Ford Escape PHEV Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Escape PHEV model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (1) and the 2021 the most (22).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | — |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
4 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
7 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2023 | 11 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 1 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2022 | 78 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Escape PHEV years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2021 Ford Escape PHEV: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 8 (36%); Engine 8 (36%); Power train 3 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Ford Escape PHEV: 1 complaints
1 recall campaign listed.
The Ford Escape PHEV years with the fewest complaints
2020 Ford Escape PHEV: 1 complaints
1 recall campaign listed.
2021 Ford Escape PHEV: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 8 (36%); Engine 8 (36%); Power train 3 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Escape PHEV owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 78 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Escape PHEV recalls
- High Voltage Battery May Short Circuit (2022–2026 model years; 25,237 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2026; 26V091000)
- High Voltage Battery May Short Circuit (2020–2024 model years; 20,558 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2025; 25V789000)
All 2 Ford Escape PHEV recall campaigns · Ford Escape PHEV problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Escape PHEV years FAQ
Which Ford Escape PHEV year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Escape PHEV years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2021 and 2020 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Escape PHEV problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (48 of 124 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Escape PHEV have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the Ford Escape PHEV. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Escape PHEV recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.