MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

MODEL

Ford Escape Gas Safety

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 MOTORCALIBER REVIEW
MotorCaliber editorial ◆ Reviewed against NHTSA data ◆ 2026-10-01

The 2025 Ford Escape Gas is a compact SUV. It is 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.

The 2025 Ford Escape Gas enters the market with a remarkable safety profile, distinguishing itself through an absence of recalls. For a new model year vehicle, zero recalls recorded by NHTSA represents a significant achievement, suggesting robust pre-production quality control. This clean record underpins an Exceptional NHTSA Safety Index score of 91 out of 100. Federal crash testing further reinforces this assessment. The Escape Gas achieved 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side impact evaluations. Its rollover resistance rating is 4 out of 5 stars, a common result for vehicles in the compact SUV class and not an area of concern given the overall performance. Owner complaints are minimal, with 19 total filings. These complaints include no reports of crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities. While NHTSA logs unverified complaints, the low volume and absence of serious incident reporting align with the vehicle's strong federal safety ratings. The 2025 Ford Escape Gas presents as a highly secure option in its segment.

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.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • 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.

Safety Index by year

BY YEAREscape Gas by model year

Other Ford models