2025 Ford Escape PHEV Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
40/100
#4 most-complained of 6 Escape PHEV years
The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV has a complaint index of 40, ranking 4th worst among 6 model years. It has 4 complaints, 1 recall, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported to NHTSA.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2025 Ford Escape PHEV problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (75%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
What owners report
- Owners report multiple warning messages including High Voltage Battery Warning, Powertrain Malfunction, and Service Engine Soon appearing while the vehicle was charging.
- Some owners waited for recall repair parts related to the electrical system recall to become available, with the dealer unable to complete the fix.
- Digits on the speedometer and on the high voltage battery discharge/charging gauge stopped displaying on the electronic dashboard, raising concern that warning lights may not work either.
- One owner reported the cruise control independently activated while driving, requiring the brake pedal to be depressed and the vehicle to be turned off and reset.
2025 Ford Escape PHEV recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V091000Feb 17, 2026Electrical System25,237 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
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.
Remedy: 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.
2025 compared with other Escape PHEV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Ford Escape PHEV reliable?
- NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 1 recall for the 2025 Ford Escape PHEV, giving it a complaint index of 40, which ranks 4th worst out of 6 model years of the Escape with data. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths have been reported.
- What is the main problem with the 2025 Ford Escape PHEV?
- Electrical System issues make up 75% of complaints, including high voltage battery warnings and dashboard display failures. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues account for the remaining 25%.
- Does the 2025 Ford Escape PHEV have a recall?
- Yes, recall 26V091000 covers a manufacturing defect in the high voltage battery cells on 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair PHEVs. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall, and the remedy updates the BECM and HPCM software.
- How does the 2025 Escape PHEV compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 40 is better than 2021 (80), 2022 (100), and 2023 (60), but worse than 2024 (20) and 2020 (0). The 2021 and 2022 model years carry an Avoid verdict, while 2024 is rated Best.