Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 9 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

9 total · 9 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V122000 · Mar 2026

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V862000 · Dec 2025

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Structure recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V829000 · Dec 2025

A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V787000 · Nov 2025

Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V372000 · Jun 2025

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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V343000 · May 2025

An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy
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. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V161000 · Mar 2025

An inverted rearview camera image will not accurately display what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C08.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V049000 · Jan 2025

An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C02.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V850000 · Nov 2024

During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger side instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C38.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

23 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
11

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 5transmission slipping 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed, and the vehicle drove under reduced power. The contact…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed, and the vehicle drove under reduced power. The contact exited the highway, pulled into a gas station, and waited for the engine to cool down. The contact resumed driving, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer later informed the contact that the warning light was no longer illuminated, and the failure could not be duplicated while test-driving the vehicle for an hour. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11752454 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
7

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: Multiple computer related problems, including sensing objects that do not exist while using automated cruise control. Automatic braking engagement when car senses objects that do not exist both in…
Read full complaint

Multiple computer related problems, including sensing objects that do not exist while using automated cruise control. Automatic braking engagement when car senses objects that do not exist both in the front and rear while driving. Rear sensor occupancy alert randomly triggered when it has been turned off, And when there is nobody in the back seat. GPS unable to locate signal even in wide open spaces, randomly drops service. Various climate control components read improperly, or do not display appropriately. Numerous morning messages both before and after incidents. The vehicle has been to Ford dealer, they have been unable to reproduce or determine what caused these faults.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761617 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
2

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1loss of braking 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up unexpectedly. Additionally, more effort was…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up unexpectedly. Additionally, more effort was needed to depress the brake pedal, causing the braking distance to become extended. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11728831 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: Several spots on the body are misaligned which could indicate underlying assembly issues down to the frame which could impact crumple zones and safety.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763917 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged erroneously. Additionally, the contact stated that while…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged erroneously. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to switch lanes at highway speeds, the Lane Departure Assist erroneously engaged and pulled the vehicle back into the initial lane, preventing the contact from switching lanes. The contact was uncertain whether a warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the computer system was reprogrammed; however, the failure recurred soon after. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11669703 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 23 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2025 and 2026, roughly 19 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2025 has 23 complaints on file, fewer than the 2024 (76). Of the 16 model years of the Ford Escape we cover, the 2013 has the most (2,748). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.