2024 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 76 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2024 reports, 5 involved a crash. 6 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
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
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelNov 8, 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Escape vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Dealers will replace the passenger side instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C38.
Campaign 24V850000 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
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
19 reports, newest first. Show all
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 29, 2026
The adaptive speed control is supposed to react to changes in speed limits. It also reacts to bridge capacity signs. This causes a sudden change in speed that the occupants and the following vehicle did not expect. In one location the speed limit is 50mph and there is a bridge with a 20 ton limit. The vehicle brakes to slow down to 20mph when passing the sign.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 12, 2025
Following ongoing unresolved ADAS and Pre-Collision Assist failures that have required repeated service visits and manufacturer engineering involvement, my vehicle underwent a master modem/system reset while in dealership custody. After this reset, vehicle access, safety alert history, and diagnostic data were erased, preventing verification, monitoring, or reconstruction of safety-critical events. Safety Issue Description On or about December 11, 2025, while the vehicle remained in service for unresolved safety system failures, the dealership performed a master reset of the vehicle’s modem/telemetry system. Immediately afterward: •My FordPass access was removed •All historical vehicle alerts and safety warnings were erased •No active alerts are displayed, despite documented prior ADAS failures •The vehicle now shows no alert history, no mileage data, and no retrievable safety logs •The vehicle appears as a new/uninitialized vehicle in the FordPass system This reset occurred without resolving the underlying safety defect and while engineering had previously indicated no fix was available. Systems Affected The loss of telemetry, alert history, and diagnostic logging impacts multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including but not limited to: •Forward Collision Warning •Automatic Emergency Braking •Lane Departure Warning •Lane Keeping Assistance •Blind Spot Warning •Rear Cross-Traffic Warning These systems rely on integrated camera, sensor, and software data that can no longer be verified, reviewed, or audited. Why This Is a Safety Concern The master reset eliminated evidence of prior safety warnings and failures, impairing: •Driver awareness of active or recurring safety conditions •Manufacturer and regulator ability to diagnose or confirm defect behavior •Event reconstruction in the event of a collision or near-miss •Oversight of whether safety systems are functioning as designed
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 11, 2025
The safety-critical driver-assistance systems on my 2024 Ford Escape have remained in a failed state since March 2025. The Blind Spot Detection (BLIS), Cross-Traffic Alert, Park Aid, Pre-Collision Assist, and Front Camera systems all display warnings and do not function reliably. The vehicle has now been in the dealership for over 62 cumulative days for this safety defect, including 38+ continuous days on the current repair order. Ford engineering has taken control of the case and has stated there is no fix available and no estimated timeline for repair. A major electronic module was replaced under engineering direction in November, but the same safety-system faults continue. The vehicle’s alert history and FordPass data have remained frozen and non-updating for months, indicating a continued system-level electronic failure. The vehicle is still at the Ford dealership under engineering control with no repair available, which confirms the defect is ongoing, unresolved, and unrepairable at this time. These persistent failures impact multiple crash-avoidance systems and create a significant safety risk during lane changes, cross-traffic backing, parking maneuvers, and forward-collision situations. I request NHTSA review this as a potential defect trend involving the 2024 Ford Escape driver-assistance systems.
Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 25, 2025
My 2024 Ford Escape remains in the dealership since Nov 3, 2025. Today I was notified that Ford engineering and the dealer still cannot clear the ongoing Pre-Collision Assist / Forward Collision Warning faults. This is now the 13th documented safety-system failure. Multiple ADAS systems have failed since March 2025 (BLIS, Cross Traffic, Park Aid, Front Camera). After the Nov 14 IPMA module replacement, new issues developed including TPMS failure and alert-history not recording events. Vehicle is unsafe to drive and unrepairable after multiple attempts. Ford engineering states codes will not clear.”
