2025 Ford Escape problems & reliability
23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Escape, alongside 9 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 26% |
| Engine | 5 | 22% |
| Unknown / Other | 5 | 22% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 17% |
| Power Train | 3 | 13% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 9% |
| Structure | 2 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 9% |
| Air Bags | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 14 reported components →What owners 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.”
Structure · filed Sep 13, 2026
“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…”
Forward Collision Avoidance · filed Sep 2, 2026
“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…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Jul 23, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
77 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Escape. The 10 most recent:
Some 2023-2025 Escape vehicles built on or before 16-Sep-2024 equipped with 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an "Engine Coolant Over-Temperature" warning message displayed in the IPC and an illuminated MIL with DTCs…
SSM 55142 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2026
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
SSM 55100 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2026
Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster…
SSM 55031 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
Quality improvements include: -Updates the gear shift lock diagnostic logic to prevent false wrench lights
GSM-26.P0929 Escape · Over The Air · issued Jul 9, 2026
Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when…
TSB 26-2297 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 24, 2026
Some 2025-2026 Escape vehicles equipped with an 8-inch IPC display (minor feature code HCAAN), may exhibit a fuel gauge showing the tank is filled to the 8th mark below full when the fuel tank is full. To confirm a…
SSM 54943 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 2026
Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no…
SSM 54939 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 16, 2026
Some of the following vehicles: 2025-2026 Mustang Mach-E vehicles built on or before 27-Jan-2026 2025-2026 Maverick/Bronco Sport vehicles built on or before 20-Jan-2026 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before…
SSM 54918 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 11, 2026
Certain 2023-2025 Model Year Escape and Corsair, 2024-2025 Model Year Nautilus, 2025-2026 Model Year Bronco Sport and 2025 Model Year Maverick Vehicles Equipped with an Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
25B33 · Other · issued Jun 1, 2026
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: * Engine misfire condition * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0301…
TSB 26-2210 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 28, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2025 Ford Escape has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2025 Ford Escape?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.