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Your vehicleHome›Ford›Escape› 2023
Ford · Compact SUV

2023 Ford Escape

Plug-in hybrid Hybrid Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
21 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls8 critical 13
Complaints4 crash · 3 fire · 3 injured reported 138
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 40 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2023 Ford Escape is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Escape FWD PHEV, is EPA-rated at 40 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year, 8 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 138 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Ford Escape — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Ford Escape (2001 generation) · Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Escape FWD PHEVPlug-in hybridFWD2.5L 4-cyl + 78 kW DCPM423740 (65 MPGe blended)37 mi electric333.4 h$1,700
Escape AWD HEVHybrid4WD (part-time)2.5L 4-cyl + 230V Ni-MH423639———$1,700
Escape FWD HEVHybridFWD2.5L 4-cyl + 216V Li-Ion423639———$1,700
Escape FWDGasFWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo273430———$2,250
Escape AWDGasAWD1.5L 3-cyl turbo263228———$2,400
Escape AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126———$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 47220, 46389, 46325, 46324, 46388, 46387.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Escape AWD HEV, Escape FWD PHEV8 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 20 / California LEV-III SULEV20All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Escape FWD HEV8 / 10California LEV-III SULEV20 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 20All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Escape AWD, Escape FWD7 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Escape AWD7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.5 L

Fuel Economy

FuelElectric

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionElectronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT)
Transmission speeds1

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Active, Base, PHEV, Platinum). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length180.7 in
Width (body, without mirrors)74.0 in
Height66.1 in
Wheelbase106.7 in
Track, front62.6 in
Track, rear61.8 in
Curb weight3,283–3,904 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear58/42 to 59/41

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 6 configurations: 4-door SUV 1.5L AWD, 4-door SUV 1.5L FWD, 4-door SUV 2.0L AWD, 4-door SUV 2.5L Hybrid AWD, 4-door SUV 2.5L Hybrid FWD, 4-door SUV 2.5L PHEV AWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2023 Escape
Other years The 2026 Escape Recalls Ford recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Ford Escape is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (13)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

25SC4
25,237 vehicles 43% reported repaired Plug-in hybrid only
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. Risk Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. Fix Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V091000 reported Feb 17, 2026 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

25SC4
20,558 vehicles 32% reported repaired Plug-in hybrid only
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. Risk Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. Fix Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 a
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V789000 reported Nov 14, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Engine

25S61
404 vehicles 74% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V372000 reported Jun 3, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Engine

25S54
1,809 vehicles 71% reported repaired
Problem 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. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. Risk An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. Fix 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. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V345000 reported May 23, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

25S52
6,781 vehicles 57% reported repaired
Problem 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. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in. Risk An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V343000 reported May 23, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

25S49
1,076,138 vehicles 90% reported repaired
Problem 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, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse. Risk A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V315000 reported May 9, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

24S79
20,484 vehicles 86% reported repaired built Jul 10, 2019 – Apr 17, 2024
Problem 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. Risk Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. Fix 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S79.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFChronology PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V954000 reported Dec 20, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

24C39
27,678 vehicles 66% reported repaired built Jul 29, 2019 – Sep 13, 2024
Problem 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V852000 reported Nov 8, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

24S54
24 vehicles 79% reported repaired built Jun 27, 2023 – Apr 4, 2024
Problem 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V634000 reported Aug 23, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Forward Collision Avoidance

24S39
209 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Apr 19, 2023 – Nov 9, 2023
Problem 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. Risk Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions increa Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V440000 reported Jun 14, 2024 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

23C25
38,695 vehicles 82% reported repaired
Problem 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 improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays." Risk An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V506000 reported Jul 21, 2023 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Engine

23S27
125,322 vehicles 89% reported repaired
Problem 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 be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. Risk An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. Fix 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. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If a connecting rod bearing failure is detected, dealers will replace the engine long-block. All inspections and repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notific
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V380000 reported May 26, 2023 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

22S73
521,746 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. Fix 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. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previ
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V859000 reported Nov 18, 2022 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Escape

