Is the Ford Escape more reliable than the Nissan Murano?

Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Murano?

The Ford Escape has more recalls (86) compared to the Nissan Murano (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Murano?

The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 4296 for the Ford Escape. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Murano?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Murano is cheaper to maintain at $507/year versus $600/year for the Ford Escape.

Is the Ford Escape or Nissan Murano safer?

Both the Ford Escape and Nissan Murano received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano: Reliability Compared

Ford Escape

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Murano

Good

Choosing between the Ford Escape and the Nissan Murano? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Murano currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Escape and Nissan Murano Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Ford Escape is in its fourth generation, which launched in 2020, with a facelift occurring in 2023. This places it in the latter part of its generation cycle, where reliability tends to be more established as any early issues are typically resolved. In contrast, the Nissan Murano recently entered its fourth generation in 2025, making it relatively new in its lifecycle. This can sometimes mean potential first-year reliability issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. The Escape's mature platform may offer more predictability, while the Murano's new generation could experience typical early-release challenges.

Verdict

The Nissan Murano is more reliable than the Ford Escape, scoring 79/100 vs 68/100.

The Nissan Murano demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 79/100 compared to the Ford Escape's 66/100. The Murano's significantly lower recall count of 5 over eight years and a lower estimated annual repair cost of $507 highlight its dependability. In contrast, the Ford Escape has faced 86 recalls and a higher complaint rate of 9.6 per 10,000 units sold. While both vehicles share some common issues, the Murano's overall reliability profile makes it the more dependable choice in the compact SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Nissan Murano costs $93 less per year to repair
2Nissan Murano has 81 fewer total recalls
3Nissan Murano scores 11 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Escape

—

3Nissan Murano

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Escape	Nissan Murano
Reliability Score	68/100	79/100
Years Tracked	8	8
Total Recalls	86	5
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	4296	134
Annual Repair Cost	$600/yr	$507/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	11%	14%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0 (1 tied)	6 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Escape and Nissan Murano?

The Ford Escape exhibits a significantly higher number of complaints compared to the Nissan Murano, with 4,296 total complaints against the Murano's 134. Notably, the Escape's engine issues dominate its problem profile with 1,152 complaints, including 3 crash-linked, while the Murano has no engine-related complaints. The Ford Escape also experiences a higher incidence of crash-linked issues, especially in the power train category with 14 incidents, compared to the Murano's single crash-linked power train complaint. Both models have some complaints related to the electrical system, but the Escape's broader problem spectrum, particularly in critical areas like the power train and structure, suggests a more complex reliability challenge.

Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Escape	Nissan Murano
ENGINE	1152	—
STRUCTURE	693	—
POWER TRAIN	607	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	394	—
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	368	24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	307	8
FUEL SYSTEM	162	—
SERVICE BRAKES	89	9
STEERING	70	4
AIR BAGS	33	5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	33	4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	15	21
BACK OVER PREVENTION	4	—
LANE DEPARTURE	2	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—	4
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—	4
SEATS	2	—
SEAT BELTS	—	2
SUSPENSION	—	2
EQUIPMENT	—	2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Escape or Nissan Murano?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Ford Escape has an annual repair cost of $600, while the Nissan Murano costs $507 annually, translating to a $93 difference per year or $465 over five years. However, the Murano requires more frequent visits at 0.5 times per year compared to the Escape's 0.3 visits. Additionally, the Murano carries a higher major repair risk at 14% compared to the Escape's 11%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Escape offers better value due to its lower repair frequency and reduced risk of major repairs, despite the slightly higher annual repair cost.

How Does Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Escape	Nissan Murano	Edge
2026	77/1001R / 2C	82/1000R / 1C	Nissan Murano
2025	74/10010R / 16C	74/1002R / 14C	Tie
2023	72/10013R / 107C	82/1000R / 6C	Nissan Murano
2022	62/10020R / 325C	82/1000R / 5C	Nissan Murano
2020	52/10025R / 1667C	74/1002R / 41C	Nissan Murano
2019	69/1003R / 506C	77/1001R / 39C	Nissan Murano
2018	60/1004R / 1597C	82/1000R / 14C	Nissan Murano

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Ford Escape scored 77/100 and the 2026 Nissan Murano scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Escape vs the Nissan Murano?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer potential headaches, the Nissan Murano is a strong choice. With a reliability score of 79 out of 100, it's less prone to issues compared to the Ford Escape, which scores 66. The Murano also boasts significantly fewer recalls (5 compared to the Escape's 86) and has a lower estimated annual repair cost of $507 versus $600 for the Escape. Although the Murano has a slightly higher major repair risk at 14%, its overall reliability profile and fewer owner complaints make it appealing for those looking for peace of mind. For those who prefer a vehicle with less frequent repairs, the Ford Escape might be worth considering. It has a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, compared to the Murano's 0.5. However, be mindful of its higher number of owner complaints and potential issues with the engine and power train. If you're willing to manage these concerns, the Escape could still be a viable option.

Ford Escape vs Nissan Murano: Common Questions

Is the Ford Escape more reliable than the Nissan Murano?: Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Murano?: The Ford Escape has more recalls (86) compared to the Nissan Murano (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Murano?: The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 4296 for the Ford Escape. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Murano?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Murano is cheaper to maintain at $507/year versus $600/year for the Ford Escape.
Is the Ford Escape or Nissan Murano safer?: Both the Ford Escape and Nissan Murano received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Ford Escape comparisons

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More Nissan Murano comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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