2023 Ford Escape: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023- Owner complaints
- 107
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes reported
- 3
- 3 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Ford Escape: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Escape is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Ford Escape. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 3-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 28–30 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | AWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cylHybrid | FWD, 4WD | 39 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | FWD | 520 mi range |
- The 2023 Ford Escape was sold in four versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Escape that averages well under the EPA 26 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Engine overheat warnings, limp mode
650–4,200 miles
Transmission failure, metal shavings
70,000–111,114 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Ford Escape, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical40No crashes
Two reports describe fires. One started under the hood while driving, and the other started in a parked car with no one inside. More often, the 12-volt battery will not stay charged, so the car needs jump starts, sometimes daily, and shows battery saver warnings. Some cars lose power on the road with charging system messages, heavy steering and a firm brake pedal. Screens and instrument clusters go dark, headlights cut out, and seat heaters get hot enough to burn. Plug-in hybrid owners describe long charging limits while waiting on battery repairs, sometimes with parts unavailable.
Engine17No crashes
Sudden coolant over-temperature warnings appear, often while passing or merging. The car then drops into limp mode or dies in traffic. Some warnings appear while the gauge reads normal and the coolant is full. Dealers have found cylinder head and top-end damage, a misfiring cylinder with a leaking exhaust valve, and metal shavings in the coolant. Parts are often on backorder for weeks or months. Other reports describe stalling or hesitation when pulling into traffic. One fire started in the engine compartment at about 7,400 miles.
Overheat or low coolant warnings come on at highway speed and the powertrain light turns on. The car may drop into limp mode and slow down suddenly. In both reports, the dealer concludes the engine needs replacing, in one case along with the head gasket. The failures happen very early, at about 3,900 and 4,200 miles. Neither car had been repaired when the report was filed.
Transmission16No crashes
Transmissions fail outright. Shops find metal shavings in the fluid, and the car will not move in drive or reverse. Complete failures show up between 70,000 and 111,114 miles, often after a hard downshift or jerking with little warning. Lower-mileage cars hesitate from a stop, downshift suddenly, or show overheat and low coolant warnings at highway speed that trigger limp mode. Dealers often cannot reproduce the problem. Owners describe engine replacements, long waits for transmission parts and repair bills over $6,000.
Automatic emergency braking82 crashes
Automatic emergency braking fails to stop the car, and two reports involve crashes, including a low-speed rear-end collision. Adaptive cruise control speeds up without warning. In one case it read a county road sign as a speed limit, and in another it surged after a car cut in ahead. Lane keeping pulls left or holds the car too close to the center line. Some cars lose every driver aid at once, including blind spot warning, parking sensors and pre-collision assist, and repeated dealer visits have not fixed it.
Body and structure3No crashes
Doors and body panels come loose or stop working. A rear door handle fails so the door will not open from outside, and later it will not open from either side. A liftgate hinge cover flies off in a car wash. In a rental car, the hood flew open over a railroad track and hit the windshield, blocking the driver's view. There are only a few reports, but the hood and door failures carry real safety risk.
Brakes21 crash
Brake assist cuts out briefly, and the pedal goes to the floor until the driver pumps it several times. In one report this happened three times on a single drive. A separate report blames a high brake pedal for a foot getting caught between the pedals and a low-speed crash. With only two reports, no wider pattern is visible, but both describe a car that did not stop when the driver expected it to.
Seats2No crashes
An exposed seat rail cuts a leg as the driver gets out, causing a minor cut at about 600 miles. Shorter drivers say the fixed headrest pushes forward into the head when the seat is upright and close to the pedals, and it cannot be adjusted to fix this. There are only two reports, so these read as design complaints rather than a failure pattern.
Backup camera2No crashes
The backup camera shows a blue screen, displays a message to contact the dealer, or fails to show people and cars behind the vehicle. One report describes a near miss with a pedestrian. Dealers reset the camera and update its software, but in both reports the failure comes back. The reports list mileages of about 10,668 and 55,000. One owner was offered a buyback.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Escape owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
my 2023 ford edge caused burns to the back of my legs. i was unaware until my grandma informed me that something was wrong with my legs. i noticed when i got the car 2 months ago level 3 of the seat warmer was way to hot like i felt it burning. so i only used on setting 1 or 2 and did not feel the burning sensation like when used on 3 but somehow my legs are burned
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
12volt battery is too small Ford replace the battery with another small battery that one failed Vehicle went into sleep mode twice I payed for a AGM battery about a month ago I haven’t had trouble since I want Ford to pay for the larger battery $308.32
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
My 2023 Ford Escape acts like it is about to stall out once I hit the gas from a stop. It has happened multiple times. After idling for 10 minutes when I go to take off it will shift so hard that it pushes you forward in your seat. It has not been taken to a dealership yet since no light comes on and it doesn’t happen all the time. It has put my safety at risk since I was turning on the highway and it took 10-15 seconds to get up to speed.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Failed to shift into reverse. Seems to run some sort of safety check. Still does not reverse Dash active and showing messages from safety check - lights work. Wont shift into reverse. Car is parked in garage where it has been for previous 14 hours. Temp is above freezing No previous indication of problems other than low tire pressure on one tire.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
The transmission failed at 70,000 miles. The research the transmission shop did indicated the main bearing fails in these because they are made of cheap metal. The transmission just stopped pulling with little warning. It started with a jerking and then quit pulling. Within a few feet. There was not any slipping of the transmission before hand.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
3 times, either merging on the highway or full throttle, vehicle screams overheat warning with wrench light for a couple of seconds and disappears. No limp mode or smoke at all. And coolant level is at MAX. No clue is this some sort of glitch or engine failure? Vehicles drives amazing and power is great. Maybe it’s a software glitch?
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
How the 2023 compares with other Escape years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Escape years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical4038
- Engine17218
- Transmission1684
- Automatic emergency braking81
- Body and structure3101
- Brakes212
Where the 2023 fits in the Escape's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the fourth model year of the Escape's fourth generation (2020 on).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2023
- Updated front grille and headlights
- New infotainment system features
Recalls to confirm (13)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V091000ElectricalFeb 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 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.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair 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.
25V789000ElectricalNov 2025
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.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. 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.
25V343000ElectricalJun 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.
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.
25V345000EngineJun 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.
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.
25V372000EngineJun 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.
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.
25V315000Backup cameraMay 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.
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.
24V954000ElectricalDec 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.
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.
24V852000EquipmentNov 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.".
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.
24V634000Fuel systemAug 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.
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.
24V440000Automatic emergency brakingJun 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.
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.
23V506000ElectricalJul 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.".
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.
23V380000EngineMay 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.
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.
22V859000Fuel systemNov 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.
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.
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2023 owner complaints, side by side
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- 2023 Ford Escape107
- Hyundai Tucson142
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