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2023 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Ford publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Ford’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2023 Ford Escape, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2023 Ford Escape

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Escape →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
138complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

11 per 10,000 built · Ford reported 123,384 Escape built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2023: 14 · 2024: 39 · 2025: 33 · 2026: 52

Most-cited components

Electrical System → 61
Engine 37
Power Train 24
Forward Collision Avoidance 19
Unspecified 18
Lane Departure 10

In depth: electrical problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

After incomplete over-the-air (OTA) update instrument panel cluster (IPC) fails to illuminate and only chimes when powered. Vehicle drives normally, but no speed, fuel, warning telltales shown to the driver. Safety issue as the driver is not informed of this critical vehicle information
Electrical System Aug 31, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11760838
vehicle threw code P0CFF, risking thermal management failure. Ford is refusing to honor the emissions/hybrid defect mandates, leaving a known thermal defect active on a high-voltage system. They're refusing to cover this under warranty for me
Engine Oct 9, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11770252
At any random time, all sensors fail. Blind spot systems, parking sensors, pre-collision assist, front camera fault, cross traffic system, cruise control, lane assist, auto headlights. Returned to the dealership multiple times, with no resolution.
Forward Collision Avoidance Aug 23, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11610436
The Vehicle's Emission Control System has detected a restricted fuel vapor tube between the fuel tank pressure sensor and the fuel tank which could result in a fire. Service Engine Soon Warning
Fuel/Propulsion System Apr 22, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11584376
The lane keeping system in my 2023 ford escape hybrid platinum keeps me too far to the left. When driving the lane keeping system keeps me too close to the center lane marker.
Lane Departure Feb 5, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11640805
a 2023 Ford Escape. while driving at approximately 76 MPH, I observed a warning chime dinging, the power train warning light illuminated, and the low engine coolant message was displayed. I received a notification via the Ford Pass APP stating that "There was a failure with the vehicle and to see the dealer'.
Power Train Jul 7, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11599860

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Ford itself: 6 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 6 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 4.9 per 100,000 built. Every Escape model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 16k

miles, typically

Half the 33 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 8,000 and 35,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 13
10k–20k 6
20k–30k 3
30k–40k 5
40k–50k 2
50k–60k 1
60k–70k 1
70k–80k 0
80k–90k 0
90k–100k 1
100k–150k 0
150k + 1

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System1615,5001.07×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2023-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆14%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 severity unknown

Oct 2024 to Oct 2024 · 1 with an air bag deployment · 1 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: CoPilot 360 Assist+ (1)

Crash partner: Animal 1

Filed by: Ford Motor Company

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Oct 2024Level 2 · CoPilot 360 Assist+AnimalunknownOH50 mph502-8946

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

10-Day Update on Report 502-8946-1: Ford has received the police report and updated the information regarding the incident scene coordinates, speed limit, and confirmation that the driver and passenger of the Escape did not sustain any injuries during the crash.
Ford Motor Company report 502-8946 Oct 2024 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 208
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-14
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 176 service bulletins, 21 over-the-air updates, 11 others

Most often about: Unknown Or Other, Electrical System, Power Train, Equipment, Engine.

