MODEL
Ford Escape Gas
NHTSA safety across every Ford Escape Gas model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Ford Escape Gas we cover (2025 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 91 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2026 at 88. No recalls are on record across those years.
The 2025 Ford Escape Gas is a compact SUV squarely aimed at everyday family drivers and commuters who want a practical, right-sized crossover in one of the most competitive segments on the market. Now in its current generation, the Escape competes against stalwarts like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, positioning itself as a mainstream choice with a familiar, approachable character for buyers prioritizing comfort and versatility.
From a pure safety standpoint, the 2025 Ford Escape Gas earns serious respect. Its NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100 places it squarely in the Exceptional band, which is not a label the federal agency hands out casually in the crowded compact SUV segment. The underlying crash-test results back that score up convincingly: a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side crash testing, with a solid 4 out of 5 stars in rollover resistance. That rollover score is typical for tall-riding crossovers and should not alarm shoppers, but it is worth noting. What genuinely stands out is the recall picture: zero recalls across the 2025 model year. For a vehicle in its first year of a production cycle, that kind of clean sheet is meaningful and suggests Ford's pre-launch quality controls held up. Owner complaints sit at just 19 total, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those filings. It bears repeating that NHTSA complaints are unverified allegations, not confirmed defects, but the low volume and absence of serious incident reports is encouraging. Taken together, the 2025 Escape Gas delivers an exceptional federal safety profile with no significant red flags at this early stage. It is a genuinely strong choice for safety-conscious compact SUV shoppers.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Ford Escape as a competent, well-rounded compact SUV that handles everyday driving duties without drama. They tend to praise its comfortable ride and user-friendly interior while acknowledging the segment is fiercely competitive. Most consider it a sensible, if not class-leading, choice that earns its place among the top contenders for mainstream family buyers.
- The 2025 Escape Gas earned an NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band, which is among the strongest safety ratings available from the federal agency for any vehicle in this segment.
- Federal crash testing returned perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side impact categories, meaning the Escape performed at the highest measurable level in the two most common real-world collision scenarios.
- The 2025 model year carries zero NHTSA recalls, a genuinely clean record that is worth tracking as the model year matures and accumulates more real-world miles in owner hands.
- Nineteen owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2025 model year, with zero reports of crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among them. These are unverified allegations, but the low count and absence of serious incident reports are a positive early indicator.