InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2023 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls

Typical Rising

NHTSA has received 129 owner complaints about the 2023 Ford Escape, or 35.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.83, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #58 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 36% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 44% lower.

Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count

Complaints filed between 2023-06-02 and 2026-08-31. Median delay from incident to filing: 15 days.

129Complaints
35.1Complaints per year on the road
0.83Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
13Recalls
5.4%Share involving a crash or fire
49Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2022) drew 79.6 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 32.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 53 complaints, 36% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Electrical (36.4% of complaints), followed by Engine (27.1%) and Transmission / powertrain (12.4%). Electrical complaints are 2.3 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “notification electrical”, “battery”, “electrical system”, “system recall” and “charged”. 7 reports (5.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 24 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the second year (29% of incidents). In the last 12 months 49 new complaints were filed, versus 37 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls for this model year. 79% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles0.83
  • vs. other Ford models0.64
  • vs. other 2023 models0.83
  • vs. other Compact SUVs0.56
  • Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (53)0.64
  • #58 of 92 · 2023Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 2018205.0 per year4.87
  • 201975.6 per year1.8
  • 2020270.7 per year6.43
  • 202164.3 per year1.53
  • 202279.6 per year1.89
  • 202335.1 per year0.83
  • 202432.2 per year0.77
  • 202516.1 per year0.38

Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Electrical47 · 36.4% · 2.31×
  • Engine35 · 27.1% · 1.22×
  • Transmission / powertrain16 · 12.4% · 1.07×
  • Interior & equipment10 · 7.8% · 0.87×
  • Driver-assist systems9 · 7.0% · 1.22×
  • Body & structure5 · 3.9% · 0.43×
  • Brakes3 · 2.3% · 0.38×
  • Other2 · 1.6% · 0.88×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Electrical · Common terms in reports

  • notification electrical9
  • battery17
  • electrical system11
  • system recall8
  • charged6
  • screen10

Engine · Common terms in reports

  • engine23
  • mode10
  • limp7
  • coolant temperature4
  • brand6
  • pulling5

Transmission / powertrain · Common terms in reports

  • powertrain malfunction3
  • transmission8
  • diagnosed7
  • illuminated6
  • light8
  • metal3

Problem areas: Engine · Body & structure · Transmission / powertrain · Interior & equipment · Electrical · Fuel system · Brakes · Wheels, tires & suspension · Airbags & seat belts · Driver-assist systems · Steering

When complaints were filed

2023: 14 14 2023 2024: 39 39 2024 2025: 33 33 2025 2026: 43 43 2026
  • Crashes reported: 4
  • Fires reported: 3
  • Injuries: 3
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr20.9%
  • 1–2 yrs28.7%
  • 2–3 yrs26.4%
  • 3–5 yrs24.0%
  • 5+ yrs0.0%

Median age at incident: 24 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2023 · Compact SUVs

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2023 Jeep Cherokee30.80.02
2023 Jeep Compass4512.20.29
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan6016.30.39
2023 Mazda CX-56116.60.39
2023 Subaru Forester7319.90.47
2023 Chevrolet Equinox9425.60.61
2023 Ford Escape12935.10.83
2023 Hyundai Tucson17447.41.13
2023 Toyota RAV422160.11.43
2023 Kia Sportage29780.81.92
2023 Honda CR-V626170.44.05
2023 Nissan Rogue698190.04.52

Safety recalls (13)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY Campaign 26V091000 · 2026-02-17

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, and instructions to limit the maximum charge of the battery were mailed February 26, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY Campaign 25V789000 · 2025-11-14

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, and instructions to limit the maximum charge of the battery were mailed December 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 18, 2025.

ENGINE Campaign 25V372000 · 2025-06-03

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Campaign 25V343000 · 2025-05-23

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

ENGINE Campaign 25V345000 · 2025-05-23

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V315000 · 2025-05-09

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM) Campaign 24V954000 · 2024-12-20

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS Campaign 24V852000 · 2024-11-08

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS Campaign 24V634000 · 2024-08-23

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Campaign 24V440000 · 2024-06-14

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Campaign 23V506000 · 2023-07-21

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

ENGINE Campaign 23V380000 · 2023-05-26

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM Campaign 22V859000 · 2022-11-18

Summary: 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.

Remedy: 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.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Ford Escape?

129 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Ford Escape, or about 35.1 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Ford Escape?

The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 36.4% of complaints.

Does the 2023 Ford Escape have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 safety recall(s) for this model year.

Is the 2023 Ford Escape still generating complaints?

In the last 12 months 49 new complaints were filed, versus 37 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.

How does the 2023 Ford Escape compare with similar vehicles?

NHTSA has received 129 owner complaints about the 2023 Ford Escape, or 35.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.83, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #58 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 36% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 44% lower.