  • TSB 26-2442 Service bulletin
    2026-10-14 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin supersedes 26-2297. Reason for update: Add 2022-2025 Transit vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display screen after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when shifting the vehicle to reverse under these conditions.
  • SSM 55221 Service bulletin
    2026-10-06 · Power Train
  • For 20222026 vehicles equipped with a 8F35 transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported transmission concerns and aids in locating the proper root cause. During diagnosis and testing, details regarding whether the condition is more prevalent when t
  • SSM 55211 Over-the-air update
    2026-10-02 · Engine
  • 2023-2026 Escape and 2025-2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the turbocharger wastegate control actuator linkage for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-04 Fuel Charging and Controls - Turbocharger - 1.5L EcoBoost > Removal and Installation > Wastegate Control Actuator Linkage service procedure has been added. In addition, the
  • TSB 26-2428 Service bulletin
    2026-09-29 · Power Train
  • This bulletin supersedes 25-2326. Reason for update: update the service procedure to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement, update the causal part number, and increase the labor time allowance to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble
  • TSB 26-2428 Service bulletin
    2026-09-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System
  • This bulletin supersedes 25-2326. Reason for update: update the service procedure to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement, update the causal part number, and increase the labor time allowance to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble
  • TSB 26-2092 V2 Service bulletin
    2026-09-22 · Unknown Or Other
  • This article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as well as removing Expedition and Navigator. One time use parts for Corsair and Bronco Sport were also added to the parts list. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a headliner rattle or sagging condition around the roof opening panel. This may be due to the adhesive separating f
  • TCU-26.2.12.2.2 Mach E, F Over-the-air update
    2026-09-16 · Unknown Or Other
  • Quality improvements include: -Addresses a bug that may cause updates to fail
  • ECG-26.2.12.3 Bronco,Esca Over-the-air update
    2026-09-09 · Electrical System
  • Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P1285
P1285 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P1299
P1299 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train6 bulletins
P0301
P0301 on Ford →		Cylinder 1 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0302
P0302 on Ford →		Cylinder 2 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0303
P0303 on Ford →		Cylinder 3 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0304
P0304 on Ford →		Cylinder 4 is misfiring.Unknown Or Other · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P2450
P2450 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other4 bulletins
P0316
P0316 on Ford →		Misfire in the first seconds after start-up.Power Train2 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0767
P0767 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train3 bulletins
P0A7DManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train3 bulletins
P0DE6
P0DE6 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train3 bulletins
U2016
U2016 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Unknown Or Other3 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

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At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2023 Ford Escape failed the emissions check on 1.5% of first inspections — close to the 1.6% for every 2023 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.88% (every 2023 vehicle: 1.1%).

New York inspections 1.5%

failed emissions

4,317 initial inspections of 4,210 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2023 EscapeEvery 2023 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.5%1.6%4,308
Failed the safety inspection0.88%1.1%4,317
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.09%0.16%4,317
Miles driven a year8,38810,038odometer at inspection
Average odometer27,03932,673odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2023 vehicle” is every 2023 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Escape by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 C 3 4 40 mpg2025 F 10 31 40 mpg2024 F 10 88 39 mpg2023 this page F 13 138 40 mpg2022 F 21 384 41 mpg2021 F 21 497 41 mpg2020 F 25 1,905 41 mpg2019 C 3 596 26 mpg2018 D 4 1,821 26 mpg2017 C 4 2,701 26 mpg2016 D 4 1,167 26 mpg

Common questions about the 2023 Escape

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2023 Ford Escape have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 13 recall campaigns for the 2023 Ford Escape, 8 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 26V091000, covering Electrical System. 2 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. 1 campaign is phased, so the repair reached some model years before others. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2023 Ford Escape?

NHTSA gave the 2023 Ford Escape 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (21/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Ford Escape?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2023 Ford Escape, the best EPA combined figure is 40 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2023 Ford Escape?

Transport Canada measured it at 180.7 in long, 74.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.1 in tall, on a 106.7 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,283–3,904 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2023 Ford Escape?

Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford Escape, most often about electrical system, engine, power train. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 3 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2023 Ford Escape?

The EPA smog rating for the 2023 Ford Escape runs 7 to 8 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV20, California LEV-III SULEV30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 20, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2023 Ford Escape?

The manufacturer has filed 208 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2023 Ford Escape, most often covering unknown or other, electrical system, power train. The most recent is dated 2026-10-14. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2023 Ford Escape do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2023 Ford Escape failed the emissions check on 1.5% of first inspections — close to the 1.6% for every 2023 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.88% (every 2023 vehicle: 1.1%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations6 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls13NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints138NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings5 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins208NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA11 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2026 Escape The Escape model year with the cleanest record on file — grade C, 3 recalls.Recalls Every Ford recall on file All campaigns filed against Ford vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Escape by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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