417 of the
2,267 complaints filed about the Ford Escape Hybrid
are about the engine —
18% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
On 20 July 2026, my 2022 Ford Escape HEV caught fire in the engine compartment while parked. The vehicle is likely a total loss (insurance pending). On-site emergency personnel responded within minutes of the fire and the local fire department was on scene within 5 minutes of the 911 call. They cleared the incident (and d/c the 12V) within 32 minutes of arrival. Detroit Fire Department Incident: 202620101471. This vehicle was subject to Ford Safety Recall 23S27 and Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06, which address a manufacturing defect in the 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine. Under that recall, connecting rod bearing journals were not properly finished, causing premature bearing and engine failure that can release engine oil and fuel vapor into the under-hood area resulting in a fire. The recall remedy was completed on my vehicle, as were all customer satisfaction program campaigns. The dealer performed the PCM software update, which is intended to detect early signs of bearing failure through diagnostic trouble codes (P1061 and P032F) so the failure can be caught before an engine breach occurs. The engine long block was NOT replaced. Under Ford's own criteria, long block replacement was only authorized if the vehicle exhibited loud metal-to-metal clanking noises, a loss of torque, or the associated diagnostic codes. Dealership personnel assured me an engine light would illuminate and I would have time to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road. My vehicle did not have any warnings: no clanking, loss of torque, or leaks-no diagnostic warnings of any kind before the fire. The recall remedy did not prevent the exact failure it was designed to prevent--Ford's response was inadequate to protect owners. My NHTSA VIN lookup shows no open recalls. I completed every recall and CSP Ford issued. I have complete dealer service records for this vehicle, photos of the damage, hi-res surveillance video is saved at work, as well. The vehicle is intact and has not been salvaged.
NHTSA complaint #11752612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin to say the engine is hot and sometimes without warning going to stop safely now however when you open the hood nothing is hot to touch and there's an extreme amount of coolant gone from the engine coolant tank have replaced coolant tank itself still having issue begin happening in March and is still continuing
NHTSA complaint #11750029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving the vehicle it lost power and all the check lights came on. Had to have it towed to a dealership where they stated it needed a new motor and new high voltage battery. The car has only 116000 miles on it. There should be a total recall for this type of vehicle if I would have been at a higher speed I would have injured myself or others. This car is riddled with problems and has over 19 recalls as of date.
NHTSA complaint #11748768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sluggish acceleration, car would not go faster than 37 MPH at full throttle, appeared to be running on hybrid motor only, not on engine power. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. 2.5 L engine. Only got 1 mile, returned home. No smoke, no fire, just not accelerating. Car was completely fine the day before. Got towed to Ford dealer next morning.
NHTSA complaint #11682471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My engine failed while driving. Towed to Ford dealership, found out about recall 23S27. Symptoms were the EXACT same but ford is refusing to cover warranty repairs because they said it did not throw the proper code. However ford has offered to cover half of the engine replacement, leaving me with a $4000 bill. Do I have any options? Is there a system of checks and balances that assures that ford is doing everything correctly on their end?
NHTSA complaint #11651570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal coolant consumption was noticed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #11649296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This defect has resulted in multiple vehicle shutdowns while in operation, significantly increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, Ford has identified a potential risk of battery thermal venting, which could lead to a vehicle fire, further endangering my safety and that of others on the road. Ford has advised not to charge the vehicle, further limiting its functionality and reliability. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, Stevens 112 Ford has confirmed that the vehicle is experiencing high-voltage battery failure, consistent with the recall. However, they have also stated that Ford has not developed a solution to repair this issue. Ford’s hotline has advised against any further repairs at this time. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by Stevens 112 Ford, who confirmed the issue. Ford’s technical hotline has been contacted, and they acknowledged the defect but advised against further repairs. No inspections by police or insurance representatives have taken place.
