← All Ford Escape years

2019 Ford Escape VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2019 Ford Escape has good reliability. There are 3 recalls and 506 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Ford Escape. Severity signals include 22 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Engine (190), Power Train (102), Engine And Engine Cooling (78).

Escape reliability snapshot

69/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$600
Avg annual repair cost vs $521 category avg
#16/26
Ranking in compact SUVs · better than 38% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Ford Escape before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2019 Ford Escape issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Engine190
  • Power Train102
  • Engine And Engine Cooling78
  • Electrical System25
  • Unknown Or Other24
  • Steering16

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2019 Ford Escape

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect engine for coolant leaks and check for white smoke from exhaust
  • Test transmission for slipping or delayed acceleration
  • Check power steering for stiffness or failure warnings
  • Verify tire condition for sidewall damage and premature wear
  • Ensure all recall repairs have been completed

What owners reported

2019 Ford Escape owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 22 crashes, 3 fires and 27 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Ford Escape. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints190

ENGINE

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report coolant leaks into the engine cylinders, often leading to overheating, engine misfires, and in some cases, complete engine failure. Symptoms commonly described include illuminated check engine lights, rough idling, white smoke from the exhaust, and sudden loss of power. These issues are noted across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 33,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one complaint involving a crash and others describing sudden stalling or loss of control in traffic. Prospective buyers should be aware of these prevalent engine issues, especially concerning the coolant intrusion problem.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints102

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report transmission and engine issues, with many describing multiple transmission replacements, flex plate failures, and slipping or stalling transmissions. Complaints often mention symptoms such as clunking noises, loss of acceleration, and unexpected deceleration or acceleration, typically occurring between 10,000 and 126,000 miles. Engine problems are also noted, particularly coolant intrusion into the cylinders leading to engine misfires and overheating, with some owners reporting engine failure. Safety implications include incidents of stalling in traffic and six complaints involving crashes, with four injuries reported. Prospective buyers should be aware of potential transmission and engine reliability issues in this model year.

Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

Owner complaints78

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 Ford Escape's engine, primarily due to coolant intrusion into the engine or cylinders, which often results in engine failure and the need for engine replacement. Common symptoms include the illumination of the check engine warning light, engine misfires, overheating, and abnormal noises. These problems are typically noted at mileages ranging from approximately 52,000 to 133,000 miles. No reports indicate crashes, fires, or loss of vehicle control directly related to these engine issues. Buyers considering a used 2019 Ford Escape should be aware of these potential engine problems and the associated costs of repair, especially at higher mileages.

Owner complaints25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2019 Ford Escape, with common symptoms including complete loss of power, malfunctioning headlights, and erratic behavior of the vehicle's locking system. Multiple complaints highlight incidents where the vehicle stalls or loses power while driving, often accompanied by various warning lights and error messages. These issues are frequently observed at mileage ranges from approximately 8,000 to 78,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two reported crashes, one resulting in injury, linked to sudden loss of control and power. Buyers should note the potential for costly repairs related to electrical failures, especially concerning the battery, alternator, and engine components.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints24

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report significant engine issues, particularly involving coolant intrusion leading to engine failure. Symptoms commonly described include overheating, loss of power, and poor acceleration, often occurring around or beyond 50,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of backup camera malfunctions and unintended vehicle movement, with some incidents resulting in crashes and injuries. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, especially concerning engine failure while driving and unintended vehicle movement. Prospective buyers should be aware of these issues and consider them when evaluating the vehicle's condition and history.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 4 injury reports

Owner complaints16

STEERING

Owners report frequent issues with the electric power steering system of the 2019 Ford Escape. Complaints often describe the steering becoming significantly stiff or failing completely, sometimes accompanied by a dashboard warning light indicating a "power steering assist failure." This issue typically occurs around 27,000 to 83,000 miles. Some reports mention a loss of steering while driving, which poses a potential safety risk, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, several owners indicate that the steering gear or module requires replacement, with repair costs reaching several thousand dollars.

