Ford Escape Complaints (2023)

95 consumer complaints on file.

#11580041March 29, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control set to 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 65 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11571481February 12, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
On 1/29/24, I drove around town to run errands and on my second stop, I tried starting the car and it would not start, but it went into "accessory mode". I received SEVERAL warnings: Pedestrian Sounder, Memory Recall Failure, Front Collision Sensors, Tractions Control, Check Engine Light, etc. It also stated it would sound an alarm if we tried turning it on again. I sat there for 10 mins and tried turning it on after getting in and out of the car, looking underneath to see if oil or gas was leaking, which nothing was leaking. I kept trying to start the vehicle with no success, still getting the warnings. My spouse arrived after 15 mins and when she opened the hood and wiggled some cables around, we were able to start the car up and it was like it went through a factory reset as the memory for the driver seat went really close to the steering wheel. We called roadside assistance thinking we need to get this towed to a dealership but cancelled it after seeing it would start and my spouse driving it around the grocery parking lot carefully. When we got it to the dealership, it wasn't having those issues and they couldn't do much for it. On 2/10/24, the check engine light came on. We took it to the dealership on 2/12/24 and they told us the PCM malfunctioned. They did a software update on the PCM, which the dealership said has fixed the problem for now. Just worried this is going to happen again and will happen when I'm in a place where maybe my spouse can't come or we are traveling long distance. Prior to this incident, the dash (MPH, Gas level, Oil level, Engine Temp) of the vehicle, which is entirely digital, flickers like there is a short in the wiring somewhere. It doesn't happen every time we drive it, just sometimes (maybe 35% of the time). This was happening shortly after purchasing the vehicle in July 2023. I have a feeling that something relating to the electrical components, battery, chip/software/firmware in the Ford Escape needs to be replaced entirely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569144January 31, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine does not start or crank. It is available for inspection upon request. Pregnant wife and child were left stranded in the cold until I could pick them up. Problem has occurred on three separate occasions: 6/29/23 - No DTCs generated, Ford dealership did not do any work 9/22/23 - No DTCs again, but Ford dealership replaced a module and cleared other codes 1/29/24 - No DTCs. Dealership cleared other codes and informed of Ford SSM 52179 2023 Escape/Corsair - Intermittent No Crank/No Start Condition With Various Lost Communication DTCs Stored In Various Modules And Multiple Illuminated Warning Indicators Displayed In The IPC - Built On Or Before 07-Sep-2023. Dealership explained other customers have had complaints and Ford has no solution and is telling dealerships to return the vehicles to customers. Vehicle has not been inspected by any other party, including manufacturer, other than the dealership. There are messages for "Service AdvanceTrac" and "Park brake limited function, Service required" in the instrument panel each of the three occurrences.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568800January 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11565773January 16, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The navigation icon located on the instrument panel is a mirror image of the actual direction icon for roundabouts. If you are to take a right tune from a roundabout the indicator on the instrument panel shows you turning into oncoming traffic and taking a left. It appears to be a mirror image of the icon on the navigation screen. If not paying attention this could be VERY dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564593January 10, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 55 MPH he smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot where the hood was lifted and the odor emanated strongly from the engine compartment. Additionally, he noticed sparking, and then flames erupted. The vehicle was towed to an unknown repair center. The fire department distinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563415January 3, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
New 2023 Ford Escape purchased Dec 15, 2023. While accelerating onto expressway- get an error flashing "Engine Coolant Over temperature - service vehicle soon"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559613December 11, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
After reviewing my owner’s manual on my newly purchased vehicle, I was shocked at how quickly and unexpectedly I was propelled from 75mph to 105mph because of a new-to-me feature on this model. I was surprised and moreover shocked that a system like this is mass-produced and sold worldwide. Seems like the manufacturer should provide proper training materials and not just the dealer telling me to Youtube it. I fear for my life every time I get behind the wheel. If someone unassumingly were to drive this vehicle without becoming accustomed to they ways it operates, I fear of what horrible accidents may result. I wish I could give the car back but the dealership won’t do anything for me. So I felt it necessary to make this report. Hopefully the features on this particular model of a major vehicle manufacturing brand are re-examined. Something just doesn’t seem right with this specific sub-model.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554794November 13, 2023
ENGINE
