Where are Ford Escape manufactured?
Primarily, the Ford Escape is assembled in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, with European models built in Valencia, Spain, and Chinese-market Escapes produced locally in China through a Changan Ford joint venture.
Ford’s multi-country production approach reflects its global market strategy: the Escape nameplate is used in North America, Europe, and China, with specific manufacturing sites aligned to regional demand and regulatory requirements. While the Louisville plant handles most North American production, Europe uses the Valencia plant for the Kuga, and China relies on local facilities under joint venture agreements.
Global production footprint
Below are the primary production sites by market for the Ford Escape/Kuga lineup:
- United States — Louisville Assembly Plant, Louisville, Kentucky (North American market)
- Europe — Valencia Assembly Plant, Valencia, Spain (Ford Kuga for the European market)
- China — Local production through the Changan Ford joint venture (China-market Escape)
This multi-site footprint allows Ford to tailor its supply chain to regional demand, regulatory standards, and market-specific configurations.
Summary
Ford Escape manufacturing is distributed across three primary regions: Louisville, Kentucky (USA); Valencia, Spain (Europe) for the Kuga variant; and China through local joint venture facilities for the Chinese market. The exact plant assignments can shift over time with product updates and market strategy.
Where are Ford Escapes assembled?
Ford Escapes are assembled at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. This plant has been the primary location for producing the Escape for many years and also builds the Lincoln Corsair.
- Plant Location: Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
- Other Vehicles: The plant also assembles the Lincoln Corsair.
- Future: Ford is retooling the Louisville plant to produce a new electric pickup truck, which will conclude production of the Escape and Corsair by the end of 2025.
Why is Ford discontinuing the Escape?
Ford is discontinuing the Escape primarily to pivot to electric vehicles (EVs) and retool its Louisville, KY, plant to produce a new $30,000 EV truck. Other contributing factors include declining sales and overlap with the Bronco Sport, which has taken a significant portion of the market share for a similar-sized vehicle.
- Shift to electric vehicles: Ford is reallocating resources from gasoline-powered models to develop its EV lineup, as demand for them grows.
- Plant retooling: The plant in Louisville, where the Escape is made, is being retooled to manufacture new electric vehicles, including an upcoming mid-size EV truck.
- Declining sales: The Escape has faced decreasing sales and is losing ground to competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
- Overlap with Bronco Sport: The Bronco Sport occupies a similar market space to the Escape, creating internal competition that has reduced the Escape's unique selling proposition. Ford appears to be focusing on niche, more distinct models like the Bronco Sport over more commodified segments.
Are Ford Escapes made in the USA?
American Ford Manufacturing Plants
Wayne, MI (Bronco, Ranger) Louisville, KY (Escape, Expedition, Expedition MAX, Super Duty®) Kansas City, KS (F-150, Transit®, E-Transit™)
Which Ford escapes to stay away from?
You should avoid Ford Escapes from the 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2016 model years due to significant problems with transmissions, power steering, and electrical systems. Other model years to approach with caution include 2017 for brake and engine issues, 2009 for engine and handling problems, and the 2021-2024 models for potential electrical, fuel system, and other widespread recalls.
Model years to avoid
- 2008: This model year had more complaints than any other in its generation, with major issues related to its transmission, power steering, and engine.
- 2009: Continued many of the problems from the previous year, including engine and handling complaints.
- 2013: Had 16 recalls from the NHTSA, including problems with its electronic systems, and significant mechanical issues like leaks and faulty catalytic converters.
- 2014: Suffered from severe transmission problems, from minor issues to complete shutdowns. It also had power steering failures, recalls, and other mechanical problems.
- 2016: Faced a recurrence of the transmission issues from the 2014 model, along with power steering failures and noisy, hard-to-press brakes.
- 2017: Continued to have the loud brake issues from the previous year and added engine problems where the engine would stumble or stutter.
Other years to be cautious about
- 2015-2019: While not as problematic as the years above, these models were part of the same generation with a high number of complaints. The EcoBoost engines in some of these years had head gasket issues.
- 2021-2024: These newer models have had a high number of recalls, including issues with the fuel system, electrical system, and doors. Some 2024 models were also predicted to be less reliable than average.
Recommendations
- For the most reliable models, look for the 2016 Ford Escape or the newer 2020-2022 models, though the newer models may have higher price tags.
- If buying a used Escape, get a professional inspection before purchasing, and check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if it falls under any recalls.
