Ford Escape Hybrid Engine Problems
Owners have filed 345 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Ford Escape Hybrid across 14 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (74). The words owners use most often: “stop safely” (23% of reports).
- 345engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $3,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 62%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Stop safely: mentioned in 80 of 345 complaints (23%)
- Throttle body: mentioned in 33 of 345 complaints (10%)
- Red triangle: mentioned in 30 of 345 complaints (9%)
- Engine contacted: mentioned in 19 of 345 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Ford Escape Hybrid at $3,800, and half of them between $2,500 and $4,850.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 213 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 345 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 5 a fire.
Ford Escape Hybrid engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Escape Hybrid | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2023 Escape Hybrid | 3 | 13% | — |
| 2022 Escape Hybrid | 34 | 50% | 55,000 |
| 2021 Escape Hybrid | 36 | 29% | 14,500 |
| 2020 Escape Hybrid | 64 | 22% | 37,400 |
| 2013 Escape Hybrid | 4 | 80% | 87,178 |
| 2012 Escape Hybrid | 2 | 13% | 32,626 |
| 2011 Escape Hybrid | 4 | 11% | 49,000 |
| 2010 Escape Hybrid | 12 | 20% | 62,500 |
| 2009 Escape Hybrid | 24 | 16% | 87,749 |
| 2008 Escape Hybrid | 74 | 17% | 79,270 |
| 2007 Escape Hybrid | 27 | 22% | 79,750 |
| 2006 Escape Hybrid | 43 | 20% | 123,561 |
| 2005 Escape Hybrid | 17 | 10% | 101,548 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
"While driving my 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid, the vehicle suffered an abrupt powertrain failure. A wrench icon and check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle immediately dropped into a low-speed mode that severely limited my throttle control on the road. I was unable to drive…
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and a code for ABS Internal Module Failure was displayed. The contact was…
On Saturday at approximately 8:25 p.m., my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL abruptly entered limp mode while traveling on a major highway. The vehicle's speed rapidly dropped from approximately 60-65mph to 20 mph in heavy, high-speed (many driving over 70mph)traffic. I immediately activated my hazard…
On 20 July 2026, my 2022 Ford Escape HEV caught fire in the engine compartment while parked. The vehicle is likely a total loss (insurance pending). On-site emergency personnel responded within minutes of the fire and the local fire department was on scene within 5 minutes of the 911 call. They…
While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin to say the engine is hot and sometimes without warning going to stop safely now however when you open the hood nothing is hot to touch and there's an extreme amount of coolant gone from the engine coolant tank have replaced coolant tank itself still…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escape Hybrids have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 345 owner complaints about engine for the Ford Escape Hybrid. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape Hybrid engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Ford Escape Hybrid?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,800 (half paid between $2,500 and $4,850), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Ford Escape Hybrid?
The most frequent phrase is “stop safely”, in 80 of 345 complaints, followed by “throttle body” (33).
Other Ford Escape Hybrid problems
- Service Brakes problems (321)
- Steering problems (276)
- Electrical System problems (240)
- Structure problems (186)
- Power Train problems (159)
See all Ford Escape Hybrid problems.