Ford Escape Complaints

758 consumer complaints on file.

#11727254March 26, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the vehicle stalled. The failure also occurred while making a turn from a complete stop. The vehicle was restarted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer informed the contact that no failure was found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and associated the failure with the recall. However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had been unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726985March 25, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When I am stopped at a light or stop sign and go to pull into an intersection, halfway into the intersection the vehicle stalls and does not want to move. It has caused me to almost get into several car accidents and thankfully other vehicles have been able to brake before hitting me. It has been scary as I have had my daughter each time in the back seat and a few times it would have been on her side she sits that would have been hit. Myself or a passenger is going to seriously get injured with the vehicle doing this. I took it to the garage and they can find nothing wrong with it as there are no lights on or codes but as soon as I pulled off the lot it happened again and it does it daily.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726928March 25, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues, and it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726306March 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Panoramic sun roof shade came loose and dropped down. Ford dealer wants $1400 - 1700 to fix it. I purchased Ford premium extended warranty for $3500. Warranty claim denied because they claim it was made of fabric which is not covered. What a scam. I contacted warranty myself and they informed me they can only cover if it was mechanical or electrical failure. I feel it is mechanical in nature. I've read a lot of complaints about escape sun shade failures. This should be a recall issue due to safety concerns from falling shades.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726178March 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Reporting Long term safety defect and manufacturer behavior. There was no single incident. This is an ongoing safety defect related to multiple battery recalls that now limit my vehicle to 80% charging (in the past, no plug in charging), now going on nearly three years. My Ford Escape PHEV has been subject to limited charging due to these multiple recalls, and I am concerned Ford may close the recall with a software‑only fix that cannot truly validate battery safety, especially if modeled on limited and not real world charging. I have complied with all of Ford's requests which came at my expense and caused increased fuel usage and a diminished efficiency of my car. Now I need assurance that when a "fix" is determined that it will indeed be a permanent fix that is safe at 100% charge. This is a potentially crucial safety issue and thermal consequences with my grand daughters sitting above the battery is of the greatest concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726171March 22, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicles coolant emptied out causing vehicle to overheat and smoke from under engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725864March 20, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725855March 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The HVAC evaporator condensate drain tube fails to drain externally, leaking water into the cabin. This saturates interior carpets, padding, wiring, and HVAC housing, causing extensive mold growth—a biohazard creating respiratory/infection risks. Severe since November 2025. Linked to Ford TSB 20-2358 (Oct 2020). Insurance declared total loss due to health/safety hazard. Husband has autoimmune muscle disease—mold exposure dangerous. Ford RAV denied twice (latest Feb 20, 2026, case XXX-XXX). This is a known latent design flaw Ford was aware of before my car was built—breaching implied warranty as the vehicle isn’t fit for safe use. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725185March 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
The power window on our 2022 Ford Escape will remain down after being rolled down and cannot be raised. This issue has occurred three separate times. When it happens, the vehicle cannot be secured and is exposed to weather and theft. The failure appears to be intermittent but recurring, indicating a possible design or electrical defect rather than misuse. This creates a safety and security risk, especially if the failure occurs while away from home or during bad weather. This problem has happened multiple times and is not resolved by normal operation of the window switch. Engine problems are occurring as well due to the stated recalls provided by nhtsa.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724490March 15, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle has stalled several times in the last couple of months. I go to accelerate and the vehicle suddenly stops out of no where. This has almost caused me to get into an accident. I see there have been several recalls on ford escapes and this issue should be looked into for my 2023 escape.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724486March 15, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Just after 36 month warranty expired, ceiling sunscreen came off track hanging down into car obstructing view through rear view mirror.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724262March 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The rear speed sensor on my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid is fused to the differential due to corrosion. The failure disables safety systems (ABS/Traction Control), and the design requires a $800+ partial teardown of the drivetrain to fix a basic sensor. This is a design defect that prevents safety-critical repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723865March 12, 2026
AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN
1. Passenger airbag fails to activate randomly. Passenger airbag light shows "off" with a passenger in the seat. Sometimes it works but often stays off for a whole day. 2. Transmission shifts gears by itself. Drive to neutral, Reverse to park. A software update changed the behavior but did not eliminate the fault. Now goes from Drive to Park. One time the vehicle shut off by itself after shifting from Drive to Park. It has been to the dealer 3 times for these problems, now scheduled for a fourth time. They keep saying they can't find the fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723424March 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have had issues with my car since the day that I bought it. First, my car squealed every time that I backed up. I took it to my local Ford dealership 3 or 4 times without this ever being fixed. This then progressed to my brakes squealing anytime they’re used. I barely have 25,000 miles on my car. Additionally, I have had numerous occasions where my car will get stuck and not shift, not accelerate which is extremely scary when merging into traffic, the RPM’s will jump between 3,000 and 5,000 and stay there while I cannot accelerate or shift. The vehicle has had episodes of shaking while I am driving, and now there is a grinding sound when driving for unknown reasons. My car has also sounded like there is a hole in the exhaust, although there isn’t. I’m not sure what’s causing the noise. Now I have come to find out that there are two active recalls on my car; one for the PCM control module (NHTSA Recall Number: 25V-467, Ford Recall Number: 24S55), and the SYNC/ display software update (NHTSA Recall Number: 26V-123, Ford Recall Number: 25S06) which is a lesser concern. I called the dealer that I bought my car from and they can’t service my car for the PCM control module via an appointment until 4/24/26 (over a month from now when I don’t feel safe driving my vehicle). They said that I can drop my car off before 4/24 for about a week, but that they can’t provide a loaner. I can’t be without a vehicle. Per Ford there are not parts for a permanent remedy anyway, and this is only a temporary fix as it is, which I don’t have confidence in. That’s ridiculous because the recall came out 7/2025. It’s been almost a year. They also told me that the SYNC software update is only a customer satisfaction, not a recall, so they won’t fix it, which is incorrect. I called Ford customer satisfaction and was also denied a loaner car. The only option that I was given was the possibility of a buyback program, which didn’t sound promising. I’m stuck in a car that I don’t feel safe in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722845March 8, 2026
ENGINE
I believe my car to be unsafe to drive because of the possibility that it could overheat, crack and release fluids on top of the engine causing a fire. They have yet to have a remedy for this and that is deeply concerning. I fear they often have recalls because FORD is not the best car to own. There’s so many problems all the time. It’s concerning and I feel like my car is unsafe to drive often.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722403March 6, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The recall on the fuel issue was released in July 2025. This is now March 2026. Eight months should be enough time to get the parts needed for this repair. What can you do to see about getting this process accelerated? Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722376March 5, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The engine continues to have a burning smell or rotten egg smell at high speeds, the car continues to hesitate when taking off from a red light like it is going to shut off and then jumps forward, and the engine continues to lag as does the battery or power when turning on the vehicle most mornings. I have brought the car in several times to the dealership and due to there being no codes showing, they will not diagnose it further and as soon as I get the vehicle back, the same issues and problems happen over and over again. I have had 4 service appointments now with no resolutions. I feel as though this car is a lemon and worry that it will continue to become more unsafe from ongoing engine, powertrain, and mechanical issues that cannot be fixed or diagnosed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722362March 5, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722260March 5, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle at the gas station, the vehicle failed to start immediately on several occasions. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. Additionally, while driving approximately 7-8 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle stalled. The message "Car Automatically Shifts to Park" was displayed. The contact shifted to park(P). The vehicle was restarted after a minute, and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where Diagnostic Trouble Codes for the fuel injectors were retrieved. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722226March 5, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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