NHTSA complaint #11648228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Egr coolant leak in the first 70k miles of driving the car this has been causing my check engine light to turn on and the problem is 'discovered' when the part is no longer covered by warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11639693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sudden Catastrophic engine failure in less than 6 months, brand new. Winter weather driving, onset of engine sounds then louder With grinding noises, loss of power and cessation. Of function. I was stranded In the mountains with little to no phone function..had to arrange tow 1 hour away to nearest Ford dealership. Poor customer service just before the holiday. Stranded with no loaner available and no rentals available. Unknown cause, unknown if reproduced Dealer evaluated but did not providedocumentation Needs new motor in less than 6 momths???!!
NHTSA complaint #11632556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Failed to shift into reverse. Seems to run some sort of safety check. Still does not reverse Dash active and showing messages from safety check - lights work. Wont shift into reverse. Car is parked in garage where it has been for previous 14 hours. Temp is above freezing No previous indication of problems other than low tire pressure on one tire.
NHTSA complaint #11627492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after driving a short distance and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination. The contact stated that the incident was significantly frightening. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000(Engine); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,400.
NHTSA complaint #11623623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have received 2 letters from manufacturer, than I had appointment dealer service, I went there and worker sad to me we don't have it, than I tried another services , they same answer, than I contacted ford, ford told to me car is good condition don't need replacement
NHTSA complaint #11615422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upon purchasing and receiving the car from a dealership, I attempted to drive it around my neighborhood and after about 1 minute received a warning saying "safely stop now!" and the steering wheel locked and the power shut off in the middle of the street. The car would not turn back on and had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership (not Ford) already replaced the battery and that did not fix the issue. They are having to take it to Ford service to get it looked at. This poses a very significant safety risk because it could have happened on the highway, as some Ford Escape users have reported on forums. Before purchasing the car, all available recalls were addressed and "resolved", but clearly not all issues have been fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11615260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Had software update performed by dealer for 23S27 recall. Two weeks later sitting at a light amber box appeared that said check manual and had a picture of a wrench clicked ok to dismiss. Light changed and proceeded to make my left turn with no power. Looked back at dash and now MIL lamp (check engine) is lit. Pulled over, shut the car off and went to use rest room hoping car would reset itself. No joy car is in full blown limp mode 30 mph max. Called dealer and they said they would have to charge me a diagnostic fee. I said your are not supposed to charge a fee for a recall. Went home read the code with my own reader. P1061 was set. Googled the code and it said this code was setting on Escape hybrids after recall software update. On 9/5/24 took car to dealer said nothing was in the knock pid and reset the code and limo mode, tech noted it was likely to reappear. Sure enough two day later same code, same limo mode. I have a SAFETY concern with this recall leaving me powerless. Fortunately for me both times this happened was on city streets! I do a lot of freeway driving and if this happened on the freeway I would experience a high speed rear collision. Car is now having the long block replaced 23N06 and hopefully I never see this or experience this behavior again. I have my doubts!
NHTSA complaint #11614119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We were traveling to Springfield MO and just before Strafford our 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE flashed a wrench warning on our screen and immediately went into limp mode in rush hour traffic on I-44. We were in the passing lane going up a hill at the time passing a commercial truck and our speed dropped significantly. Luckily the vehicles behind us to were able slow down in time.
NHTSA complaint #11611195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and stated that the dealer only updated the powertrain control module, and had not inspected the engine. The contact stated that there was still a risk of an engine compartment fire. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #11608683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle at the gas station, fuel was splashing out of the fuel filler neck. The contact stated that upon attempting to refuel the vehicle again, the gas pump nozzle unintendedly stopped several times and fuel splashed onto the contact; however, the fuel tank was not full. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Service Engine Soon" and other unknown messages were displayed on the Ford Mobile App. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the canister purge valve was blocked and was obstructing the fuel circulation. The dealer determined that the fuel lines, the fuel system valves, and the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 43,578.
NHTSA complaint #11608505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.