2025 Ford Escape Problems

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.

I bought this vehicle in mid April 2026 with 9,500 miles. It has the 1.5L Ecoboost engine. I drove the car for 3,000 miles and noticed the coolant was at ‘minimum’ and wondered why a car with so few miles is using coolant. I took the car to my dealer and they confirmed coolant intrusion into the engine due to a bad head gasket. The vehicle is now at the dealer waiting on either a new head gasket or other more intensive repairs due to internal damage. I wanted to flag this because the engine is the 3rd version of this engine but the same issues as previous versions. The repair is under warranty.

I am requesting a serious investigation into potentially life-threatening steering, braking, and stability-control interventions in modern vehicles. I have experienced unexpected steering forces, directional changes, shaking, and behavior consistent with unintended wheel-specific braking across multiple vehicles, including my 2019 Toyota Prius and rental vehicles from several manufacturers. These behaviors occur on ordinary roads with uneven asphalt, pavement seams, manhole covers, and cross-slopes. I am concerned that electronic steering, stability control, wheel-speed sensors, or driver-assistance systems may be interacting incorrectly. How can these features be considered safe if their interventions can push a vehicle toward another traffic lane or into a bicycle lane? The risk is especially serious during freeway lane changes, when drivers must simultaneously monitor traffic ahead, approaching vehicles behind, blind spots, and available space. An unexpected steering or braking intervention at that moment can create a dangerous loss of control. I am also concerned that drivers may lack a meaningful way to disable certain interventions, even when they believe the systems are creating danger. I previously submitted complaint 11669864 and was informed that more complaints might be necessary before an investigation could begin. A potentially life-threatening defect should not be dismissed simply because insufficient reports have accumulated. I request that NHTSA review my existing complaint, assess whether unintended steering or braking interventions can cause dangerous directional changes, examine driver override limitations, and determine whether a broader investigation is warranted. I consider these behaviors potentially LIFE-THREATENING. A feature’s intended safety purpose does not guarantee that its interventions are safe. Drivers, passengers, and nearby motorists and cyclists not be exposed to avoidable hazards from systems intended to protect them.

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V091000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

I am requesting a serious investigation into potentially life-threatening steering, braking, and stability-control interventions in modern vehicles. I have experienced unexpected steering forces, directional changes, shaking, and behavior consistent with unintended wheel-specific braking across multiple vehicles, including my 2019 Toyota Prius and rental vehicles from several manufacturers. These behaviors occur on ordinary roads with uneven asphalt, pavement seams, manhole covers, and cross-slopes. I am concerned that electronic steering, stability control, wheel-speed sensors, or driver-assistance systems may be interacting incorrectly. How can these features be considered safe if their interventions can push a vehicle toward another traffic lane or into a bicycle lane? The risk is especially serious during freeway lane changes, when drivers must simultaneously monitor traffic ahead, approaching vehicles behind, blind spots, and available space. An unexpected steering or braking intervention at that moment can create a dangerous loss of control. I am also concerned that drivers may lack a meaningful way to disable certain interventions, even when they believe the systems are creating danger. I previously submitted complaint 11669864 and was informed that more complaints might be necessary before an investigation could begin. A potentially life-threatening defect should not be dismissed simply because insufficient reports have accumulated. I request that NHTSA review my existing complaint, assess whether unintended steering or braking interventions can cause dangerous directional changes, examine driver override limitations, and determine whether a broader investigation is warranted. I consider these behaviors potentially LIFE-THREATENING. A feature’s intended safety purpose does not guarantee that its interventions are safe. Drivers, passengers, and nearby motorists and cyclists not be exposed to avoidable hazards from systems intended to protect them.

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a systemic, life-threatening defect in the tuning of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software in modern vehicles, specifically experienced in the 2024 Ford Escape. I am a professional driver who operates vehicles for approximately 14 hours a day. My livelihood and my life depend on predictable vehicle handling. The current federal mandates surrounding un-deletable active driver assists are not protecting drivers; they are actively creating high-risk highway hazards. The Safety Defect: When encountering standard municipal road imperfections—such as sunken manhole covers, jagged asphalt seams, or road inclinations—the vehicle’s inertial (G-sensor) and lane-keeping software drastically overreacts. 1. Unprovoked Steering Redirection: The software interprets mechanical displacement from a pothole or road seam as an accidental lane drift. The vehicle then forcefully and violently applies steering torque to "correct" the lane position, throwing the vehicle toward adjacent traffic lanes. 2. Aggressive Stability Control Intervention: Upon hitting a road depression, wheel speed and G-sensors register a momentary traction anomaly. The computer panics and micro-brakes individual wheels, causing a violent, unpredictable swaying motion across both the front and rear axles. The Real-World Consequence: To stay in my lane and avoid colliding with neighboring vehicles or semi-trucks, I am forced to engage in a physical tug-of-war with the vehicle's electronic power steering. The automated systems actively override conscious human defensive driving maneuvers. Had I not possessed advanced driving knowledge and rapid reflexes, this technology would have forced me directly under a commercial truck. By preventing drivers from permanently disabling these intrusive features, federal rules have created a driving environment filled with extreme psychological stress, physical fatigue…

1. Passenger airbag fails to activate randomly. Passenger airbag light shows "off" with a passenger in the seat. Sometimes it works but often stays off for a whole day. 2. Transmission shifts gears by itself. Drive to neutral, Reverse to park. A software update changed the behavior but did not eliminate the fault. Now goes from Drive to Park. One time the vehicle shut off by itself after shifting from Drive to Park. It has been to the dealer 3 times for these problems, now scheduled for a fourth time. They keep saying they can't find the fault.

