Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2023 Ford Escape — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2026 to Dec 2024
The most reported issue is electrical system problems (14 complaints). 1 complaint involved crashes. 3 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (11)
NHTSA Campaign: 22V859000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V380000
Component: ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If a connecting rod bearing failure is detected, dealers will replace the engine long-block. All inspections and repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S27. This recall expands and replaces recall number 22V-484. Vehicles previously repaired under 22V-484 will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicles previously repaired under 22V-484 will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA Campaign: 23V506000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Escape, Super Duty F-250, Super Duty F-350, Super Duty F-450, and Super Duty F-550 vehicles equipped with a digital instrument panel cluster. The module may have been improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C25.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V440000
Component: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Escape two-wheel drive vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Risk: Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S39.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V634000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S54.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V852000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V954000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S79.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V315000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V343000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
Risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 11, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. The parts are anticipated to be available April 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V345000
Component: ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V372000
Component: ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Risk: An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 81)
Engine,fuel/propulsion System →3 issues
Your 2023 Ford Escape suddenly loses power and stops responding to the accelerator when accelerating or entering traffic, sometimes dropping RPMs and not moving for several seconds before jerking forward—creating a dangerous situation in busy intersections. The dealership has replaced fuel system components and performed major engine repairs including cylinder head and cooling system work, but the problem keeps happening even though they can't reproduce it during service visits. This unpredictable power loss puts you at serious risk of being hit by other vehicles. A proper diagnostic scan and potential engine control module or fuel system reprogramming may be needed to identify and fix the underlying cause.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your vehicle's coolant drained completely, causing the engine to overheat and produce smoke from under the hood. This happened without any warning signs before the problem became severe. The issue may require inspection of the cooling system to identify why the coolant leaked out.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your 2023 Ford Escape hesitates and feels like it might stall when you accelerate from a stop, and it has happened multiple times. After idling for 10 minutes, the transmission shifts hard enough to jolt you forward in your seat. This hesitation has created a safety concern on the highway, where it took 10-15 seconds to reach speed during a turn. The issue may involve fuel delivery, engine timing, or transmission shift calibration and should be diagnosed at a dealership.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Engine →3 issues
Your car has stalled unexpectedly several times over the past couple of months when you try to accelerate, causing the engine to suddenly shut off without warning. This sudden loss of power has created dangerous driving situations that nearly resulted in an accident. A mechanic should diagnose the engine control system, fuel delivery, and ignition components to identify and fix the stalling condition.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your engine shut off unexpectedly and then immediately restarted on its own. This sudden shutdown and restart happened without any warning or apparent cause.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your check engine light is on due to misfires in cylinder 1 caused by a leaking exhaust valve in the cylinder head. You may experience sudden jerking, hesitation, loss of acceleration when merging, unpredictable throttle response, and loss of power. A Ford dealership confirmed the cylinder head needs to be replaced to fix the issue.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Electrical System →3 issues
Your 2023 Ford Escape experienced multiple serious electrical issues: the infotainment screen went black while the radio continued playing, the trunk opened unexpectedly while driving (requiring you to pull over three times), and you noticed intermittent burning odors with no visible source. Most critically, while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied at home, the rear window suddenly shattered and the car caught fire, which the fire department extinguished. The vehicle was determined to be a total loss, and a police report was filed. Addressing this will require a comprehensive electrical system inspection and likely replacement of the entire vehicle due to fire damage.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your 2023 Ford Escape PHEV has been limited to 80% battery charging for nearly three years due to multiple battery recalls, and you're concerned that a software-only fix may not adequately address the underlying safety issue. You've complied with all recall requirements at your own expense, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency and increased gas usage. You want assurance that any future fix will safely allow 100% charging and truly resolve the battery safety concern, particularly given your concern about passenger safety with the battery located beneath seating areas.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your 2023 Ford Escape is subject to a safety recall (Campaign 25V789000) affecting the electrical system, but Ford hasn't been able to complete the repair because the required part is currently unavailable. You haven't experienced any actual failure yet, but the recall has been pending longer than what seems reasonable. The manufacturer is aware of the delay.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Power Train →2 issues
