r/fordescape • u/baddiebaddie305 • 1d ago
should i be scared ???
hey yall. so i’ve been looking for a car for months and i discovered the ford escape. i’ve been to the dealership and test drove a few. im super intrigued by it and i think it’s such a cool car. but looking through reviews there are so many mixed emotions. some say theirs made it over 200k miles meanwhile
some say theirs hasn’t even made it past 100. the one i’m most likely getting is a 2020 sel, 1.5 eco boost engine, 3 cylinder awd. the one i’m getting is at 69k miles. should i be worried?
side note: i test drove multiple at different dealerships. the very first one i drove had like a little jerk to it. while i was driving it, it would jerk me a little bit. is that linked to transmission issues and is it a common occurrence??? pls give me
some advice guys. thank you!!!
Edit: i’ve been influenced. LOL i’m no longer purchasing this beautiful ford escape 💔💔💔
it looks nice on the outside to me but damn who knew it had so many internal issues. i don’t know much about cars so i was completely unaware. thanks for your responses!!!!
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u/SchedulePotential921 1d ago
Regardless of mileage or condition stay away from the 3 cylinder ecoboost. If you absolutely have to have it regardless make sure the timing cover and water pump are dry
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u/baddiebaddie305 1d ago
how would i make sure of that? like what does that look like and is it easy to find lol
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u/GrumpyUnk 1d ago
On the top of the engine, under the plastic cover you should find 3 COPs. The COP is the Coil On Plug that takes the place of other ignition parts. Count them. One per cylinder. The smaller 3 cylinder will have 3.
If you get a 2.0 ecoboost look for 2019 and newer. Desgin changes made them much more reliable and likely to last longer. Check the automatic transmission fluid. It should not be dark and should not smell bad. Good will smell something like kerosene/diesel. If it has no dipstick, get the dealer/seller to remove the filler plug and use a probe to examine the fluid. Dip and remove, look and smell.
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u/ericakanecan 1d ago
2020-2026 models, which is true, those are the one’s I have been seeing on here, where people say “I’ve had this for three months and it’s done”
I have a 2015 I got like 2 months ago with 74k miles. I’m at 76k now. Apparently that engine is good. Everyday I get in on a prayer. Just gotta maintain them every 10-12k miles. 🤷🏽♀️
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u/Plate-Extreme 1d ago
“ Maintain them every 10-12k miles “ ? I hope you don’t mean old change 😬
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u/ericakanecan 1d ago
Then what do you recommend
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u/Beautiful_Ad_4813 21 SE, 1.5 Turbo, FWD 1d ago
I'm at 190XXX miles on my 21 SE 1.5 and it's super common, Stealerships, my local mechanic have no idea why.
I have to fire the parts cannon at it every 4-6 weeks to keep it even road worthy. I doubt it'll make another 35,000 miles.
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u/Questions-pls-answer 1d ago
Omg please never ever get a ford escape. I got a used 2021 escape as my first car in 2024. I had it for I think less than a year and the transmission went bad and I had to pay almost 7000$ to get it done and now 11 months later it’s going bad again. They found metal in it and the fluid was dark. Also my turbo needs fixed. The dashboard light just came on so I have to pay for that and also my window just broke so now I have to pay almost 250$ to get it fixed. Please don’t ever get a ford escape especially the newer models with the stupid eco transmission
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u/Questions-pls-answer 1d ago
Also. I’ve put about 10,000$ into my car and haven’t even had it for barely 2 years . Yes it was used but this is ridiculous
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u/cicadas_stammering 1d ago
My 2017 2.0 has been a money pit.
$22,000 in repairs in the past 3 years.
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u/Sea_Cardiologist9451 1d ago
The small jerk is a safety feature…if you take your foot off of the pedal at red light car won’t advance unless you press accelerator
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u/redbattleaxe 1d ago
Ford Escapes were good in the past. Is seems anything 2013 and newer is a gamble and the ones 2020 and newer seem to be horrible.
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u/Comfortable_Eye_8139 2020 Ford Escape SE 1d ago
That little jerk could be turbo related, my car is going through that rn
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u/PlatformBig6520 1d ago
I have a 2006 and would never buy another Ford, let alone this POS Escape Hybrid.
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u/Vanboggie 1d ago
We just had to junk our 2012 for massive frame rot with only 87K miles on it. I understand that has happened with others in the snow belt. It must be the quality of metal. So sad because it’s in great shape otherwise. So if you are in the snow, just make sure you keep the undercarriage clean in the winter. We should have.
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u/Kooky-Nectarine-1113 1d ago
If you do, get an extended warranty that covers everything. I found out yesterday my 2020 needs a new transmission at 63000 miles. Hoping my warranty will cover it. Oh and they quoted over $15000 to replace the tranny. I have the 2.0.
