2025 Ford Escape
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 1.5l AWD, 4dr SUV 1.5l FWD, 4dr SUV 2.0l AWD, 4dr SUV 2.5l Hybrid AWD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 40 combined · 42 city / 37 hwy
- Length
- 180.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,283–3,904 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 10 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 38% better than the average 2025 small SUV (29 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- 10 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 40 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Ford Escape is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, part-time 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 181 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,419 lb (4dr SUV 1.5l AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 40 MPG combined (42 city / 37 highway), 38% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $1,700 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 10 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2025
- New plug-in hybrid version
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Escape →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Louisville, Kentucky
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Escape configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 1.5l AWD | 180.7 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,419 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV 1.5l FWD | 180.7 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,283 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr SUV 2.0l AWD | 180.7 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,543 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV 2.5l Hybrid AWD | 180.7 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,904 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV 2.5l Hybrid FWD | 180.7 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,519 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr SUV 2.5l PHEV AWD | 180.7 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 106.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,684 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 42 / 37 / 40 | +38% | $1,700 | 78 |
| Escape FWD HEV Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 42 / 36 / 39 | +34% | $1,700 | 225 |
| Escape AWD HEV Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 42 / 36 / 39 | +52% | $1,700 | 225 |
| Escape FWD | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 34 / 30 | +3% | $2,250 | 298 |
| Escape AWD | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 32 / 28 | +9% | $2,400 | 316 |
| Escape AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +2% | $2,600 | 336 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2025 Ford Escape.
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Escape (this car) | 40 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2025 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (10)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) · Mar 3, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Feb 17, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V091000 · 25,237 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- Risk
- Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Dec 12, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V862000 · 780 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
- Risk
- An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge And Attachments · Dec 1, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V829000 · 108,762 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 14, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V787000 · 2 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and Escape vehicles. The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control) or a loss of brake power assist.
- Risk
- Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.
Engine · Jun 3, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V372000 · 404 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
- Risk
- An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · May 23, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V343000 · 6,781 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
- Risk
- An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Mar 14, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V161000 · 4,721 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Escape vehicles. The rearview camera may incorrectly display an inverted image when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- An inverted rearview camera image will not accurately display what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C08.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Jan 31, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V049000 · 298 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Bronco Sport, Escape, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" as well as FMVSS numbers 126, 108, 135, 138, 208, and 305.
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C02.
Air Bags › Frontal · Nov 8, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V850000 · 15 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- 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.
- 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.
Not every 2025 Ford Escape is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Ford Escape buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 5,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Ford Escape. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Escape years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2024 Escape | 39 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 88 |
| 2023 Escape | 40 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 138 |
| 2022 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 21 | 386 |
| 2021 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 21 | 498 |
| 2020 Escape | 41 | 180.7 in | ★★★★★ | 25 | 1,908 |
| 2019 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 597 |
| 2018 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 1,822 |
| 2017 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 2,702 |
| 2016 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 1,170 |
| 2015 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 9 | 1,131 |
| 2014 Escape | 26 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 16 | 2,023 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →