The Ford Escape has experienced some rather mixed results in various recent Consumer Reports tests, results that vary greatly depending on the model year and type of powertrain we’re talking about. While some versions of the Escape remain reliable rides that perform well in the real world, others have been plagued by various issues and – as a result – haven’t received a ton of praise from the consumer organization and its members. Now, that continues, as the 2021-2023 Ford Escape Hybrid, specifically, has landed on Consumer Reports‘ latest list of used vehicles to avoid.
In this recent study, Consumer Reports identified a total of 67 different vehicles that it recommends used vehicle shoppers avoid, a group that’s based on data collected from its Annual Ownership Surveys. There, CR can determine an average problem rate for a variety of vehicles from particular model years, after which it highlights the ones that have a reputation for lower-than-average reliability based on actual owner data. When that data was calculated, the 2021-2023 Ford Escape made the “cut,” along with the regular ICE-powered 2021 Escape and the Ford Bronco Sport from that same model year.
Since the current-generation Ford Escape Hybrid debuted for the 2020 model year, it hasn’t performed well in Consumer Reports testing in terms of reliability, either. In fact, the 2020 model scored two out of five possible points in that area, followed by scores of one in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Just this past December, the Ford Escape Hybrid was added to CR‘s list of the least reliable vehicles on sale, based on owner complaints pertaining to problems such as squeaky brakes and broken interior trim pieces, as well as out-of-warranty engine, transmission, and battery problems.
The same fate hasn’t befallen the non-hybrid Escape, however. In fact, it was just re-added to Consumer Reports‘ list of recommended vehicles back in December, providing a bit of a sharp contrast to the electrified model.
Comment
I own a ’22 Escape Hybrid with over 40,000 miles. It has been recalled twice; once for a possible fuel hazard in the engine compartment and once for reinforcement of the front doors.
To quote CR: “problems such as squeaky brakes (nope, not on mine) and broken interior trim pieces (nope, not on mine), as well as out-of-warranty engine, transmission, and battery problems (nope, not on mine).” Did replace the 12V battery after three years which can be considered a normal replacement.