general problems of the 2023 Ford Escape

Hi, vehicle is under a second recall for the high voltage battery potential fire hazard. The first recall lasted 7 months before a potential fix. The second recall was issued in November with no fix available yet. Received second recall identical to first recall indicating a fire risk with no apparent fix. I have requested Ford buyback the vehicle, but it fell outside the 18 month nys lemon law. They have refused. They have no fix and will not provide a loaner until it is fixed. The original vehicle electric range was between 38 and 40 with a window sticker range of 37. It is now down to around a range of 20 on full charge with an actual driveable of about 16. I have asked both Ford and delivering dealership to replace the high voltage battery pack as it has seriously deteriorated. Ford refuses to allow dealer to replace the battery pack. The vehicle is basically unusable for it's original intended purpose as a partial electric vehicle. I asked Ford, what am I supposed to do if I am transporting my two grandchildren in the vehicle and it starts on fire. How do I choose which child to get first? no response. These vehicles should be removed from use by Ford and loaner vehicles provided or a full buy back should take place. I only have 11,000 miles on this vehicle and it has been in the shop for more than 30 days for various warranty repairs and multiple recalls. These vehicles are not safe. See pictures attached for factual information from vehicle. I have plenty of detail if you need it. Please help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I drive a 2023 Ford Escape active, 8f35 transmission, with 111,114 miles on it. I purchased my car in July 2025 from truauto of ladson SC with 93,000 miles on it. Had a transmission complete failure in December 2025 (5 months after buying). Ford dealership in valdosta georgia (where I lived) was no help in trying to get it fixed and it sat on there lot for a months or so, because it was undriveable. I got it towed back to SC to get it fixed by a local transmission shop and it is being halted due to a current planetary lawsuit with these cars for parts. I have now been without a car for 2-3 months and have forked over $6,000+ to get this car fixed. I was not told about any known transmission issues when I bought this car (verbally or written) from truauto, nor was I contacted about any recall from Ford and I was denied a remanufactured transmission at the dealership that I went to to get the car fixed. I am out of warranty but that still doesn’t explain a transmission failure in a close to brand new car regardless of miles. I have already paid the $5400 or so for the repair at the local shop and it has yet to be fixed due to lack of availability of parts.

The transmission failed at 70,000 miles. The research the transmission shop did indicated the main bearing fails in these because they are made of cheap metal. The transmission just stopped pulling with little warning. It started with a jerking and then quit pulling. Within a few feet. There was not any slipping of the transmission before hand.

Purchased the vehicle approximately 45 days ago. Has driven fine with no problems. Randomly had a hard down shift and when I went to leave my destination put the vehicle in reverse and it would not go. The vehicle would not move in drive and when put in neutral it was still not even able to be pushed. Had it towed to the nearest Ford dealership, they diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the transmission, stated the vehicle was no longer drive able and recommend a transmission replacement or rebuild. Vehicle only has 80,000 miles.

The transmission had an internal failure that caused metal fragments to end up in the transmission fluid and caused failure. The vehicle will not drive and required the transmission to be rebuilt.

Purchased brand new 11/2023, immediately started with electrical problems 01/2024, also would put car in reverse and car would cut off, was dropped off at service but never given a reason for the issue or a repair. 01/2025 car had acceleration issues, dropped off at service and was given a rental and given car back with no explanation. 6/2025 car went into limp mode and was towed to service where they found shards of metal throughout motor, replaced motor and then started having problems with cab filling with exhaust, was told they had no rental available and could continue to drive the car with my baby in it, then told was just a gasket needed to be replaced, car had same issue immediately, returned back to service where the turbo then needed to be replaced as well as catalytic converter gasket, after repair, called numerous times complaining that car would shift very hard and wouldn’t accelerate while driving or pulling out on an intersection or from a stop light, was told valve body needed to be replaced, then check engine light came on immediately after pickup, returned car and purge valve needed to be replaced, after pickup issue of car not accelerating continued, was told no issue found, car acceleration issues has became worse and now have been told soonest available appointment and rental is 02/12/2026.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was instructed to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission overheated warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle went into limp mode. The contact stopped and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to another dealer who also was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission failed and was unable to shift into reverse(r) or park(p). The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

A 2023 Ford Escape. While driving at approximately 76 mph, I observed a warning chime dinging, the power train warning light illuminated, and the low engine coolant message was displayed. I received a notification via the Ford pass app stating that "there was a failure with the vehicle and to see the dealer'. I contacted the dealer, and they stated they did not see any warnings. Anytime I exceeded a certain rate of speed it still does this. The first time it happened, it had less than 800 miles on it.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, the contact turned on the cruise control and set it to 45 mph, however, the vehicle accelerated to 65 mph without warning. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer yet and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 mph, he observed a warning chime dinging, the power train warning light illuminated, and the 'low engine coolant' message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact's wife received notification via the Ford pass app stating that “there was a failure with the vehicle and to see the dealer”. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine and head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,900.

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 dealer replaced the 12-volt battery; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,500.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions, while stopped, while the accelerator was depressed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact was almost rear-ended several times when the failure occurred. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle idled for longer than five minutes, the vehicle also hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

3 times, either merging on the highway or full throttle, vehicle screams overheat warning with wrench light for a couple of seconds and disappears. No limp mode or smoke at all. And coolant level is at max. No clue is this some sort of glitch or engine failure? vehicles drives amazing and power is great. Maybe it’s a software glitch?.

Starting on July 12th, 2023, my audio control module stopped working, so there was no sound in my car. I took it into my primary dealership (bob maxey Ford of howell) on July 19th, 2023, they deemed that it was the acm and order a new one. My navigation and my adaptive cruise control acted funny as well, with my navigation not lining up with my actual location. Fast forward to the weekend just a couple of days later, I received notices that my car was going into deep sleep mode to save battery. This went off and on for several days with no warning. On Tuesday, July 25th, 2023, my car was completely dead, and I had to jump start the car to drive into work. My sound returned to my car, and I was able to drive to work. However, three warnings popped up my dashboard and my Fordpass application. The first is an orange wrench, indicating a powertrain malfunction/reduced power. A second warning indicating a high-voltage battery warning, and an engine light indicating a service engine soon warning. I relayed these warnings to my service advisor at the dealership this morning, who stated that he would look at seeing how the acm was coming along and would get back to me soon. It has been several hours and I have heard nothing back. I am worried about what may come of my car and I haven't been told to bring it in.