2025 Ford Escape PHEV Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2025 Ford Escape PHEV has a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest of the six model years with data, with 4 complaints and 1 recall covering a high-voltage battery cell defect. It ranks 5th worst out of the years listed, well below 2022's index of 100.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #5 of 6 Escape PHEV years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 4
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2025 Ford Escape PHEV problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (75%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report high-voltage battery warnings appearing alongside powertrain malfunction and service engine alerts while charging.
- Some owners were notified of the electrical system recall but reported the dealer had no repair part available for an extended period.
- The digital speedometer and the battery charge/discharge gauge stopped displaying digits, raising concern about missing warning lights.
- One owner reported cruise control activating on its own while driving, requiring the brake to be applied and the vehicle restarted.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Escape PHEV has a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among the six model years with data, with only 4 complaints reported.
- What problems does the 2025 Ford Escape PHEV have?
- NHTSA lists mostly electrical system complaints, 3 of the 4 total, involving high-voltage battery warnings and dashboard display failures, plus 1 complaint about collision avoidance/camera systems.
- Does the 2025 Ford Escape PHEV have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (26V091000) covers a manufacturing defect in high-voltage battery cells; Ford will update the battery energy control module and hybrid powertrain control module software.
- How does the 2025 Escape PHEV compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 20 ranks 5th worst out of six years with data, far better than 2022 (index 100, Avoid) and 2021 (index 80, Avoid), but slightly above 2020's index of 0.