
The Ford Escape has been a popular choice among compact SUVs since its debut for the 2001 model year. Having undergone multiple facelifts over four generations, it’s almost a shame the American brand is ending the Escape’s production this year, and the model might not be available to purchase in six states in 2026. With that being said, there are still plenty of other model years and generations to choose from that generally stand the test of time. Ford models’ reliability can be hit or miss, so how about the Escape? In this article, we explore the Escape’s overall reliability, how much you can expect to pay over your first five to ten years of ownership, common Ford Escape problems, and the worst model year to be avoided at all costs.