Most common 2025 Ford Escape problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Escape complaints by model year
Best Escape years: 2025, 2012, 2023. Years to avoid: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018, 2014. Compare all years →
2025 Ford Escape recalls (9)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
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.
Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
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.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and Escape vehicles. The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control) or a loss of brake…
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.
Engine
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.
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.
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
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.
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…
Show 3 more recalls
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Escape vehicles. The rearview camera may incorrectly display an inverted image when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Bronco Sport, Escape, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving.
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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Escape vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
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.
What 2025 Ford Escape owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the vehicle stalled. The failure also occurred while making a turn from a complete stop. The vehicle was restarted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer informed the contact that no failure was found. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and associated the failure with the recall. However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had been unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
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.
Electrical system
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.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH with the cruise control activated, the brakes engaged independently. The contact stated that while attempting to start to vehicle, the radio displayed a blank screen. A dealer was contacted. A warning light was illuminated; however, the contact was unable to state which warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and remained for nine days, and was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Driver assistance
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.
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.
2025 Ford Escape engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | CVT | FWD | 42 / 37 / 40 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 42 / 36 / 39 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD | 42 / 36 / 39 |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 27 / 34 / 30 |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 26 / 32 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Ford Escape a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Escape rates better than average: 55% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Escape at the same age. It is one of the best Escape years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Ford Escape?
The engine & cooling — 9 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (7) and driver assistance (4).
How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Escape have?
There are 9 recalls for the 2025 Ford Escape, the most recent from March 3, 2026 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Escape?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018 and 2014. See the full Ford Escape years comparison.
At what mileage do 2025 Ford Escape problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 5,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.