Consumer Reports Says This Popular SUV Is One Of The Least Reliable Cars

The SUV class is among the most popular vehicle types in the nation, but that doesn't mean every SUV is reliable or worth buying. Consumer Reports (CR) collects data on just about everything to provide consumers with the details they need to make informed decisions before buying products, including vehicles. And according to a recent CR video, one popular SUV that's actually one of the least reliable new cars on the market is the Ford Escape Hybrid. The 2025 model year scored a mere 21 out of 100 on CR's predicted reliability scale — a rating largely based on the performance of 2022 and 2023 model years.

The Escape Hybrid only beat out four other cars by CR's metrics, and it's apparently liable for a whole slew of issues with electrical accessories and in-car electronics. The hybrid battery often needs replacement, which is usually a much pricier repair than replacing the battery on cars with more traditional engines. Loud noises and leaks in the engine bay can be problematic as well, which seriously detract from the enjoyment of driving and owning an eco-friendly SUV model. CR also cited that the braking on the Escape Hybrid was somewhat subpar, which certainly isn't the most comforting thing to hear about a prospective vehicle purchase. There are a couple of cheap hybrid cars you can buy in 2025, but the Escape Hybrid is a model you may want to skip.

It's important to note that the Ford Escape Hybrid's reliability rating varies depending on the model year, and the worst years for the SUV are from 2020 to 2023. During this time, Ford manufactured many Escape Hybrids with a defect in the engine that can cause premature failure and result in a fire. There was eventually a recall issued by Ford to resolve the problem, and a class-action lawsuit was ultimately filed claiming the company knew about the problem with its hybrid engines and failed to take sufficient action to protect consumers. The high-voltage lithium-ion battery in Ford's hybrid is also prone to catching fire and exploding, a problem that is also common with the Ford-owned Lincoln Corsair Hybrid.

The Escape's issues are, unfortunately, common for earlier 2000s models as well. This hybrid Ford SUV received more than 2,000 complaints for both 2008 and 2010 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Along with getting complaints about the Escape Hybrid's electrical and braking systems, early Escape Hybrid SUVs also suffered from steering system problems which could cause the vehicle's steering wheel to lock up or make the SUV difficult to maneuver. While Ford may not be on CR's list of least favorite car brands, the brand's Escape Hybrid is definitely not scoring well with the popular rating company.