Who builds the Ford Escape?

The Ford Escape is built by Ford Motor Company, the American automaker. In the North American market, production is centered at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, with additional production in regional facilities to support global markets.

What this means for production

To understand how Ford distributes the Escape across the globe, here is a closer look at where and how the model is assembled for different regions, and how that has evolved with new technology and trim levels.

Global manufacturing footprint

Ford operates a worldwide manufacturing network that has historically included the Louisville, Kentucky, plant for North American Escape production, with other regional facilities contributing to regional supply and capacity for various generations and markets. The European version of the Escape is marketed as the Ford Kuga, which is produced in regional plants to serve Europe and nearby markets.

• Louisville Assembly Plant, Louisville, Kentucky, USA – primary site for North American Escape production.


• Mexico-based facilities – contribute to regional supply and production for Latin American and North American markets on certain generations and configurations.


• European and other regional plants – assemble the Ford Kuga (Escape) for Europe and related markets, depending on model year and generation.

Note: Exact plant assignments can shift by model year, trim level, and electrification options (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid). Ford adjusts its manufacturing plan to align with demand and supply chains.

Model generations and regional shifts

Over its history, the Escape’s manufacturing footprint has evolved with new platforms and powertrain options. Generational changes and electrification strategies have influenced which plants build which variants for specific markets.

Electrification and platform changes

In recent years, electrified variants (hybrids and plug-in hybrids) have influenced production, with some models built to meet regional powertrain preferences and regulatory requirements. This means certain trims or versions may be assembled in different facilities than earlier generations.

Branding and market naming are also regional: in Europe and certain other regions, the same vehicle is sold as the Ford Kuga, reflecting regional branding rather than a separate manufacturer.

Summary: The Ford Escape is built by Ford Motor Company, with Louisville, Kentucky serving as the primary North American production site and additional regional facilities worldwide adapting to model year, powertrain, and market demand. The product’s global footprint supports both the Escape (North America) and the Kuga (Europe) through shared platforms and regional manufacturing plans.

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. 

What is the most common problem with a Ford Escape?

The biggest problems with the Ford Escape are transmission failures and engine issues, particularly in specific model years like 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2020–2022. Other common complaints include ignition misfires and, in some hybrid models, fire risks from lithium-ion batteries. 
This video explains some common issues with the Ford Escape, including transmission and engine problems: 59sThe SUV GuyYouTube · Jan 31, 2025
Transmission issues

• Widespread problem: Transmission issues are frequently cited as the most significant weakness across multiple model years.
• Symptoms: Drivers report issues like harsh, jerky shifts, and complete failure.
• Timing: For some newer models, critical failures can occur around or after the warranty expires, with replacement costs averaging around $4,000.
• Affected models: Some particularly troublesome years include 2008, 2014, and 2016, but other years are also affected. 

Engine problems

• Ignition misfires: A very common problem reported by owners, often affecting models from 2001 through 2013. 
• Engine failure: Some model years have been associated with more severe engine issues. 
• Other issues: Some models have experienced oil leaks and other engine-related problems. 

This video discusses common engine problems in the Ford Escape: 58sCarnivautoYouTube · Feb 10, 2025
Hybrid-specific issues

• Fire risk: A class-action lawsuit alleges that lithium-ion batteries in some hybrid and plug-in hybrid models have a risk of suddenly catching fire. 
• Coolant pump failure: Hybrid models may experience coolant pump failure, which can cause the check engine light to come on and lead to engine shutdown. 

Why are Ford Escapes so cheap?

Ford Escapes can be cheap due to several factors, most notably poor reliability ratings for certain model years, which have a significant impact on resale value. Other contributing factors include the vehicle's general market positioning as an affordable SUV and a high supply of used models on the market. 
Reliability and repair costs

• Transmission and engine problems: Specific model years are notorious for major issues with the transmission and engine, leading to costly repairs. 
• Lower reliability ratings: The Escape's lower reliability scores compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 negatively affect its long-term value. 
• Costly repairs: Repair costs for common issues can be high, often ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 for major problems like transmission replacement. 

Market and supply

• High availability: A large number of used Escapes are available, creating downward pressure on prices. 
• Market positioning: The Escape has historically been positioned as a more budget-friendly option in the compact SUV class. 
• Shifting demand: As new models are released, demand for older models decreases, further impacting their price. 
• Discontinuation rumors: While not officially discontinued, rumors of its eventual replacement and Ford's move away from some vehicle types can also contribute to lower prices. 

Model years to be cautious of

• Specific years to avoid: Some of the most problematic years to avoid include 2008, 2014, and 2019, due to a high number of reported issues. 
• Higher price for newer models: While older models are cheap, newer generations (like the fourth generation from 2020 onward) have higher resale values. 

Are Ford Escapes made by Mazda?

The first generation of Ford Escape was released in 2000 for the 2001 model year. It was jointly developed with Mazda, in which Ford owned a controlling interest, and was released simultaneously with the Mazda Tribute.