NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2024 Ford Escape Safety Ratings
The 2024 Ford Escape scores 81 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 8 recalls, and 74 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2024 Ford Escape PHEV SUV FWD improves its safety standing, earning a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. This represents a meaningful five-point climb from the 2023 model year's 76. While eight active recall campaigns temper the overall picture, the vehicle's crash-test performance and full credit for avoidance technology anchor its solid safety profile.
The 2024 Ford Escape PHEV SUV FWD received a 5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100 based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 144 SUVs from 2024 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2024 Ford Escape ranks 115 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 81 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.3% |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 74 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 115 of 144 SUVs tested for 2024 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2024 Ford Escape?
The 2024 Ford Escape PHEV SUV FWD represents a measurable safety improvement over its immediate predecessor. The five-point Index gain, from 76 in the Average band to 81 in the Strong band, was driven primarily by stronger crash-test results and a perfect avoidance-technology score of 10 out of 10, reflecting that forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control are all standard equipment. Crash protection contributed 61 of a possible 70 points, a competitive result anchored by the 5-star overall and 5-star side ratings. The defect record component, however, scored only 9.5 out of 20, the weakest segment of the Index, and that weight is explained by eight recall campaigns. Two of those campaigns are PHEV-specific: the battery management system recall addresses a manufacturing defect in the energy control module across 2020-2024 Escape and related Lincoln models, a direct concern for plug-in hybrid buyers. The concentration of owner-reported complaints in electrical and active-safety system categories, 27 alleged electrical issues and a combined 37 alleged incidents touching the forward collision and lane-departure systems, echoes the recall themes and warrants attention even though those complaints remain unverified allegations.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2024 Ford Escape perform in crash tests?
The 2024 Ford Escape achieved an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Its side impact protection earned the highest mark of 5 stars. Frontal crash protection was rated at 4 stars, matching the 4-star assessment for rollover protection. The measured rollover risk for the Escape stands at 14 percent, with no dynamic tip observed during testing. All categories for this model year received a rating.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 19115
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2024 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Eight recall campaigns cover the 2024 Escape. Active issues span an engine cylinder-head manufacturing defect, two separate electrical-system concerns including a battery management system defect specific to the PHEV powertrain, a back-over prevention software fault, and a labels equipment issue. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN.
ENGINE25V372000
Risk: An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.
Reported 2025-06-03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25V343000
Risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Reported 2025-05-23
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)24V954000
Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S79.
Reported 2024-12-20
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V852000
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Reported 2024-11-08
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL24V850000
Risk: During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C38.
Reported 2024-11-08
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS24V634000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.
Reported 2024-08-23
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL24V440000
Risk: Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions increase
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S39.
Reported 2024-06-14
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2024 Ford Escape?
Owners have filed 74 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the Electrical System with 27 reports, Forward Collision Avoidance with 19, and Lane Departure with 18. Those allegations also include 3 reported crashes and 4 reported injuries. All figures represent unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
74 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2024 Ford Escape?
Eight recalls have been issued for the 2024 Escape, indicating a notable volume of post-sale safety and compliance actions. Prior to purchase, any prospective owner of this model year should verify through the NHTSA recall lookup tool that all campaigns, including those addressing the PHEV battery management system and the back-over prevention software, have been completed by a franchised dealer.
- The 2024 model year's Safety Index of 81 marks a five-point improvement over the 2023 Escape's score of 76, the largest single-year gain reflected in the current data set for this nameplate.
- A PHEV-specific recall targeting the battery management system and energy control module was issued for 2020-2024 Escape plug-in hybrid variants, making VIN verification especially important for buyers of this powertrain configuration.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA are concentrated in the Electrical System (27 alleged), Forward Collision Avoidance (19 alleged), and Lane Departure (18 alleged) categories, categories that overlap directly with active recall campaigns on this model year.
- Despite the 5-star overall NHTSA rating, the defect record component of the Safety Index scored only 9.5 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of eight recall campaigns and pulling the total Index below what the crash-test results alone would suggest.
RANKINGSWhere the 2024 Ford Escape places
The 2024 Ford Escape qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2024 Ford Escape safety questions
Was the 2024 Ford Escape crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2024 Ford Escape, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2024 Ford Escape crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2024 Ford Escape earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 14.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2024 Ford Escape have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2024 Ford Escape. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2024 Ford Escape?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 74 owner complaints are on file for the 2024 Ford Escape. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Escape years
Rivals in SUV (2024)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Lexus Rz 300e | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2024 Tesla Model Y Rwd | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness | 98/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2024 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2024 Buick Encore GX | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2024 Nissan Murano | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 19115), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Escape 2024.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 115 of 144 in the SUV class for 2024.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.