Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford Escape, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system41
- Engine28
- Power train24
- Forward collision avoidance11
- Unknown or other9
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Lane departure7
- Vehicle speed control7
- Structure5
- Service brakes4
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 Ford Escape failed the safety check 0.51% of the time — 25% less often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 8,985 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1,569 2023 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 5 variants; 5 of 5 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Ford Escape HEV SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.4 % |
| 2023 Ford Escape HEV SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 16.9 % |
| 2023 Ford Escape PHEV SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 14.3 % |
| 2023 Ford Escape SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.4 % |
| 2023 Ford Escape SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 16.9 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 8.0–9.1 L/100 km (about 26–29 mpg US), CO₂ 188–211 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escape · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 6.9 | 8.0 |
| Escape AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.4 | 8.4 |
| Escape AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 7.6 | 9.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
9 Transport Canada recalls for the 2023 Ford Escape.
| 2026070 18 Feb 2026 | High Voltage Issue: On certain vehicles, the software update installed by a Ford dealer during recall 24S79 (Transport Canada recall no. 2024-781) may not be effective. As… |
| 2025628 14 Nov 2025 | High Voltage This recall was replaced by Transport Canada recall no. 2026-070. Issue: On certain vehicles, the software update installed by a Ford dealer during recall… |
| 2025306 3 Jun 2025 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the cylinder head may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the cylinder head plug(s) could fail. If this happens, eng… |
| 2025281 23 May 2025 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine block heater could overheat when the block heater is plugged in. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equi… |
| 2025260 9 May 2025 | Visual System Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to display or to freeze when the transmission is shifted into reverse… |
| 2024781 20 Dec 2024 | High Voltage Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem inside the high-voltage battery could cause a short circuit. If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the whee… |
| 2024348 14 Jun 2024 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, the cruise control radar module may not have been aligned correctly during production. As a result, the adaptive cruise control m… |
| 2023409 24 Jul 2023 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster could remain blank. As a result, warnings, tell-tales and gauges may not display. Note: This recall only … |
| 2023309 29 May 2023 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.5 L HEV or PHEV engine, a manufacturing problem could lead to an engine failure. In some cases, an engine failure… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2023 Ford Escape: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011951 | Some 2020-2024 Escape and Corsair Vehicle built on or before 17-Aug 2024 equipped with the 8F35 or the HF45 transmission may exhibit a click or ting noise during acceleration from a stop, or in some cases during the end of a stop event. |
| 11011931 | When replacing the 12V battery on 2022-2025 Escape hybrid vehicles, download and run the Battery Type Configuration application using the latest version of the Ford Diagnostic and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool. |
| 11010920 | Some 2023-2025 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost engine, 2024 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine, 2024-2025 Nautilus, and 2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an engine misfire condition with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0301, P0302, P0303 and/or P0304 set in the powertrain control module (PCM). |
| 11010789 | " Some 2023-2024 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with driver assistance features with minor feature code DBCAB for Escape and minor feature code DBCBC for Corsair and 2022-2024 Expedition vehicles equipped with driver assistance features with minor feature codes DBCBB and DBCBC may exhibit driver assistance feature warning messages displayed in the IPC" |
| 11010612 | 2023 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L PHEV powertrain may exhibit a condition where the DTE display (gas) disappears from the IPC. This may be due to the software installed in the IPC. |
| 11010208 | '-Improved connectivity. -Reduces TCU based Key Off Load battery drain. - Map orientation improvement - removes false"IP Configuration Failure" message when wrong WiFi password is entered. - Improves functionality of Stolen Vehicle Services |