The engine continues to have a burning smell or rotten egg smell at high speeds, the car continues to hesitate when taking off from a red light like it is going to shut off and then jumps forward, and the engine continues to lag as does the battery or power when turning on the vehicle most mornings. I have brought the car in several times to the dealership and due to there being no codes showing, they will not diagnose it further and as soon as I get the vehicle back, the same issues and problems happen over and over again. I have had 4 service appointments now with no resolutions. I feel as though this car is a lemon and worry that it will continue to become more unsafe from ongoing engine, powertrain, and mechanical issues that cannot be fixed or diagnosed.

Several spots on the body are misaligned which could indicate underlying assembly issues down to the frame which could impact crumple zones and safety.

While driving, the hood of my vehicle flew up and broke my windshield and caused damage to body by the hood hinge on both sides. There were no warning lamps or signals that warned me that the hood was loose. I had limited visual to pull over and close the hood. Fortunately I was going slow and there were not other vehicles that were impacted. Because the hood is opened inside with the double pull mechanism it is too easy to open the hood without the secondary safety hook outside like most vehicles have. I have had the windshield replaced and am working with insurance to complete repairs on the body.

I am requesting a serious investigation into potentially life-threatening steering, braking, and stability-control interventions in modern vehicles. I have experienced unexpected steering forces, directional changes, shaking, and behavior consistent with unintended wheel-specific braking across multiple vehicles, including my 2019 Toyota Prius and rental vehicles from several manufacturers. These behaviors occur on ordinary roads with uneven asphalt, pavement seams, manhole covers, and cross-slopes. I am concerned that electronic steering, stability control, wheel-speed sensors, or driver-assistance systems may be interacting incorrectly. How can these features be considered safe if their interventions can push a vehicle toward another traffic lane or into a bicycle lane? The risk is especially serious during freeway lane changes, when drivers must simultaneously monitor traffic ahead, approaching vehicles behind, blind spots, and available space. An unexpected steering or braking intervention at that moment can create a dangerous loss of control. I am also concerned that drivers may lack a meaningful way to disable certain interventions, even when they believe the systems are creating danger. I previously submitted complaint 11669864 and was informed that more complaints might be necessary before an investigation could begin. A potentially life-threatening defect should not be dismissed simply because insufficient reports have accumulated. I request that NHTSA review my existing complaint, assess whether unintended steering or braking interventions can cause dangerous directional changes, examine driver override limitations, and determine whether a broader investigation is warranted. I consider these behaviors potentially LIFE-THREATENING. A feature’s intended safety purpose does not guarantee that its interventions are safe. Drivers, passengers, and nearby motorists and cyclists not be exposed to avoidable hazards from systems intended to protect them.

Turn Signal is barely audible when turning. If the radio is on, or at higher speeds on the highway, it is impossible to hear the turn signal. Sometimes, you may miss hit the turn signal when changing lanes, and may not actual signal, when you meant to.

The engine continues to have a burning smell or rotten egg smell at high speeds, the car continues to hesitate when taking off from a red light like it is going to shut off and then jumps forward, and the engine continues to lag as does the battery or power when turning on the vehicle most mornings. I have brought the car in several times to the dealership and due to there being no codes showing, they will not diagnose it further and as soon as I get the vehicle back, the same issues and problems happen over and over again. I have had 4 service appointments now with no resolutions. I feel as though this car is a lemon and worry that it will continue to become more unsafe from ongoing engine, powertrain, and mechanical issues that cannot be fixed or diagnosed.

Electrical/Motor~ Yes, Myself, [XXX] daughter and others safety is at risk from stalling in a busy intersection. yes, its happened multiple times. The dealerships says its not throwing a code and have nothing to go off of. No, the manufacturer hasnt checked it. the RPM went up and down. No other lights on the dash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving, the hood of my vehicle flew up and broke my windshield and caused damage to body by the hood hinge on both sides. There were no warning lamps or signals that warned me that the hood was loose. I had limited visual to pull over and close the hood. Fortunately I was going slow and there were not other vehicles that were impacted. Because the hood is opened inside with the double pull mechanism it is too easy to open the hood without the secondary safety hook outside like most vehicles have. I have had the windshield replaced and am working with insurance to complete repairs on the body.

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up unexpectedly. Additionally, more effort was needed to depress the brake pedal, causing the braking distance to become extended. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V122000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

The audible sound to let the driver know the blinker is on is too low of a volume to hear. This has created situations where the blinkers are activated, but the driver doesn't know. This could lead to accidents in lane changing, intersections and confusion for pedestrians.

1. Passenger airbag fails to activate randomly. Passenger airbag light shows "off" with a passenger in the seat. Sometimes it works but often stays off for a whole day. 2. Transmission shifts gears by itself. Drive to neutral, Reverse to park. A software update changed the behavior but did not eliminate the fault. Now goes from Drive to Park. One time the vehicle shut off by itself after shifting from Drive to Park. It has been to the dealer 3 times for these problems, now scheduled for a fourth time. They keep saying they can't find the fault.