Shortly after purchasing this, my daughter was driving it and the check engine light came on and it said it was overheating. The dealer was contacted and it was taken in for repairs. We got it back and was told that it was a broken wire in the wiring harness and they ordered a new harness but had fixed the wire so it should be good to go. 2 weeks later it did the same thing and actually went into limp mode. This time they said it was the sensor in the cylinder head and they ordered a replacement. Fast forward 3 1/2 months and it's still at the dealers. They are now telling us the cylinder needs to be replaced and the parts are on backorder. While we have been waiting they gave us a 2023 Bronco Sport with the same 1.5 liter 3 cylinder and that hasn't given any issues. When the loaner hit 5000 miles we had to return it to the dealer for a different vehicle. They gave us a 2023 Escape with the same 1.5 liter 3 cylinder and only 800 miles in it. The 2nd day my daughter drove it, it did the same thing as the one she originally purchased did. We have now been told by the service department that they have several doing the same thing and they are replacing the heads on each one when they get them. Our Escape is now on the Lemon Law Buyback and the dealer won't even give us the time of day. The dealer told my daughter she needed to stop the Lemon Law Buyback process and then they would talk to her about trading it in for a different vehicle. The issue is, she is upside down on the loan and the only way she can finish the Lemon Law buyback is to come up with close to $5000 to get out from under the vehicle and the dealer says there is no way that they can/will roll that into a different loan. Upon looking at the Forums many of these vehicles are having the same issue. Ford really needs to step up and take care of this ASAP. It isn't safe being stranded along the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552516October 29, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551709October 24, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle has a 1.5L dragon 3 cylinder. When passing vehicles, on 3 occasions it throws codes that says that the engine has an engine overheated issue, service asap, and goes into a limp mode which does not give you any time to get to safety before your speed is dropped below 55 mph. It will not go out of limp mode until you completely shut off the vehicle and wait 5 or so minutes and turn it back on. Even after it stays in a limp mode capacity and does not easily get back up to highway speeds. The certified dealership service department has had my brand new vehicle 7 weeks with no resolution. Car was bought with 16 miles on the odometer, on August 25th, 2023, at 650 ish miles on September 6th it happened the 1st time. The 2nd time was on September 14th, 3rd time September 15th, 4th time was, September 29th. 3 times on a 4 lane highway, 1st time on a 2 lane country highway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548405October 5, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
As I was driving home with about 5 minutes to go, in my brand new (2 week old)2023 Ford Escape, I smelled something burning. I pulled over and saw smoke so I turned off the car and got out. As I got out of the car I looked under and saw fire. I got away from the car and as I did, the fire kept growing and growing from under the hood. The fire went high enough to hit the trees on the side of the roasd. The police and fire department came and were able to put out the fire but not before the car was distroyed. There were no warning lights or any other symtoms of a problem prior to smelling burning. The Ford company has not responded to me from the day my wife spoke to a representative on Monday, October 2nd. The car fire was on Saturday, September 30th. It's been 3 days. My insurance company was going to do an inspection. Ford wants nothing to do with us. We have a police report and a fire report. This clearly was a engine or electrical problem with this car. I was lucy this happened on a small street and not on the highway where pulling over would have been difficult. Lucky I could smell it so I knew to stop. Lucky I didn't have one or both of my toddler grandchildren in the back seat in their car seats! I would never have been able to get them out in time!
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548274October 4, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
engine light came on took it into dealership. they said it was evap system then fixed it. picked car up in a wednesday by the friday, light came on again. took back into dealership, they didn’t detect any leaks.. said they were going to put in a canister purge solenoid. found out about 23S27.. apparently my vehicle vin doesn’t fall under that recall.. but yet my vehicle has all the signs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547386September 29, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
After the vehicle sits idle for about two contiguous days and you open the driver's door, there are not lights on inside or outside. Normally when you open the driver's door, the center dash and console light up as well as the ambient lighting in various areas of the interior. There is no mention of the 'battery deep sleep' anywhere in the online user manual for a non electric vehicle (ICE). Entering a dark interior in the middle of the night creates the potential for a slip and fall accident. Not to mention contact with kees and the dash or the door opening and the side of the head when trying to get situated behind the steering wheel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539326August 18, 2023
ENGINE
At approximately 1,000 miles on 2 separate occasions while traveling on the interstate, roughly 10 minutes apart, an audible chime and visual alert within the speedometer cluster appeared “engine coolant over temperature” for approximately 10 seconds. The temperature gauge within the cluster indicated normal, midway within the span of the gauge. The following day prior to starting the vehicle, a cold start essentially, the coolant level was “full”. I ran a “check engine” check with no stored codes in temporary or permanent storage. My 2023 Ford Escape has the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. When the warnings appeared, there was no reduction in engine power(limp mode) and no signs of steam while looking in the rear view mirror.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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