Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2023 Ford Escape is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Escape?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Escape have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

2023 Ford Escape

▲ Better than typical

2023 Ford Escape
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:27.495Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 101
Recalls: 11
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Electrical system

Complaints per year

2023: 101 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	5
2001	996
2002	1,027
2003	558
2004	499
2005	1,394
2006	464
2007	254
2008	1,974
2009	1,692
2010	2,071
2011	1,319
2012	603
2013	2,751
2014	2,087
2015	1,096
2016	1,128
2017	2,698
2018	1,821
2019	596
2020	1,614
2021	347
2022	236
2023	101
2024	77
2025	26
2026	3

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

41% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and instrument cluster/panel.

FIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-05

Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system

About a month ago, my vehicles dash lit up and the car told me to shut it off. I had it towed to the dealership who then completed module updates and said I was all set.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-24

Engine

28% · 28 reports

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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 âengine coolant over temperatureâ for approximately 10...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-08-18

Power train

24% · 24 reports

Show complaint excerpts

**On August 19, 2026, while driving my 2023 Ford Escape on Interstate 57 (I-57), with approximately 35,575 miles on the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-21

Also filed under Service brakes and vehicle speed control

Forward collision avoidance

14% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing adaptive cruise control and warnings.

Lane departure

8% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing blind spot detection and assist.

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2023-02-28Fuel system, gasoline22V859000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2023-12-04Electrical system23V506000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-05-03Engine23V380000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-07-03Forward collision avoidance24V440000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-10-07Fuel system, gasoline24V634000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2024-12-19Equipment24V852000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2025-05-30Electrical system24V954000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2025-06-27Engine25V345000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2025-08-08Engine25V372000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2025-10-08Back over prevention25V315000 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,...

Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2026-06-09Electrical system, equipment25V343000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2023 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Electrical system: 41 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 28 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 24 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 22V859000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 23V506000 · Electrical system
Recall 23V380000 · Engine
Recall 24V440000 · Forward collision avoidance
Recall 24V634000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 24V852000 · Equipment
Recall 24V954000 · Electrical system
Recall 25V345000 · Engine
Recall 25V372000 · Engine
Recall 25V315000 · Back over prevention
Recall 25V343000 · Electrical system, equipment

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2023 Ford Escape reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2023 Ford Escape is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Escape?: The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Escape have?: 11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2023 Ford Escape

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Electrical system

Engine

Power train

Forward collision avoidance

Lane departure

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years