretty good vehicle. It is roomy and can haul a lot of stuff. I don't like the gas mileage is the only thing i can think of.

Mchayla on December 21, 2020

The transmission is horrible

I would not recommend. Have spent At least three times the money fixing the thing than i did when i bought it. Not impressed at all

Kennedy F on December 17, 2020

Ford Escape - Comfortable and Reliable

I like my Ford Escape. It's honestly a great vehicle. It has always driven well and has had few problems. It can take CDs or Bluetooth devices for all music options which is very convenient for those who like to choose what they listen to; if not, the radio works great as well. It has air conditioning for the hot summer days and heat for the frigid winter ones. A very comfortable and very reliable car.

Alicia B on November 21, 2020

A great car for a small family.

So far the car has not given me any problems. It is a great size toting around two small kids! Fits car seats in the back just great and has so much room in the trunk to store things! It runs really well and seems like a very reliable car to drive.

Natalie T on November 9, 2020

It is spacious, but it is more maneuverable than one would expect.

I love that it has space, but without being so big that it is difficult to maneuver. I also enjoy that it is not a huge gas-guzzler for its size. I also feel very safe in it. My only complaint I have ever had about it was that when I broke my rear window, the glass shards were almost impossible to remove from the carpet in the trunk.

Danielle W on November 8, 2020

Wish there was air vents in back seat.

I like how it has a great trunk that easily hold a stroller with plenty of room for other stuff such as groceries. I absolutely hate how my back seats do not have air vents. We live in Texas and in the summer it gets way too hot in the back seat for my toddlers, was even worse when they were little and rear facing. My daughters would be drenched in sweat just during the 20 minutes drive it takes me to town. We've also been having issues with the brake light fuse keeps blowing but its supposed to go in the shop soon for that. It does get decent gas mileage and is comfortable for my family of four.

Adam M on November 6, 2020

It's a fun.car, that's efficient and dependable.

It is a good combination of size and efficiency. It's adaptable. It is front wheel drive and is good on gas. Also, reliable and low maintenance.

Jeannine G on November 5, 2020

A Fun Ride For Short or Long Drives

I enjoy how the car drives. It's quiet and comfortable for longer drives. The gas mileage is pretty good for city driving which is a plus.

Gary K on November 4, 2020

Good mileage, and safe to drive.

Like the way it handles and gas mileage, ride good, comfortable and roomy, it is easy for my wife to drive, safe for grandkids.

Cara D on October 29, 2020

My SUV is reliable and fulfills its purpose.

My SUV may be old but it does get me from point A to point B everyday. I got my SUV about 3 years back for my first car and at first I hated it because it was very outdated and unappealing compared to most of my friend's cars in high school. But once I was out of high school and out of my parents' house I learned that my car is very safe, reliable, and all I need right now. It is comfortable, has good speakers, and good in the snow/up hills as well.

Dylan H on October 28, 2020

Great gas mileage and drives smooth

My vehicle gets great highway miles and somewhat good town miles. It has very comfortable seating is very roomy. There is a sunroof and a back seat. This vehicle seats up to 5 people. I have had to replace the transmission, but I had it about a whole year before it went out.

Amy W on October 21, 2020

That it is not made for a person that is tall.

I like that it is an SUV not to big and not to small. Has room not everyone is squished. I don't care that it uses more gas than I am used to.

Alicia S on October 11, 2020

New transmission at 140k miles.

At 140k miles I have had to replace transmission, shocks, and brakes. Other than that, no issues. I do regular maintenance and have replaced windshield and tires. Mine is leather interior that has sun damage. I like the sunroof and automatic features. It has made several cross country trips and has decent gas mileage.

Anna P on October 6, 2020

2007 Ford Escape- useful for any event.

The car I have now had for 4 years the only issue I have had is the sunroof leaking when it gets clogged up by leaves its an easy fix but it has been an incredible car. Its comfortable for transporting people and has a ton of room for when having to take things places.

Steph D on October 6, 2020

The front passenger airbag could explode so no one should sit in the front seat

My car is safe, reliable, and practical and gets me around town safely

Marina B on October 4, 2020

It is extremely safe and comfortable.

It is durable, has been a great car for 11 years, good on gas, four wheel drive, lots of space, and has a solid frame.

Tabatha B on September 30, 2020

The best family car for a family getaway!

Alicia M on September 25, 2020

My car has drives amazingly, and everyone should take one for atleyone test drive.

I love that I have had my car for over 2 years and not had a single problem with it so far. For Its size my truck gets very mpg. But what has to be my most favorite thing of all about it is that it is orange, which makes it really easy to ding in the parking lot at almost any store.

kim k on September 10, 2020

That it is a great car and that I would recommend it to anyone

I like the fact that it is not really big but it is big enough to take my family all together places and it gets good gas mileage

noah l on September 5, 2020

Short Review of 2007 Ford Escape

The 2007 Ford Escape, in my opinion has proved to be very reliable. It's a comfy ride, and although it looks plastic-y on the inside, I like it's design better than newer models.

Nona M on August 18, 2020

I love my reliable Ford Escape!

My Escape has been very reliable over the years. I'll be buying a new vehicle in a year or so and want another Escape! I have only had routine maintenance done. The mileage is decent, and it is very Versatile for my family and pets. It is a great compromise between a truck and car.

Janice F on August 14, 2020

My vehicle is compact but powerful.

I love my vehicle because it saves me on gas. It is small but not too small. I can park anywhere without trouble and I can fit 3 car seats in the back. The trunk is very spacious also. The seats are not too comfortable though, especially the back seat. I haven't had any problems with it either.

Courtney T on August 11, 2020

I am on a 2007 4 to escape it has been a great vehicle for us no major issues and is great in bad whether

My escape is very reliable it's good on the road good on snow and ice it has had minor repairs but nothing major very good purchase for my family works well with travel is great on gas mileage and fits perfectly with our 3 person household

Paul K on August 6, 2020

An alternator repair is very expensive for this vehicle.

Joe Blown on July 31, 2020

Transmission

Laura A on July 26, 2020

It suits many purposes. I used it for outdoor sports, family activities.

I like 4wd, runs well for older vehicle. Dislike that it rusts easily. It Starts easily in freezing temperatures. I dislike that electronics malfunction.

Olivia E on July 24, 2020

Safe & Dependable Family Car!

My Ford Escape is very dependable car! Very spacious for a CR-V. Power seating to change into my most comfortable position while driving. I trust this car to get my family where they're going, safely. Not too great on gas mileage however. No other complaints other than that!

Clare D on July 12, 2020

It's reliable and it get me everywhere I need to go

It's a cute little black escape. It makes me feel tall. I like it because it is a tank

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.