Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the infotainment center would display a black screen, and while doing so, the radio would continue to play. The contact stated that while driving at different speeds, the trunk would suddenly open, causing the contact to have to pull over and close the trunk in order to continue to drive. The failure occurred 3 times while the vehicle was parked at home. There would be a burning odor emitting from the vehicle intermittently; however, there would be no smoke or indication of where the smell was coming from. While parked at home and unoccupied, the rear window suddenly shattered, and the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The fire department and the insurance company had determined the vehicle would be totaled; however, an official determination had not been provided. …
As I was driving home with about 5 minutes to go, in my brand new (2 week old)2023 Ford Escape, I smelled something burning. I pulled over and saw smoke so I turned off the car and got out. As I got out of the car I looked under and saw fire. I got away from the car and as I did, the fire kept growing and growing from under the hood. The fire went high enough to hit the trees on the side of the roasd. The police and fire department came and were able to put out the fire but not before the car was distroyed. There were no warning lights or any other symtoms of a problem prior to smelling burning. The Ford company has not responded to me from the day my wife spoke to a representative on Monday, October 2nd. The car fire was on Saturday, September 30th. It's been 3 days. My insurance company was going to do an inspection. Ford wants nothing to do with us. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine and the front driver's side tire. In addition, the instrument panel was occasionally turned off independently. Additionally, during rainy weather driving the brakes were making abnormal sounds. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on several occasions and was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Mullinax Ford of Kissimmee (1810 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34744); for a second opinion; however, the failure could not be replicated. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the RPM was not increasing on the gauge on the instrument cluster. There was no warning illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact reported several electrical failures. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was blank, and the windows failed to respond while attempting to raise or lower the windows. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission software needed to be re-flashed, and the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Battery Issue, Pull Over" displayed, and the battery, check engine, and master warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and contacted the dealer, who instructed him to turn off and restart the vehicle. After following the dealer's instructions, the failure was resolved. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V091000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the recall but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the messages "Electrical Power Saver Active" and "Service Charging System Warning" were displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact's husband stated that the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop as intended, and the brake pedal felt firm while being depressed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and remained for further investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,338.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated on several occasions while driving, or while the vehicle was parked, all four doors locked inadvertently with the keys inside the vehicle. The contact stated the hatch failed to lock securely and there was no other way to get into the vehicle. The emergency brake light had illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but the vehicle could not be repaired on several occasions. The contact stated that a systems update was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the 12-Volt battery had become inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power while attempting to start the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had to charge the battery several times to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the issue was battery-related and was advised to drive the vehicle differently and to obtain a trickle charger for the battery. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "Blind Spot Detection System Fault" message was displayed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the trailer tow wiring harness (Part Number: LX6Z-15A416-B). The contact was informed that the wiring harness was damaged by the heat shield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the center console display remained off. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle however, the center console and the display was independently turning on and off. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery › Management system/energy control module (BMS/becm)
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.
Remedy: 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…
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2023 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Ford Escape, 41% of the model year's 101 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2023 Ford Escape electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-954 (management system/energy control module (bms/becm), Dec 20, 2024); NHTSA recall 23V-506 (instrument cluster/panel, Jul 21, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2023 Ford Escape electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 64% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.