Owner complaints8

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report issues with the vehicle's door panels and liftgate. Multiple complaints describe rear door panels separating or becoming difficult to open, often requiring excessive force, with some cases noted around 50,000 miles. Additionally, the liftgate is reported to often fail to latch when using the button or remote, requiring manual intervention. Safety implications are significant, with two complaints involving crashes—one due to the vehicle rolling forward while parked, and another involving severe injuries from a rear-end collision. A fire incident is also reported, originating under the hood while the vehicle was parked. These patterns suggest potential structural and safety concerns for prospective buyers to consider.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports

Owner complaints7

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Complaints commonly describe airbags failing to deploy in front-end collisions and side impacts, with some incidents leading to significant injuries. In cases where airbags do deploy, owners note occurrences of airbag tears and chemical burns, as well as instances where airbags reportedly caught fire. The mileage at which these issues occur is around 58,000 to 59,000 miles. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, with reports of crashes, injuries, and fires associated with airbag performance. This information may be critical for prospective buyers evaluating the vehicle's safety features.

Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 11 injury reports

Owner complaints6

FUEL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report issues related to the fuel system, with common failures involving the high-pressure fuel pump, fuel injectors, and the canister purge valve. Typical symptoms include the vehicle failing to accelerate, stalling, and abnormal fuel odors, often accompanied by the check engine light. Complaints often occur around 46,000 to 145,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with one report involving a fire resulting in damage and injury. Buyers should be aware of potential repair needs for these components, as well as the possibility of unresolved issues due to parts availability.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints6

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape frequently report premature wear of the rear brake pads and rotors, often noticing issues as early as 10,800 to 20,863 miles. Common symptoms include grinding noises during braking and uneven wear between the driver's and passenger's side rear brakes. Some owners express frustration over warranty coverage not applying to brake repairs. Additionally, one complaint involves a crash where the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly while braking, resulting in an injury. These reports suggest potential safety implications and may be useful for prospective buyers to consider when evaluating this model.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

2019 Escape recalls (3)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2019 Escape. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. EQUIPMENTNHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

    Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

  2. POWER TRAINNHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

    Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

  3. TIRESNHTSA 21V155000Mar 10, 2021

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

    Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Used-market value

2019 Ford Escape resale snapshot

59.5%estimated value retained after 5 years
720listings in the model-level benchmark
$15,990median asking price from 60 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2019 Ford Escape on the road

241,387 2019 Ford Escape units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2019 Ford Escape stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2019 Ford Escape

The 2019 Ford Escape achieves a reliability score of 69, slightly above the segment average of 66. However, the complaint data reveals a concentration of issues, particularly in the engine and power train categories, which together account for a significant portion of the total complaints. This suggests potential concerns in these critical areas, which could impact long-term reliability.

The model has been subject to three recalls, indicating a moderate level of issues requiring manufacturer intervention. While the number of electrical system complaints is relatively low, the focus of problems in the engine-related categories is notable.

Overall, the 2019 Escape presents a moderate reliability profile. Buyers should weigh the potential risks associated with the concentrated engine and power train issues when considering this vehicle.

What you get in a 2019 Ford Escape report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

Check a 2019 Ford Escape now

Confirm exact options, recall completion, accident history, and odometer accuracy in minutes.

2019 Ford Escape — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Ford Escape reliable?

The 2019 Ford Escape achieves a reliability score of 69, slightly above the segment average of 66. However, the complaint data reveals a concentration of issues, particularly in the engine and power train categories, which together account for a significant portion of the total complaints. This suggests potential concerns in these critical areas, which could impact long-term reliability.

How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Escape have?

3 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2019 Ford Escape. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2019 Ford Escape problems?

The most-reported 2019 Ford Escape problem areas are: Engine (190), Power Train (102), Engine And Engine Cooling (78).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2019 Ford Escape?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2019 Ford Escape, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.