2007 Ford Escape problems & reliability
254 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Ford Escape, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
8 complaints report injuries (9 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2007 Ford Escape vehicles were involved in 60 fatal crashes with 45 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 44 | 17% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 40 | 16% |
| Electrical System → | 30 | 12% |
| Service Brakes → | 30 | 12% |
| Engine → | 25 | 10% |
| Suspension → | 19 | 7% |
| Structure → | 18 | 7% |
| Unknown OR Other | 18 | 7% |
| Steering → | 15 | 6% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 13 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 74,000 miles (middle 50% between 45,000 and 109,108 miles), based on 203 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“My 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (mileage currently 180,000 but the issue started around 150,000 miles) will occasionally (varies from once a week to once every 3 months) not respond properly when I'm accelerating from a stop. When this happens, I can push the accelerator all the way to the floor, but the car will…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Feb 28, 2025
“While driving, a red triangle to safely stop came up and the vehicle engine shut down. I could not accelerate since the engine was shut down, I could only coast and brake. After the vehicle has been cooling down for 20 min, I’m able to restart the vehicle and drive again until the same issue occurs again. No light on…”
Power Train · filed Dec 7, 2024
“The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an inspection, the contact was informed that the subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the…”
Structure · filed Dec 6, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Defect Petition DP12006 · opened Oct 2, 2012 · closed Feb 21, 2013
- TIRE VALVE CRACKING
Preliminary Evaluation PE08060 · opened Oct 14, 2008 · closed Apr 9, 2009
Technical service bulletins
21 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2007 Ford Escape. The 10 most recent:
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle…
SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 4, 2023
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a…
SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2016
Ford: a job aid was developed and now available for the ptu internal or external fluid leakage for all wheel drive vehicles. *pe
ASI-44649 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2014
Ford: some model vehicles would lose 2nd and 4th gear on a cd4e transmission. Model escape 2007-2008. *pe
TSB-12-4-8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 16, 2012
Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration. *rm
AS-21769 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2011
Ford: there is excessive engine or exhaust noise, or an exhaust odor due to an exhaust leak. There will be no warning codes or lights. 2007-2008 escape/mariner. *rm
AS-21534 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2010
Ford/mercury: new service kit available for accelerator cable to pedal connection. Some vehicles may require the accelerator cable to accelerator pedal connection repaired. A new service clip has been released for use…
TSB-09-21-9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2010
2005-08 escape/escape hybrid/mariner - 2006-08 mariner hybrid - wheel speed sensor ring replacement procedure update to workshop manual. *nj
20213 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2008
Slow fuel fill and/or dtc p0451. *nj
08-5-5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2008
Multiple vehicle lines - intermittent pcm, fuel pump, ign. Coil, a/c, abs or fog lamp operation. *nj
20144 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2008
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2007 Ford Escape has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2007 Ford Escape?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 74,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.