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 24, 2025
“While driving a 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid loaner (provided while my 2024 Escape is in the shop for ongoing ADAS failures), the vehicle displayed a new safety system malfunction warning at startup. This is the third ADAS-related failure on this loaner (previous events on Nov 13 and Nov 23). Weather was clear and dry, and the warning appeared immediately at key-on, not while driving, indicating a system defect—not environmental obstruction. This now confirms a recurring pattern across multiple Ford Escapes and model years. My primary vehicle has had ADAS failures for months and remains in the shop since Nov 3 with no fix. This loaner failure further supports a platform-wide safety defect involving the camera/IPMA system.”
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Electrical system, Nov 24, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 23, 2025
Component: Forward Collision Avoidance / Lane Departure / Visibility / Electrical / I am filing this complaint regarding a loaner vehicle (2026 Ford Escape Hybrid) provided to me while my 2024 Escape remains in the dealership for unresolved ADAS safety failures. The loaner has now shown two separate ADAS malfunction warnings: the first on Nov 13, 2025 (“Front Camera Fault / Pre-Collision Assist Not Available”), and the second on Nov 23, 2025 showing another safety system failure during startup. My primary Escape has been in the shop since Nov 3 for identical ADAS issues that Ford engineering has not been able to repair. The fact that the loaner demonstrates the same failures raises concern that this may be a systemic defect affecting multiple model years. The dealership has also acknowledged multiple Escapes with similar issues. Safety risk remains high.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 20, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The ADAS system (IPMA front camera module, BLIS, Cross-Traffic, Park Aid, and alert-history logging) continues to malfunction even after Ford installed a new IPMA/IPA module on Nov 14. Vehicle is at the dealership and available for inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Safety alerts fail to appear, the ADAS system does not record events, and blind-spot/lane-change warnings are missing, creating a collision risk. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Dealer and Ford Engineering Hotline confirmed defects continue after module replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes. Ford Engineering Hotline and dealership technicians have inspected and attempted repairs. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. ADAS warning messages began March 24, 2025. After the Nov 14 module install, alerts persist and the alert-history remains incomplete.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 17, 2025
Repeated failures of BLIS, Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Assist, Parking Aid, Front Camera/IPMA, cruise control, and Miles-to-Empty (MTE). Likely ADAS module/IPMA-related. Vehicle is currently at Ford dealership and available for inspection. ADAS failures caused no blind spot, no cross-traffic, and no forward collision warnings. Nearly collided during a lane change when BLIS did not detect a vehicle beside me. Safety systems fail unpredictably at highway speeds, increasing risk to me and other drivers. Yes—BLIS faults, Cross-Traffic faults, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, Front Camera Fault, Parking Aid Malfunction. First appeared on 3/24/2025 around 3,900 miles, 2 weeks after I bought the car new. Alerts appeared regularly until 9/16/2025, then stopped recording despite faults still occurring. Yes. Ford dealership reproduced the problems on multiple visits, and 2 Ford Hotline engineers confirmed the ADAS faults. Ford authorized replacement of the IPMA (front camera/ADAS module). Yes. Ford dealership technicians and Ford engineering Hotline inspected and diagnosed the failures. IPMA replacement was authorized by Ford. No police or insurance involvement. Yes—BLIS faults, Cross-Traffic faults, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, Front Camera Fault, Parking Aid Malfunction. First appeared on 3/24/2025 around 3,900 miles. Alerts appeared regularly until 9/16/2025, then stopped recording despite faults still occurring.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Sep 20, 2025
Our vehicle has been in and out of the ford dealership 6 times now for the same problems. Now they say that it will take maybe another 2 months to have a fix. This is even though it has said each time that it has been fixed. Now they want us to return our loner a drive an unsafe car without safety features for the unseen future. I have had two case numbers open with ford and they will not respond back with the second case. I have to keep calling them. They expect us to drive an unsafe vehicle and it is unacceptable that they are doing this.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Sep 18, 2025
Starts with Front camera malfunction popping up in cruise control and randomly while driving than jumps to a couple warning that safety features are malfunctioning (brake, blindspot, front camera,parking etc ) all stop working After that nothing works and all warnings pop up when car starts
