'26 Escape Can't Be Sold in 6 States

[kam327]

How is it the '26 Escape won't meet emissions standards in 6 states but the mechanically identical Bronco Sport can? Is something being done to the Bronco Sport to reduce its emissions that's too expensive to do on the Escape whose future has been in doubt anyway? Seems like a mistake for Ford to abandon the FWD and hybrid markets, neither of which the Bronco Sport is available in.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/06/2026-ford-escape-wont-be-sold-in-six-u-s-states/

 

[97prizm]

Automotive manufacturers usually get epa certification for X number of years for a platform unless they modify it. It does seem a little odd that it can't be sold in six states. It's more political than anything. From reading a vehicle built in the last four years ago are 40 times less polluting than something built in the 80s. Unfortunately Colorado is one of those states.

 

[97prizm]

I've always wondered if you did buy a 2026 Escape and tried to register it in a California emissions state if they'd let you do it or if it would get flagged.

 

[We're Metals]

Fords laziness demonstrated here. Isnt the Maverick using an exhaust scrubber in 2026?

 

[mrsilv04]

They're going to build and sell a 2026 model, but apparently, not put a whole lot of effort into doing it.

The Escape actually outsold the Bronco Sport in Q1 2025... 37,357 to 33,363. Oooops.

 

[Zee09]

I'm illegal in 6 states myself....

 

[Chris142]

I've always wondered if you did buy a 2026 Escape and tried to register it in a California emissions state if they'd let you do it or if it would get flagged.

If I am correct and I might not be.

If a person from another state moves to ca they are allowed to register their car with 49 state emissions in California.

So I believe that you can't buy a new one and register it in California but if you buy a used one with more than 7500 miles on it you can.

That's what the DMV book says.

 

[oil pan 4]

Six states? That's ratarded.
Seems like California is the only one that needs their own emissions standards since they usually have about 7 or 8 of the top 10 spots for US cities with the worst air pollution and usually run uncontested, only against themselves for about the top 5 spots.

 

[MNgopher]

This is the end of the line for the Escape, and Ford was never going to invest in another revision to accomodate the specific new emissions requirements...

Simply maximizing the investment by making and selling as many as possible before production ends...

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

If I am correct and I might not be.

If a person from another state moves to ca they are allowed to register their car with 49 state emissions in California.

So I believe that you can't buy a new one and register it in California but if you buy a used one with more than 7500 miles on it you can.

That's what the DMV book says.

I believe that is correct because I've heard of people doing it with motorcycles.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I'm illegal in 6 states myself....

Is ICE still chasing you and @AutoMechanic? All they have to do is search every AutoZone and then they'll send you down Rio Grande in an old tire tube.

 

[Trav]

Given the six states it is no surprise at all.

 

[Brons2]

But there's more than 6 other states that follow CA emissions, is there not? I thought it was over 10.

 

[Opelman]

If I am correct and I might not be.

If a person from another state moves to ca they are allowed to register their car with 49 state emissions in California.

So I believe that you can't buy a new one and register it in California but if you buy a used one with more than 7500 miles on it you can.

That's what the DMV book says.

This. The Jeep diesels weren't allowed new in CA. either. Attempting to register a new one purchased out of state would result in that VIN being blacklisted and not ever being able to be registered in the state. Used over x whatever miles, no problem.

 

[dogememe]

It’s really sad what the Escape has become. I had a 2008 for a short time and a 2010 for quite a well and they were VERY good vehicles. I would take an Escape over a RAV4 or CR-V of those generations for sure.

Then the 3rd gen Escape was apparently kinda unreliable overall. By the time the 4th gen came around I feel like they kinda gave up on it. And people that had bad experiences with the 3rd gen moved to competing products.

Now, it’s funny, the Bronco Sport is what the Escape should have been IMO. If you put a 2nd gen (2008-2012) Escape next to a Bronco Sport the Bronco Sport just looks like a much newer Escape haha. They should have kept the 2nd gen with some updates and then either discontinued it in 2021 when the Bronco Sport came out or made the Bronco Sport but called it the Escape.

Or made the 4th gen Escape only available in hybrid or PHEV versions. It seems like neither the 1.6 or 2.0 were particularly competitive in terms of MPG and not very reliable?

 

[fdcg27]

So Ford is dropping the Escape?
Surprise to me since these things seem as common as quills on a hedgehog.
Why dump a reasonably priced CUV and lose more retail buyers in the process?

 

[ammolab]

I'm illegal in 6 states myself....

You wish it were ONLY six states!

 

[pbm]

So Ford is dropping the Escape?
Surprise to me since these things seem as common as quills on a hedgehog.
Why dump a reasonably priced CUV and lose more retail buyers in the process?

Our 2016 Escape with the 2.5 engine has been extremely reliable. I purposely bought one with the 2.5 over the Ecoboosts and I'm glad I did. As far as why they would dump a reasonably priced vehicle....it seems to be a 'management move' with the domestic makers. GM dropped the Chevy Cruze just when all the gremlins were worked out. Ford dropped the popular Fusion rather than updating it.

 

[tvaughn]

Years ago, my parents wanted a 2004 Jetta TDI wagon, and that year they couldn't sell it new in CA, so we just bought a 2004 model in Oregon with 7k miles- once over 7,500 miles, it could be registered as a used vehicle in CA.

 

[Nessism1]

What happened to the EPA canceling the CA emission waver?

Edit: apparently this situation hasn't played out yet. No doubt, it will wind up in court.