2019 Ford Escape vs 2019 Subaru Forester
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2019 Ford
Escape
5/10
Drives nicer than a RAV4, but the 1.5/2.0 EcoBoost coolant-intrusion issue turns some of these into $10k paperweights at 40k miles.
VS
2019 Subaru
Forester
7/10
Buy it for the visibility, ground clearance, and boxer-engine charm — just budget for a windshield and keep an eye on the CVT and battery.
Milo scores the 2019 Subaru Forester higher — 7/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Ford Escape |
Subaru Forester |
| Known failure points | 5 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 572 | 831 |
| Safety recalls | 3 | 3 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 48 | 72 |
| Cheap to own | 45 | 68 |
| Fun factor | 58 | 45 |
| Holds value | 42 | 78 |
| Enthusiast cred | 22 | 35 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2019 Ford Escape
1.5L/2.0L EcoBoost coolant intrusion into cylinders via cracked cylinder head or block casting flaw, leading to head gasket failure or full engine failure
$6,000–$12,00020k–60k mi
2019 Subaru Forester
CVT (TR580/Lineartronic) shudder or harsh engagement, especially in early-production 2019 units before software updates
$0–$4,50030k–70k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2019 Ford Escape
A 2019.5 or 2020-model-year Escape (post running-change) with the 1.5L EcoBoost, SEL or Titanium trim, verified engine-related TSBs already performed, and full documented oil-change history — avoid anything with unexplained coolant top-offs in the CarFax service records.
✅ 2019 Subaru Forester
2019 Forester Touring (or Limited) with the 2.5L FB25, built after mid-2019 production (post CVT TCM software update) — check for the rear stabilizer and PCV recalls already completed.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.