2026 Ford Escape recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2026 Ford Escape and 4 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are electrical system (2), engine (2), service brakes (1). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 26–39 mpg combined, depending on configuration.
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of any Escape model year from 2012 to 2026. It has 3 recalls vs. an average of 10.8 per model year.
Recalls 3
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2026 Ford Escape. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Power train · automatic transmission · internal · park pawl
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 15, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V863.
Electrical system · propulsion system · traction battery
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.
Seat belts · rear/other · retractor
Problem: 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.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
When driving on the highway. The moonroof cloth screen was open and began hearing a crackling sound coming from the moonroof when suddenly shattered and collapsed inward.
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. Saf…
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. Ou…
Safety ratings
2026 FORD ESCAPE GAS SUV N/A AWD
2026 FORD ESCAPE GAS SUV N/A FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2026 Ford Escape.
Escape AWD
Auto 8-spd · 4 cyl · 2.0 L · Turbo
Regular
Escape AWD
Auto 8-spd · 3 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Escape AWD HEV
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2026 Ford Escape, most recently for power train · automatic transmission · internal · park pawl (05/13/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford Escape?
Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are electrical system (2), engine (2), service brakes (1).
Is the 2026 Ford Escape safe?
The 2026 Ford Escape earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2026 a good year for the Ford Escape?
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of any Escape model year from 2012 to 2026. It has 3 recalls vs. an average of 10.8 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Ford Escape get?
EPA ratings for the 2026 Ford Escape range from 26 to 39 mpg combined, depending on configuration.
Own a 2026 Ford Escape in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved November 2, 2026. NHTSA model names used: ESCAPE GAS, ESCAPE PHEV, Escape.