Your transmission stopped working at 70,000 miles with little warning. You first noticed jerking, and within a few feet it lost all pulling power with no slipping beforehand. A transmission shop found that the main bearing failed, which they attributed to the bearing being made of substandard metal. Fixing this will likely require a complete transmission rebuild or replacement.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your car hesitates and delays when you press the gas pedal, especially after sitting idle for more than five minutes. This has happened multiple times while stopped, creating a safety risk since other drivers have nearly hit you from behind. The dealer was unable to reproduce the problem during testing, so the underlying cause remains unclear. The issue may involve fuel delivery, transmission response, or engine control software that may need diagnostics or reprogramming.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Unknown Or Other →2 issues
While driving on a flat highway, you heard a loud explosion-like sound and glass fell inside your car. When you checked your roof, you discovered the sunroof glass had shattered into pieces. The sunroof glass panel will likely need to be replaced entirely.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your rearview camera display has become dark or difficult to see. This makes it harder to see behind your vehicle when backing up. The camera itself or the display screen may need to be inspected and potentially replaced.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Electrical System,exterior Lighting,vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
Your vehicle has experienced multiple electrical issues, most critically complete loss of interior and headlights while driving at night, making it dangerous to continue. You're also experiencing problems with the rear hatch button working intermittently, a frozen or freezing infotainment screen that produces loud noises, cruise control failures, and safety features disabling unexpectedly. The dealership performed a factory reset, but the problems have persisted. These issues likely require electrical system diagnostics and possible software updates or component replacement to restore proper function.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,engine →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Escape's 8F35 transmission completely failed at 111,114 miles, just 5 months after you purchased it. The dealership couldn't help, so you had it towed to a local transmission shop, but the repair has stalled due to parts availability issues related to an ongoing lawsuit. You've spent over $6,000 and been without your car for 2-3 months, and you weren't informed about any known transmission problems when you bought the car or contacted about any recalls. The fix will require replacing or remanufacturing the transmission, but parts are currently unavailable.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Power Train,engine,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your 2023 Escape has experienced multiple severe powertrain issues since purchase, including the engine shutting off in reverse, acceleration problems, and metal debris found inside the engine requiring replacement. After the engine replacement, you've dealt with exhaust fumes entering the cabin, hard shifting, and poor acceleration during normal driving and stops—issues that have persisted through several repair attempts including turbo and catalytic converter work. The dealership has been unable to fully resolve the acceleration problem and has told you the next available service appointment isn't until February 2026. This will likely require a complete diagnostic of the transmission, fuel system, and engine controls to identify and fix the ongoing acceleration and drivability issues.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Service Brakes →1 issue
Your brake pedal is positioned too high, which caused your right foot to become stuck between the accelerator and brake pedal during a low-speed crash. You were unable to stop in time because of this pedal positioning issue. This may require adjusting the brake pedal height or investigating the pedal assembly design.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Power Train,electrical System →1 issue
Your 2023 Ford Escape has been recalled twice for a potential fire hazard in the high-voltage battery, but Ford has not provided a fix for either recall. Your vehicle's electric range has dropped significantly from 38-40 miles to around 20 miles, making it unusable for its intended purpose as a hybrid. You've requested that Ford replace the battery pack or buy back the vehicle, but they've refused and won't provide a loaner car while the issue remains unresolved. Resolving this issue will likely require Ford to either provide an approved battery pack replacement or implement the safety fix outlined in the recall.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Electrical System,vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
Your instrument cluster (dashboard display) is shutting off while you're driving, which is a safety concern since you lose visibility of your speed and other important information. The dealership has attempted repairs but hasn't been able to resolve the issue. This problem likely involves diagnosing and repairing the electrical connections or control module that powers your dashboard display.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Structure →1 issue
Your car's left rear liftgate hinge cover came off during the car wash drying cycle. You mention this same issue happened on your 2020 Escape, which was covered under a recall, but your 2023 Escape hasn't been recalled for this problem. The hinge cover may need to be reattached or replaced with a more secure fastening method.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Get notified when any of these become free repairs
We'll alert you if a new recall is issued for your vehicle — that means a free fix at the dealer.
Related Vehicles
Other Ford Escape years: