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ProblemsByVin File / 2007-FORD-ESCAPE NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford

2007 Ford Escape problems

The 2007 Ford Escape has 393 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2007 Ford Escape has 393 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 87 complaints, typically surfacing around 77,254 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Ford Escape owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2005 Escape 1,584 5
2006 Escape 720 5
2007 Escape (this page) 393 4
2008 Escape 2,415 5
2009 Escape 1,691 3
2010 Escape 2,127 5
2007 Ford Escape
Photo: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · representative photo of the Ford Escape
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2007 Escape?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2007 Ford Escape? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 82,925 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2007 Ford Escape

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2007-ford-escape/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2007 Ford Escape reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2007-ford-escape/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2007 Ford Escape reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
87 reports · fails ~77,254 mi · avg $450
moderate
powertrain
51 reports · fails ~82,925 mi · avg $2,500
severe
engine
46 reports · fails ~83,363 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
37 reports · fails ~84,554 mi · avg $850
severe
cruise control
31 reports · fails ~82,829 mi · avg $600
moderate
steering
28 reports · fails ~110,602 mi · avg $700
moderate
suspension
18 reports · fails ~96,201 mi · avg $900
moderate
body
12 reports · fails ~128,765 mi · avg $1,500
severe

Your road ahead on this 2007 Ford Escape

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~60,000 mifuel system~$1,200
  2. ~63,000 miairbags~$1,100
  3. ~74,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  4. ~75,200 mibrakes~$450
  5. ~80,750 miengine~$3,100
  6. ~81,645 mivisibility~$350
  7. ~86,000 micruise control~$600
  8. ~89,236 misuspension~$900
  9. ~93,000 mielectrical~$850
  10. ~103,000 misteering~$700

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2007 Escape's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2007 Escape?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2007 Escape · fuel system
My vehicle is a 2007 Ford escape xlt. For the past several months when I try to gas up the vehicle I can only put in a small amount of gasoline. It appears that the gas filler pipe cover (a little flap that is mounted on the inside of the filler pipe) is gone. Because it is…
12/31/2010 · at 32,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10373611.0 · see fuel system pattern →
2007 Escape · powertrain
Vehicle displayed "service emissions system" warning immediately after driving off the lot. After replacement of all emissions parts, vehicle still intermittently displays this warning and occasional "stop safely now" messages causing the engine to shut down. Vehicle also…
12/30/2018 · at 125,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11164099.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2007 Escape · suspension
When I'm driving my vehicle & making left turns it makes a loud noise. To me it sounds like the transmission just fell out. I'm enclosing some documents of recalls that I've found. My truck is also rusting out so bad that when I put my grandson in his car seat, the legs of my…
12/29/2019 · at 140,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291899.0 · see suspension pattern →
2007 Escape · brakes
ABS light came on and 4 wheel drive light flashed off and on. The next day backing out of my driveway the brakes made a very bad grinding noise. *tr
12/29/2014 · at 50,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668895.0 · see brakes pattern →
View all 393 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2007 Ford Escape? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 15V606000 September 29, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009

If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
severe NHTSA 15E045000 June 3, 2015

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
severe NHTSA 14V526000 September 3, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008

If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2007 Ford Escape reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2007 Ford Escape?

The 2007 Ford Escape is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 51 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 55,000–112,000 mi; Electrical system: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 54,670–106,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2007 Ford Escape?

Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 87 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 77,254 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2007 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 393 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 77,254 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2007 Ford Escape?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 87 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 77,254 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 77,254 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2007 Ford Escape?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 393 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Escape. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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