2023 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 99 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 2 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineJun 3, 2025
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 25V372000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineMay 23, 2025
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.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 25V345000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemMay 23, 2025
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.
An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.
Campaign 25V343000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, softwareMay 9, 2025
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.
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 25V315000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, propulsion system, traction battery, management system/energy control module (bms/becm)Dec 20, 2024
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 24V954000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsNov 8, 2024
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 24V852000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection system, injectorsAug 23, 2024
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 24V634000 on NHTSA.gov
Forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise controlJun 14, 2024
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 24V440000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelJul 21, 2023
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."
An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V506000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineMay 26, 2023
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.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V380000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection systemNov 18, 2022
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 22V859000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 25, 2026
While driving, multiple unrelated warning lights and warning messages appeared on the dashboard. Odometer changed to display dashes instead of mileage. Speedometer got stuck displaying an incorrect value (such as '0' when the vehicle was in motion, or '59' when the vehicle was as a complete stop). Warning messages displayed while vehicle was in motion included "Park brake fault Service now", "Pre-Collision Assist not available", "Service AdvanceTrac", "Cross-Traffic System fault", and several more. Ford mobile app connected to the car reported 26 different errors. Safety was at risk due to speedometer displaying incorrect values and safety features going offline. Symptoms would come and go without driver intervention. After turning off the vehicle, vehicle failed to start entirely and had to be towed to the dealer. Dealer found the "whole FD-CAN network will not communicate" and traced the issue to an intermittent open circuit in the Power Steering Control Module. Additional photo + video evidence available upon request.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 2, 2026
Accessory protocol interface module went out screen went dark. No recall on my vin but should be. Problem appeared 12/26/2025 and has been inspected by Peach State Ford.
Air bags, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 19, 2025
Recall Action Soon Issue Since 03-14-2025 Drivers side seat buckle replacement For More Information Telematics Generated Issue Recall Action Soon Issue Since 11-08-2024 Inspect front door check-arm reinforcement spot welds For More Information
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the Adaptive Cruise Control Mode engaged, the vehicle failed to respond as needed after another vehicle pulled in front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and decelerated, and then revved up and accelerated unintendedly until the vehicle was within proximity of the other vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the Lane Keep Assist failed to keep the vehicle within the intended lane while driving, and the vehicle veered to the left unintendedly while the Lane Keep Assist was engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V440000 (Forward Collision Avoidance), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the Adaptive Cruise Control altered the speed after detecting the number on the Minnesota county road sign ending in the number 5. The Adaptive Cruise Control was changed without warning. The vehicle gradually accelerated after the failure. While driving at slow speeds, the speeds spontaneously increased from 30 MPH to 50 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 19,280.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 23, 2025
Summary of Issues: 1. March 2024 – First Incident: •Warning lights appeared on the dashboard while driving (including ABS and power steering). •Vehicle was taken to Camelback Ford. •Dealership diagnosed a software update failure due to low voltage. •Battery was recharged, software updated, and codes cleared. ⸻ 2. April 6, 2024 – Battery Replacement: •Vehicle continued to experience electrical issues. •Battery was replaced by dealership under warranty. ⸻ 3. June 11, 2024 – Second Incident: •Dashboard warning lights returned. •Dealership again cleared codes, no new repair or replacement performed. •Explanation given was “modern cars have more computers” and that these issues were “normal.” ⸻ 4. July 12, 2024 – Third Incident: •While stopped at a red light, the entire dashboard shut off and restarted on its own. •Engine remained on, but the sudden blackout raised serious safety and reliability concerns. •Vehicle was not moved after the incident. •Dealership advised to return only if issue happens again. ⸻ Ongoing Concern: This vehicle has experienced repeated electrical system failures including instrument cluster blackout and communication errors, despite warranty repairs and a new battery. These intermittent issues pose a potential safety risk, especially if they occur while driving. The lack of a consistent fix raises concerns about the vehicle’s electrical integrity and reliability.
Visibility, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's door window would not completely roll up and close. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the front driver's side door window motor, and the vehicle was repaired but failure reoccurred. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the message "Front Collision Camera Inoperable" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but failure code could not be retrieved, and the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 13,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Aug 23, 2024
At any random time, all sensors fail. Blind spot systems, parking sensors, pre-collision assist, front camera fault, cross traffic system, cruise control, lane assist, auto headlights. Returned to the dealership multiple times, with no resolution. All sensors continue to fail, with no immediate fix available, according to Ford, until the fourth quarter. So, I am left with an unrepairable vehicle to drive in the already dangerous central Texas traffic. The problem has been confirmed at Leif Johnson Ford, 501 E. Koenig, Austin, Tx 78751. Main #512-454-3711, Service #512-454-3767, and reported to Ford Care at 800-392-3673
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control set to 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 65 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Dec 11, 2023
After reviewing my owner’s manual on my newly purchased vehicle, I was shocked at how quickly and unexpectedly I was propelled from 75mph to 105mph because of a new-to-me feature on this model. I was surprised and moreover shocked that a system like this is mass-produced and sold worldwide. Seems like the manufacturer should provide proper training materials and not just the dealer telling me to Youtube it. I fear for my life every time I get behind the wheel. If someone unassumingly were to drive this vehicle without becoming accustomed to they ways it operates, I fear of what horrible accidents may result. I wish I could give the car back but the dealership won’t do anything for me. So I felt it necessary to make this report. Hopefully the features on this particular model of a major vehicle manufacturing brand are re-examined. Something just doesn’t seem right with this specific sub-model.