Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 50% | 8,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 16% | 45,000 miles |
| 2021 | 22 | 18% | 37,000 miles |
| 2020 | 43 | 15% | 29,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 20% | 80,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 7% | 17,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 3% | 38,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% | 108,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2008 | 64 | 14% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 20 | 14% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 45 | 18% | 114,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 8% | 99,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the low battery warning was illuminated. The contact stated many of the safety features such as the blind spot warning, Electronic Stability Control, and other unknown warnings were illuminated and indicated that the features were disabled. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was no failure of the 12V battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and read that the 12V battery was not able to power all of the safety features for the same year, make, and model. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the Lane Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance, and other safety features intermittently failed to operate as needed with various messages displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure, and a diagnostic test was performed; the contact was informed that the Hybrid battery had failed to operate at full capacity which caused to the failures. The contact was informed that there was no remedy for the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message " Trailer Brake Module Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the integrated trailer module (ITRM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had failed to make the part available for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the high voltage warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that AAA was notified and was able to jumpstart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that a message indicating to turn off the voltage to save power or restart vehicle appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed to drive the vehicle more and the battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact then stated that the front passenger's side window inadvertently rolled down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the glider and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V149000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions, the electrical system had malfunctioned causing the vehicle to inadvertently shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the 12-volt battery was faulty. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V869000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated; however, there was no vehicle or object nearby. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who changed the Forward Collision Avoidance System sensitivity however the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 500.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key fob would not unlock the door. The contact attempted to manually start the vehicle however, there was no electrical power and the engine was not cranking. The contact jump started the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the connectors between the battery, the Power Train Control Module (PCM), and the battery needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the battery connectors were wet due to severe weather in the area prior to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled downhill into another parking lot and the contact parked the vehicle. The message "Drivability Unsafe" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a diagnostic report to the manufacturer who declined to cover the battery replacement and advised the dealer to replace several unknown parts connected to the battery. The contact followed up with the manufacturer and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (64), 2006 (45), 2020 (43), 2021 (22) and 2007 (20) model years. Electrical complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape Hybrid electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Ford Escape Hybrid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Escape Hybrid electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (5 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (3).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.