| 11010001 | Quality improvements: -Addresses Accessory protocol Interface Module reboot at start up -Charge Status messaging strategy that also follows the IPC strategy. |
| 11009564 | Some 2020-2024 Escape and 2021-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles may exhibit a moan noise when the vehicle is driven in reverse (R) in cold weather and/or high humidity. |
| 11009563 | Some 2020-2024 Escape and Corsair Vehicle built on or before 17-Aug 2024 equipped with the 8F35 or the HF45 transmission may exhibit a click or ting noise during acceleration from a stop, or in some cases during the end of a stop event. |
| 11009438 | Some vehicles equipped with SYNC4 may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms after all currently available accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software updates have been performed. |
| 11009190 | Some 2020-2024 Escape and 2021-2024 Bronco Sport vehicles may exhibit a moan noise when the vehicle is driven in reverse (R) in cold weather and/or high humidity. This may be due to the suspension sensitivity of the vehicle. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to install brake pads with clips and if necessary, install the rear reinforced caliper bushings. |
| 11008954 | Some 2023-2024 Escape vehicles may exhibit a condition where the image processing module A (IPMA) is unable to program with a message displayed in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool indicating "Procedure Unsuccessful-Call Get Restore Invalid Hardware: RJ6T-14H107-BBB". |
| 11008948 | While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. |
| 11008920 | Some 2023 Escape vehicles equipped with a 12 inch IPC display built on or before 10-Jul-2023 may exhibit a roundabout/traffic circle arrow directing the traffic to go to the left (or clockwise) around the roundabout. |
| 11008698 | Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U2100 and/or U3002 stored in the cruise control module (CCM), side obstacle detection control module LH (SODL), side obstacle detection control module RH (SODR), side obstacle detection control module C (SODCMC) and/or side obstacle detection control module D (SODCMD) after a module replacement. |
| 11008540 | "Quality improvments include: - Allows the SYNC strategy for Charge Status messaging to match the Cluster messaging strategy - Improved SYNC stabilty. - Provides enhanced security when accessing external content" |
| 11008225 | Some 2023-2024 Escape vehicles built on or before 21-Mar-2024 and equipped with a B&O audio system may exhibit an intermittent no audio condition with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U0238 stored in the audio control module (ACM) and/or in the accessory protocol interface module (APIM). |
| 11007980 | Some 2023-2024 Escape vehicles equipped with a HF45 transmission may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with DTC P07E6 stored in the inverter system controller SOBDMC, the GSM will display a flashing P on the dial, the P on the instrument cluster is not illuminated, and the vehicle will be stuck in the park (P) position. |
| 11007962 | Some 2020-2024 Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles may exhibit the uncommanded locking of the driver door after the door is closed. |
| 11007910 | Some 2023 Escape/Corsair equipped with 2.5L full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) or with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain may exhibit an intermittent 12V battery drain condition when the ignition is tuned off. This may be due to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control module that keeps the controller network (CAN) bus active. |
| 11007135 | Quality Improvements include: - Reduction in Key off load battery drain via Enhanced Central Gateway (ECG) controlled reset. - Addresses Accessory Protocol Interface Module (SYNC) displaying update status as not completed. - Addresses potential vehicle no start condition post OTA update. |
| 11007127 | Quality improvements include: - Improved Phone as A Key functionality post Enhanced Central Gateway module (ECG) reset. -Minor quality fixes in Enhanced Central Gateway module (ECG) Software, not affecting vehicle operation. - Addresses potential vehicle no start after OTA update. |
| 11006837 | Some 2023-2024 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with driver assistance features with minor feature code DBCAB for Escape or minor feature code DBCBC for Corsair may exhibit various driver assistance feature warning messages displayed in the IPC. |
| 11006521 | Some 2023-2024 Escape vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2024 and equipped with 1.5L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0496 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM. |
| 11006477 | Some 2023-2024 Escape/Corsair, 2024 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit various AWD/4WD/4x4 warning messages displayed in the message center with loss of AWD function for the remainder of the active key cycle. DTCs C0095, C05D9:74, P060A, P060B, P060C, and/or P1674 may be stored in the AWD module. This condition may be due to the software in the AWD module. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)