Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2016 vs 2017 FORD ESCAPE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 119 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 220.8% more reports in the equal exposure window

2016 827 complaints 2017 2,653 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2016 share 2017 share Share change
ENGINE 16.9% 64.4% ▲ 47.5 pts larger share
BACK OVER PREVENTION 15.9% 0.2% ▼ 15.7 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 26.0% 12.4% ▼ 13.7 pts smaller share
STEERING 6.2% 1.6% ▼ 4.7 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 5.3% 2.3% ▼ 2.9 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.3% 1.0% ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4.3% 3.0% ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 1.8% 0.6% ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 1.4% 0.4% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.5% 1.4% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 0.2% 0.5% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 0.5% 0.3% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 1.8% 1.9% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
WHEELS 2.8% 2.7% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 1.2% 1.3% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 0.1% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 0.1% 0.0% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
LANE DEPARTURE 0.1% 0.1% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21.6% 11.5% ▼ 10.1 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2016 4

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION, EQUIPMENT, and POWER TRAIN

2017 4

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN, and VISIBILITY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
10 → 15
◆ Injuries
19 → 56