Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2026 Ford Escape by year filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2026 Ford Escape
SUV, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Feb 24, 2026 to Jun 14, 2026.
Recall campaigns covering this model year2988 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints3Below the median 2026 suv
Severity index0.02026 suvs average 10.9
First 24 monthsOpenWindow has not closed yet
Components
67% of complaints about the 2026 Ford Escape name electrical system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
2 recall campaigns cover the 2026 Ford Escape
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-301 | May 12, 2026 | Integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park | Powertrain | 208 | Software update |
| 25V-862 | Dec 12, 2025 | Seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened | Seat belts | 780 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2026 Ford Escape
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jun 14, 2026Failure May 15, 2026Long Beach, CAElectrical system, Engine, Service brakes
Description On your vehicle, the integrated park module ipm may not properly engage the park pawl, preventing the vehicle from locking into park when park p is selected. If this condition occurs, a wrench light and shift system fault message will be displayed in the instrument panel cluster. Additionally, the vehicles electronic parking brake epb will automatically apply. Safety Risk If the park pawl is not properly engaged and the electronic parking brake - epb - is not applied, your vehicle may experience a roll-in-park, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy A remedy is not yet available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide software for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available July 10, 2026. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.
NHTSA complaint 11744045 - Filed Feb 25, 2026Failure Feb 13, 2026Bedford, INElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system
PHEV sometimes fails to "start". That is, vehicle will not enter "Ready" mode when brake is depressed and Start button is pressed. Instead, 'Refuel Error', 'Stop Safely Now', 'Service AdvancTrac', 'PreCollision Assist Not Available', and several other warnings appear. This only occurs on the first 'start' of the day, when the EV battery has been recharged overnight, indoors. Outdoor use/charging does not have this effect. Concerned that something is overheating during indoor charging. Dealer has not been able to fix.
NHTSA complaint 11720491 - Filed Feb 24, 2026Failure Feb 19, 2026Ann Arbor, MIVisibility/wiper
My 2026MY Ford Escape is having intermittent rear view camera issues. On two separate occasions in the last week, when I put the vehicle into reverse, there is no image displayed on the center stack screen. The screen was completely blank and did not show what is behind my vehicle. I tried putting the vehicle back into park and then back into reverse and it still did not work. Yesterday, I took the vehicle to my local Ford dealership and was told that there is no recall for this. I worked at Ford for 32 years and I am familiar with the laws governing safety features on passenger vehicles. I am concerned that this is similar issue that was announced recently by Ford on the Bronco Sport. The technician at the Ford dealership said for me to keep driving it until Ford becomes aware of the issue specific to other 2026MY Escapes and then issues a recall and a potential fix. Based on my experience working for the company, this may take several months. I am concerned that this will lead to accidents that could endanger kids, pets, or personal property. Please compel the company to address this quickly. Thanks.
NHTSA complaint 11720074
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
27 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- TSB 26-2092 V2 Sep 22, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
This article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as well as removing Expedition and Navigator. One time use parts for Corsair and Bronco Sport were also added to the parts list. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model … - TCU-26.2.12.2.2 Mach E, F Sep 16, 2026 · Over The Air
Quality improvements include: -Addresses a bug that may cause updates to fail - ECG-26.2.12.3 Bronco,Esca Sep 9, 2026 · Over The Air
Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements - SSM 55100 Aug 22, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is completely detached from the seat cover and W7… - SSM 55031 Jul 23, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) while the charging system is ope… - SYNC-25.2.3.11.1 Escape Jun 23, 2026 · Over The Air
Quality improvements include: -Resolves SiriusXM disk memory usage - TSB 26-2297 Jun 24, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when shifting the vehicle to reverse under th… - SSM 54943 Jun 16, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2025-2026 Escape vehicles equipped with an 8-inch IPC display (minor feature code HCAAN), may exhibit a fuel gauge showing the tank is filled to the 8th mark below full when the fuel tank is full. To confirm a vehicle is built with a certain minor feat… - SSM 54939 Jun 16, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) sto… - SSM 54918 Jun 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some of the following vehicles: 2025-2026 Mustang Mach-E vehicles built on or before 27-Jan-2026 2025-2026 Maverick/Bronco Sport vehicles built on or before 20-Jan-2026 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 02-Dec-2025 2023-2026 Escape/Corsair ma… - SSM 54857 May 21, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2020-2026 Explorer/Escape/Corsair, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport/Bronco, 2022-2026 Maverick, 2024-2026 Mustang/Ranger/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the turbocharger wastegate control actuator linkage for vari… - SSM 54825 May 15, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2023-2026 Escape vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0767, P0766 and/or P2703 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and harsh/no reverse en… - SSM 54797 May 4, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) sto… - SYNC-25.2.4.10 Escape Apr 27, 2026 · Over The Air
Quality improvements include: -Minor infotainment system software update - ECG2-25.2.8.5 Escape Apr 1, 2026 · Over The Air
`Quality improvements include: -Enhanced FordPass connectivity - SSM 54741 Apr 13, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2025-2026 Escape/Maverick/Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with an 8-inch instrument panel cluster (IPC) display may exhibit a condition where the fuel gauge displays up to the 8th mark below full fuel level when the fuel tank is full. This condition doe… - TCU-25.2.8.5 Escape Mar 25, 2026 · Over The Air
"Quality improvements include: -Addresses a loss of connectivity caused by a Cellular Domain Service outage" - TSB 26-2092 Mar 9, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
This article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as well as removing Expedition and Navigator. One time use parts for Corsair and Bronco Sport were also added to the parts list. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model … - SSM 54615 Feb 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2020-2026 Escape and 2021-2026 Corsair vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine may exhibit a fuel door that won't open with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04CA stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to an open circuit on circuit SB… - SSM 54595 Feb 19, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2025 Maverick/Corsair and 2025-2026 Escape/Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission and built on 01-Sep-2024 and through 15-Sep-2025 may exhibit a condition where the vehicle will not shift out of Park (P) and exhibit an illuminated pow… - SSM 54601 Feb 24, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keyp… - SSM 54586 Feb 16, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2025-2026 Escape/Maverick/Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with an 8-inch instrument panel cluster (IPC) display may exhibit a condition where the fuel gauge displays up to the 8th mark below full fuel level when the fuel tank is full. This condition doe… - SSM 54540 Jan 31, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2025-2026 Escape/Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may require replacement of the engine thermostat due to various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-03A Engine Cooling > Thermostat Housing > Removal and Installation … - SSM 54522 Jan 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2025-2026 Escape vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0073 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and/or B1B38 stored in the body control module (BCM). The vehicle may also exhi… - SSM 54491 Jan 14, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2021-2026 Escape/Corsair vehicles equipped with a roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized looseness/sagging or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A revised sunshield clip (54521… - TSB 25-2479 Nov 5, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
This article supersedes TSB 25-2249 to update the Service Procedure. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" message in the IPC and at least one of the following conditions: Various drive… - SSM 54312 Oct 21, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Some 2020-2026 Escape and 2021-2026 Corsair PHEV vehicles may require inspection of the high voltage battery due to rust, scratches, curb strikes, road debris, or other minor damage. Section 414-03A of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has recently been updated to …
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.