2023 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability

The 2023 Ford Escape has 122 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. Owners most often flag *2013-2019 generation:.

Safety record for the 2023 model year

122
Owner complaints
13
Recalls
4
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2023 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
52
engine
31
power train
20
forward collision avoidance
15
fuel/propulsion system
8

Recalls affecting the 2023 Escape

fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system

Campaign 22V859000

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.

engine

Campaign 23V380000

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…

electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Campaign 23V506000

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 i…

forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control

Campaign 24V440000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and powertrain, with no single consensus. Long-term owners of the first-generation (circa 2001-2007) and second-generation (circa 2008-2012) models with V6 engines report them as durable "tanks" capable of high mileag

  • *2013-2019 Generation:
  • Catastrophic engine failure (coolant intrusion into cylinders) – Affects 1.5L, 1.6L, and some 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Described as a design defect leading to eventual engine replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Numerous recalls – Including for bush bearings that inhibit gear changes and other safety items, with parts often on backorder. Frequency: very frequent.
  • High-pressure fuel system failures – Camshaft wear leading to fuel pump failure, requiring engine removal on some models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Transmission problems – Including failures, notably with the 6F35 transmission unless fluid is changed very regularly. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Escape.

Typical used price

Used Escape listings typically run $21,780–$28,463 across 2015 to 2026 model years.

Other Escape model years

2020 Escape2019 Escape2017 Escape2013 Escape2008 Escape2005 Escape2003 Escape2000 Escape
Full Ford Escape owner reportCompare against another car