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2007 Ford Escape Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Ford Escape has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS warning light preceding loss of braking.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Ford Escape.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS warning light preceding loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES

41 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2022-09

“ABS service system warning came up on my dash along with the brake light and the abs light, immediately after the lights came on the ability to stop and stay stopped vanished”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11471084
“ABS service light comes on intermittently, when light is on a "service brake system" warning comes across the guage cluster. While this service light is on the escape has little to no braking and requires upwards of 300ft to stop when going 45mph”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11467587
“PURCHASED THIS PRE-OWNED WITH ONLY 40K MILES. IT'S NOW ONLY AT 45K MILES AND RANDOMLY THE ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKES NOTIFICATION CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND HAD THEM SCAN AND IT SEEMS TO BE ABS RELATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11407415

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Subframe and underbody corrosion

STRUCTURE

23 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2024-08

“Rear frame rails rotting thru from the inside out, causing potential suspension issues”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11610361
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11558831
“THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK TO BODY AREA IS 85% RUSTED OUT AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOZENS OF USED CAR LOTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A WELL KNOWN & DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11377747

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist loss

STEERING

16 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2023-05

“TWO YEARS AGO OUR ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO FAULTY SENSORS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FRONTIER FORD IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY CHARGED ME $1200 TO GET IT FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11255357
“WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET , WITH CARS COMING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS NEARLY GOT HIT .... HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF STREET..... POWER STEERING MODULE WENT BAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11152995
“POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWED MANY PEOPLE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MODULE AT NEAR $1000. THEY DID RECALL THIS SAME MODULE ON THE 2008 FOR SAFETY PURPOSES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10940137

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hybrid propulsion shutdown with Stop Safely Now warning

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

18 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2024-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629431
“SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE, VERY DANGEROUS 'STOP SAFELY NOW' IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, MANAGED TO PULL THROUGH IT ALL AND NOT DIE. IT WAS COLD AND RAINY OUTSIDE WHILE WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK ON A NARROW ROADSIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209130
“ON 7/10/18, WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED/LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. TWO MONTHS EARLIER IN MAY 2018, THE CAR ISSUED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING WHILE MOVING AT 65MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11110840

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and torque converter failure

POWER TRAIN

21 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2023-05

“The torque converter was failing in my 07 escape. When I switched gears from park to drive or reverse the car would shake and sometimes stall out. Or if I had to stop at a stop sign or traffic signal while in drive the same issues would happen”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11505703
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED TO LOSE MOTIVE POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11203068
“2007 FORD ESCAPE - AT 42,644 MILES THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND NOT PICK UP SPEED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE REGULATOR VALVE..... AT 47,819 MILES THE CAR DID THE SAME THING , THIS TIME THE OD LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11156893

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

162 crashes 1990–2024

How the 162 occupant deaths break down

118

driver deaths

44

passenger deaths

162

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

16

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Ford Escape reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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