FordEscape2023Overview/ford/escape/2023/base/

2023 Ford Escape

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Escape.

The 2023 Ford Escape, part of a nameplate spanning model years 2000 to 2024, arrives with 94 owner complaints and 11 recalls, the electrical system being the most frequently cited area. This complaint count places the 2023 model far from the line’s historical extremes—the 2000 model year recorded just 5 complaints, while the 2013 peaked at 2,743. For researchers, the 2023 Escape’s reliability data suggests a moderate position within the model’s long-term complaint history.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase106.7 in
Curb weight3419 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Escape of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2023 ST-Line Elite
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023ST-Line Elite 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.40 sec250 hpAWD
2023ST-Line Elite 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.10 sec250 hpAWD
2023Plug-In Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 14.4-kWh7.70 sec16.00 sec210 hpFWD
2023Plug-In Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 14.4-kWh7.80 sec16.00 sec210 hpFWD
2023Plug-In Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 14.4-kWh7.80 sec15.90 sec210 hpFWD
2023Hybrid ST Line Elite 2.5L I-4 + Elec8.10 sec16.20 sec192 hpAWD
2021Titanium Plug-In Hybrid 2.5L I-47.70 sec16.00 sec221 hpFWD
2021Titanium Plug-In Hybrid 2.5L I-47.70 sec16.00 sec221 hpFWD

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape recorded 94 complaints, 11 recalls, and zero investigations—representing a substantial improvement from 2022's 222 complaints, 19 recalls, and 2 investigations, and continuing a downward trajectory through 2024's 74 complaints and 8 recalls. Across the generation's federal record, complaint volumes peaked dramatically in 2013 (2,743 complaints), 2017 (2,627), and 2008 (2,415), with the 2013 and 2020 model years also triggering the highest recall counts at 18 and 23 respectively. The 2023 Escape's complaint profile shows Electrical System issues leading at 17 filings, followed by Power Train and Engine each at 11, with 2 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints on record. Technical Service Bulletins reached 179 for 2023, down from 201 in 2021 and 152 in 2022, indicating active but not unprecedented manufacturer support. The 2023 model sits at a clear inflection point on a multi-decade declining complaint trend, though it remains early in its service life with meaningful recall activity still ongoing. This data suggests the 2023 Escape is among the better-resolved model years within this generation, though buyers should verify Electrical System and Powertrain coverage remain active given those documented complaint concentrations.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
179
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
94
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 94 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System17
Power Train11
Engine11
Electrical System,Engine4
Unknown Or Other4
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Service Brakes3
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V859000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemReported 18/11/2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing…

23V380000EngineReported 26/05/2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor… Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 179 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-22972026-06-24Electrical SystemSome of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may…
SSM 549392026-06-16Power TrainSome 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles…
SSM 549182026-06-11SteeringSome of the following vehicles: 2025-2026 Mustang Mach-E vehicles built on or before…
25B332026-06-01EngineCertain 2023-2025 Model Year Escape and Corsair, 2024-2025 Model Year Nautilus, 2025-2026…
ACM-26.S Escape2026-05-29Electrical SystemQuality improvements include: -Addresses a potential communication condition that may…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Escape. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2023 Escape have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.