NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2025 Ford Escape Safety Ratings
The 2025 Ford Escape scores 82 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 9 recalls, and 19 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV presents a complex safety profile, with nine recall campaigns overshadowing an otherwise competitive showing in federal testing. These recalls demand careful review by prospective owners. The vehicle achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 82/100, placing it in our Strong band. Its crash-test scores are competitive within its class, complemented by fully standard avoidance technology. While a defensible choice on paper, the recall record requires due diligence.
The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV SUV FWD holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, sourced from NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 153 SUVs from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Ford Escape ranks 132 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 | 82 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.3% |
| Recalls on file | 9 |
| Owner complaints | 19 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 132 of 153 SUVs tested for 2025 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Ford Escape?
The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV moves the NHTSA Safety Index one point forward to 82/100 from the 2024 model's 81/100, both sitting in the Strong band. That single-point gain is modest but reflects a stable crash-protection score of 61 out of 70 and a perfect 10 out of 10 for avoidance technology, where forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control are all standard equipment. The drag on the index is the defect record component, which lands at 11 out of 20, pulled down by nine active recall campaigns. Those campaigns are notably varied in scope: the rear seat belt retractor recall is a direct occupant-restraint concern, the ESC brake booster ECU cover recall touches the same electronic stability system that earns full avoidance-tech credit, and the cylinder head defect recall flags a manufacturing irregularity in the engine. The EGR valve campaign spans a broad Ford lineup, placing this Escape among many affected vehicles. Nineteen unverified owner complaints, led by alleged electrical and engine issues, align loosely with the recall themes and reinforce the importance of checking remedy completion before purchase or continued operation.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Ford Escape perform in crash tests?
The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV achieves a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its side protection tests earned a full 5 out of 5 stars. Both frontal crash protection and the rollover resistance evaluation received 4 out of 5 stars. The measured rollover risk for this variant is 14 percent, with no dynamic tip event occurring during testing. All safety categories for this model variant have published ratings.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20304
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes, nine recall campaigns cover this model year. Components addressed include the EGR valve emission control system, rear seat belt retractors on both sides, liftgate hinge cover attachments, the electronic stability control brake booster ECU cover, and a cylinder head manufacturing defect affecting the engine. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the supplied campaign data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)26V122000
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-03
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR25V862000
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
Reported 2025-12-12
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS25V829000
Risk: A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
Reported 2025-12-01
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)25V787000
Risk: Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.
Reported 2025-11-14
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: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V161000
Risk: An inverted rearview camera image will not accurately display what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C08.
Reported 2025-03-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V049000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C02.
Reported 2025-01-31
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Ford Escape?
Nineteen unverified consumer allegations have been reported to NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the Electrical System with 6 reports, the Engine with 5, and Power Train with 3. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged in these unverified filings.
19 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Ford Escape?
Nine open campaigns mean remedy completion will vary by unit; any shopper considering this 1-year-old vehicle should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. Confirm with the selling dealer or Ford directly that all applicable repairs, especially the seat belt retractor and ESC-related campaigns, have been performed and documented.
- Nine recall campaigns are active for the 2025 model year specifically, a higher campaign count than the defect-record sub-score of 11/20 reflects, and each must be checked by VIN for completion status.
- The rear seat belt retractor recall, covering both left and right rear positions on 2025 Escape vehicles, is a direct occupant-restraint issue that should be treated as a priority repair.
- The ESC brake booster ECU cover recall is notable because electronic stability control is the same system credited in the avoidance-tech score, making its physical integrity relevant to the safety rating assumptions.
- The 2025 index gain of one point over 2024 is driven by consistent crash-test performance, not by an improvement in the defect record, which remains the weakest component of the three scored categories at 11 out of 20.
RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Ford Escape places
The 2025 Ford Escape qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2025 Ford Escape safety questions
Was the 2025 Ford Escape crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Ford Escape, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 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 2025 Ford Escape crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2025 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 2025 Ford Escape have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 9 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 Ford Escape. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2025 Ford Escape?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 19 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Ford Escape. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Escape years
Rivals in SUV (2025)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Lexus Rz 300e | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Tesla Model X | 96/100 | not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Acura ADX | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20304), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Escape 2025.
- 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 132 of 153 in the SUV class for 2025.
- 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.