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Jul 4, 2025
Ford put out an update at the end of April 2025 that inhibited ALL advanced driver assistance systems from working. I took my escape to the dealership twice in May and June and it’s not fixed. I called ford and they promised an update in July but it’s still not out to fix their mistake.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 17, 2025
While driving down the interstate at 60mph, screen displayed two error messages: “parking brake function limited” and “collision assistance unavailable.” I completely lost brake function for ~10 seconds. Only didn’t crash because no one was stopped ahead of me. Took to dealership who “couldn’t replicate” the issue, later told me they had fixed it by reprogramming the software. Two inconsistent answers gave me no sense of trust in the repair. This issue could kill somebody if at the wrong time and they were completely indifferent. I’ve since traded the car but have no faith Ford has any desire at all to investigate or resolve what could be a fatal error to someone.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, May 29, 2025
Blind spot fault, Pre-collision assist fault, Cross-traffic system fault warning icons appeared on dashboard in June 2024. Been to the Ford service dept. four times with no resolution.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Apr 30, 2025
I have been experiencing a series of error messages that pop up on my dashboard while driving since March 31, 2025. The first message is my adaptive cruise control braking is being turned off. The message reappears before I have a red triangle appear with the words resume control and a loud warning sound. The dash board starts a series of error messages that rotate saying pre-collision assist not available, check parking sensors, blind spot system fault, cross-traffic system fault and front camera fault service required. I have taken my Ford to the dealership twice. I am told there is not a fix for my vehicle until Ford releases a new software update sometime in the month of May.
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 28, 2025
While driving warnings for adaptive cruise, blind spot, forward collision, front camera, park aid etc start and then all the system quit. I have pictures. I took my car to dealership to be checked. At first I was told they could find nothing wrong. I showed them pictures of my alerts and messages on my ford pass app. I was told a software patch would be sent. I contacted them again to ask if there was more news. I was told not at this time. I saw there was a problem with this module on the 2025 escape.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Mar 28, 2025
While driving with the adaptive cruise control, the vehicle displayed a hazard warning and beeping to take control of the vehicle. Then multiple other warnings followed including Pre-collision assist not available, check parking sensors, blind spot system fault, cross-traffic system fault, and Front camera fault service required. These messages would go away after turning the vehicle off, but would come back between 30 or 40 miles into a drive. Then in the past 2 days they stayed on as soon as it was started. No cruise control, no blind spot detection, and lights and warnings have been constant on my dash. I took it to the Ford dealership and they did not have any recalls on the vehicle. They said that they reset the IPMA and did a IPMA alignment. They test drove for 6 miles and all of the warnings came back on. They advised that another software update is coming in April. They reset the IPMA again and said that when it comes back on to contact them after the new update comes. I called Ford Warranty Customer Service and they advised that the vehicle is still under warranty and to take it to a Ford dealership. I told them that I did that and that the dealership is unsure of the problem and guessed that the upcoming update could fix it. I told them that I'm driving a vehicle right now that the dealership fully expects will go into a fault again while driving. I also raised concern that I drive a lot of miles and my warranty could expire before they have a confirmed repair for this problem. The reply was to take it to a Ford dealership.
Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 8, 2025
On dashboard, states: Regain Control, Bind Spot System Fault, Cross-Traffic System Fault, Front Camera Fault Service Required, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available. We have a [XXX] in the car and the added safety features to assist while driving are faulty. Ford knows it is an issue but has not been able to fix it. Taken it in twice for a system wipe but it reappears within a day. Spoke with Ford Customer service to begin a claim. We purchased the vehicle in June 2024 and started in July 2024. Was told a fix would be March 2025, now they said May 2025. Keeps getting pushed out because they cannot fix the issue. Warning lights on dashboard on at all times. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated without an object or vehicle being nearby. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 300.