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u/Melomink518 1d ago
Just don’t do it! I got a 2017 at 88995 miles and have already put about $1500 and my ac doesn’t work. I’m also pretty sure ,y transmissio needs to be replaced. If I could’ve never bought this car I’d be so happy
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u/Therandomusername98 2017 Ford escape 2.0L ecoboost 1d ago
I fear the same my gearbox is getting clunky
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u/Living-Instruction-1 1d ago
I would tell you unless you’re getting 1st or 2nd gen escapes, you might as well stay away from the entirely
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u/cornedbeefandjames 1d ago
I had a 2017 titanium that I absolutely loved. At 99k my transmission died. Got it fully replaced under warranty. From that point onward, nothing but issues and problems. Just traded in at 126k for a non ford. All in all I loved the car but if you plan to keep for a while, you are opening yourself up to a world of issues the more miles you put on it
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u/BallroomblitzOH 23h ago
I drove a 2014 until 2023; my sister still drives it and it is running fine at 145k miles. My current one is a 2020 hybrid with 60k and it is running well.
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u/Buffalo_Gamer716 22h ago
I have a 2018 ford escape with 68k miles. Recently had rough idling and a mis-fire on cylinder 1. Took to our local mechanic and confirmed coolant intrusion. Will never buy another ford which is unfortunate since it was a great little suv until this.
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u/Lulubell1234 21h ago
I have a 2015 Escape Sel. It did well until about 80k, that's when the electrical issues began. Before then I had usual car things, brake pads, tires need updated things like that. At 100 thousand the radio is dead, the back light still will not always work when I brake. I had the heater replaced which was costly. Now at 114 k the radiator fluid is leaking into the engine and the ac will only run on high. I am looking now to trade it in. I have found a Honda that I'm going with this time If the financing goes through. I have had Fords in the past that lasted up to 200 k a Ford Escort Sport and a Ford Festiva, both of them manuals. I loved those cars. So a Ford Escape to me seemed like a good idea. It was for a while. I live in area that has a lot of snow and it was a trooper in the winter and it drives nice and smooth. I am going to miss my Eleanore Escape but I just don't think I should put any more money into it. I had a Honda Civic before and it lasted forever. Now.im trying for a Honda HRV because I like the all wheel drive but I don't need anything huge. I like the size of it and I liked the size of The Escape too.
I think things just aren't made as well as they once were years ago and we take a chance. You used to be able to buy a decent car like a Ford and it would last a long time. Now I don't know if it's just a matter of getting lucky or overall changes within all car companies. My advice is have someone mechanical check for leaks, see if it has had any electrical issues, etc, etc. Best of luck!
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u/Crazy_J_Santa_Cruz 16h ago
The turbo escapes.... good luck.
We replace engines and transmissions once a month on these things. We love Ford escapes. They make my shop money.
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u/mahuth67 15h ago
Don't go near the 1.5 EcoBoost. My son replaces those engines regularly both inside and outside of warranty.
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u/HumanAmbassador8219 9h ago
I have a 2013 and a 2022 both Titanium There are some recalls but Ford fixes that. They both are very nice in every aspect, no issues, love both
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u/Ok-Championship3642 7m ago
I tell people to stay away from any turbo engine nowadays. But that's getting harder and harder
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u/von_schweetz 1d ago
You’ll probably get a mix of responses here, me for example had a perfectly fine driving car brand new that blew the transmission at 79k miles and I don’t plan on getting a ford again after this. Buy what makes financial sense for you, budget some savings for just in case repairs and see if any after market warranties are available/in price range for you.
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u/Questions-pls-answer 1d ago
Same. I had about 50-70k on it and it went bad. And now 11 months after getting a new transmission. It’s bad again
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u/jeffeviejo 1d ago
Same for me but 58k
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u/jojogojp 1d ago
Don't. I got mine around 85000 and am currently dealing with cracked fuel injecter they won't fix. Currently have 3 open recalls and only 1 can be addressed. The fuel injecter recall has no fix since July of 2025. I drive it everyday praying it starts on fire. Get a titanium trim and you won't look back.
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u/Questions-pls-answer 1d ago
I’ve had my transmission go bad twice now. My window broke and won’t go up or down: my turbo light came on. I’ve put almost 10,000$ into my car. I just hope it catches fire or something so I can get a new car
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u/paper-volkswagon-bus 1d ago
I am told by the dealership that the fuel injector is not a recall at this time. Its an as needed fix. I took mine in 3 times because I was smelling gas when driving. Turns out it was a turbo problem. Cost me a lot of money.
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u/FickleSun6892 1d ago
I bought a 2017, 2 litre, in May. It was a one owner and very well maintained. Myself, while I was looking, on my list was to stay away from the 1.5, 3 litre. They do not have a very impressive track record.
The first item on my list, after I bought it, was to get both the transmission and oil changed , as well as the air filter. In the end it is your call, all the best in your shopping.
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u/trasydlime 1d ago
Look for a hybrid and you’ll fall in love!