Ford Escape Structure Problems
Owners have filed 2,296 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Ford Escape across 25 model years. The 2020 model year has the most (670). The words owners use most often: “side door” (16% of reports).
- 2,296structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 54mention a crash
- 53mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $2,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 24%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.
- Side door: mentioned in 373 of 2,296 complaints (16%)
- Wheel well: mentioned in 344 of 2,296 complaints (15%)
- Spot welds: mentioned in 148 of 2,296 complaints (6%)
- Check arm: mentioned in 142 of 2,296 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Ford Escape at $2,050, and half of them between $1,000 and $3,200.
Based on 79 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2025), 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 structure problems happen?
Based on 1,361 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,296 complaints, 54 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 53 an injury.
Ford Escape structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Escape | 2 | 3% | 9,062 |
| 2023 Escape | 5 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 20 | 9% | 10,000 |
| 2021 Escape | 92 | 26% | 41,500 |
| 2020 Escape | 670 | 42% | 45,000 |
| 2019 Escape | 12 | 2% | 36,200 |
| 2018 Escape | 20 | 1% | 22,000 |
| 2017 Escape | 62 | 2% | 40,000 |
| 2016 Escape | 21 | 2% | 29,902 |
| 2015 Escape | 36 | 3% | 47,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 84 | 4% | 40,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 87 | 3% | 39,306 |
| 2012 Escape | 68 | 11% | 57,000 |
| 2011 Escape | 43 | 3% | 48,000 |
| 2010 Escape | 84 | 4% | 65,500 |
| 2009 Escape | 32 | 2% | 72,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 41 | 2% | 80,000 |
| 2007 Escape | 18 | 7% | 115,000 |
| 2006 Escape | 63 | 14% | 128,400 |
| 2005 Escape | 434 | 31% | 120,000 |
| 2004 Escape | 138 | 28% | 120,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 121 | 22% | 109,000 |
| 2002 Escape | 87 | 8% | 125,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 54 | 5% | 132,800 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025
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.
Structure:body:bumpers:active shutters/grill; structure:frame and members:underbody shields; engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will modify the under engine shield and active grille shutter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S47.
Structure:body:door
Model years: 2013, 2014
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving.
Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S03.
Structure:frame and members
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
Structure; service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2012 through june 7, 2012. Due to mis-positioned carpet padding the center console trim panel may be pushed outboard of the intended position, reducing clearance relative to the pedal package.
Risk: The reduced clearance may result in the driverâs foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel, free of charge. The recall began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The liftgate hinge cover flew off of my car on the highway and hit the car behind me. Other Escape years have been recalled, but the 2023 year was skipped.
Sun roof is leaking into the passenger compartment. Car was typically parked under cover and not driven in inclement wether. Drain hose was found not to be clogged however water is leaking into the passenger compartment. Staining the headliner seats and collecting on the floors. The date is the…
Several spots on the body are misaligned which could indicate underlying assembly issues down to the frame which could impact crumple zones and safety.
Driver door would wonât latch I tried wd40 and put the latch back in place noting working I thought I should notify that it is a safety risk
Vehicle purchased from dealer with concealed total loss history and federal/state odometer fraud. Official state title records show the odometer froze at 73,539 miles between Tennessee title issued March 2025 and Ohio title issued January 2026. Live OBD-II scanner diagnostics confirm true vehicle…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,296 owner complaints about structure for the Ford Escape. 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 structure?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,050 (half paid between $1,000 and $3,200), from 79 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “side door”, in 373 of 2,296 complaints, followed by “wheel well” (344).
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,206)
- Power Train problems (4,654)
- Steering problems (3,944)
- Electrical System problems (2,524)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,330)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,833)
- Suspension problems (1,145)
See all Ford Escape problems.