Used car safety, rank #40 of 188
Ford Escape hybrid 4WD Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Ford Escape hybrid 4WD, a small SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition Β· 2021β2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits Β· Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Ford Escape hybrid 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 6 per million registered vehicle years against a small SUVs average of 38, which is 84% below the class average. That places it #40 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 75.7/100.
What the Ford Escape hybrid death rate means
At 6 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD beats the small SUVs average of 38 by 84%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 17, so even the pessimistic end of the range is no worse than the class average.
The other-driver death rate of 35 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Ford Escape hybrid. Its 95% confidence interval is 3β68. It is higher than the Ford Escape hybrid's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used SUVs
The safest small SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD highlighted. It ranks 2 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid 4WD at a death rate of 5.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid 4WD | 2021-23 | 5 (0 to 15) | 76.9 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Escape hybrid 4WD (this page) | 2020-23 | 6 (0 to 17) | 75.7 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Tucson hybrid 4WD | 2022-23 | 7 (0 to 22) | 74.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota RAV4 hybrid 4WD | 2020-23 | 15 (7 to 23) | 63.8 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD | 2020-23 | 17 (4 to 29) | 60.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mazda CX-5 4WD | 2020-23 | 17 (8 to 27) | 60.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Tucson 4WD | 2022-23 | 20 (2 to 38) | 57.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hyundai Tucson 2WD | 2022-23 | 21 (0 to 45) | 56.3 | n/a | n/a |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer 4WD | 2021-23 | 25 (6 to 45) | 48.4 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for small SUVs: 38 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
International crash test results
Sold as Ford Kuga in Europe. Same platform and body structure as the US Escape.
Euro NCAP (2019)
International test results are for the same-generation model sold in those markets. Body structures are typically identical across regions. Euro NCAP vs IIHS explained.
Safety recalls for the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
13 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering electrical system, engine, back over prevention, equipment, fuel system, gasoline, forward collision avoidance.
-
Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery
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: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed.
-
Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery
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: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed.
-
Engine
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.
-
Electrical system
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.
-
Engine
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.
-
Back over prevention: software
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 available on each phase.
-
Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery, management system/energy control module (bms/becm)
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.
-
Equipment: other, labels
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.
-
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system, injectors
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.
-
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control
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 the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module, free of charge.
-
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary, free of charge.
-
Engine
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If a connecting rod bearing failure is detected, dealers will replace the engine long-block. All inspections and repairs will be performed free of charge.
-
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Risk: A fuel 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 update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim
Partial lookup: At least one NHTSA model-variant request failed. The campaigns shown were returned successfully; additional campaigns may be missing. Check your VIN.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Ford Escape hybrid 4WD: Common Questions
Is the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 6 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Ford Escape hybrid 4WD, 84% below the class average (38 for small SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 75.7 out of 100 and rank #40 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD driver death rate?
6 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 17. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Ford Escape hybrid died at a rate of 35 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD compare with other small SUVs?
The small SUVs class averages 38 driver deaths per million; the Ford Escape hybrid 4WD sits at 6. Among the 9 small SUVs compared above it ranks 2 by safety score; the top of that group is the Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-in hybrid 4WD with a death rate of 5.