Skip to Main Content
Mattresses Tires Dishwashers SUVs Sunscreens Mattresses
AskCR Try AskCR

Suggested Searches

Recent Searches

Suggested Searches

Product Ratings

Resources

Chat With AskCR

Resources

All Products A-Z
Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate
Join Now Upgrade Donate
2023
New 2026
Used 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020

Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

EPA Range: 37 miles
EPA MPG: 40 mpg
View of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Default view of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2023 Escape Plug-in Hybrid is much less reliable than other cars from the same model year.

Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2023 Potential Trouble Spots

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

EV Battery

Electric/hybrid battery pack failure, replacement or malfunction, or cooling.

What Owners Say

Electric/hybrid battery pack malfunction (didn't need replacement)

"GPS electronics unit was not being disabled and caused accelerated voltage drain on the hybrid battery when not being charged. It took the dealer over 10 days to resolve the issue as they did not have expertise on site. The car had to be basically rebooted at several levels to clear the error are reset the controls."

Anonymous, (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Battery charging recall. Cant charge batteries until resolved"

Anonymous, (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

""Recall because of risk of fire if the electric battery is charged using the charging cable- a full charge increases the risk of fire. There is still no fix for this issue, and we have been unable to charge the battery for over 6 months.""

Anonymous, ON (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Other electric/hybrid battery problem

""Ford issued a letter in January 2025 instructing owners of the Escape Plug In Hybrid to cease plugging in their vehicles due to the potential for battery shorts that could cause venting and fire. The letter stated there was no fix for the issue at that time but one was expected "sometime in the second quarter". It is now almost June and I've received no correspondence from Ford on a resolution. European owners of the Escape were offered a gas card to compensate them for increased gasoline usage during the time they waited and their batteries were replaced. No such program offered in the USA and I still can't use the plug in hybrid. I paid a premium for this vehicle, waited 8 months for delivery and have had a steady stream of issues in the year and a half I've owned it. I usually keep my vehicles for at least 200,000 miles and none of my prior vehicles had as many issues over their life than this Escape had in the year and a half I've owned this Ford PHEV Escape. The final icing on the cake is the car has depreciated to half its purchase price in less than 2 years due to all the issues.""

Anonymous, PA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Load more

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

Display screen goes blank

"Sometimes it just goes blank. Sometimes it doesn't engage at start-up."

Anonymous, SC (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Heads-up display

""The Heads Up Display includes a "This Trip" feature, which shows, for the current trip (between engine on and engine off)how many miles have been driven in total, and how many miles using electricity. For more than a year now this feature has intermittently malfunctioned. It will correctly display the time driven since the vehicle was started, then show zeros for miles driven, and miles using electricity. I plan to take the car into Mallow Ford in Annandale VA for repair. I anticipate this will be a difficult back-and-forth with the dealtership, because as said, the problem is intermittent.""

Anonymous A., VA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"Actually can't use it because I refuse to sign up for Ford PASS. I believe Ford sells my data."

Anonymous, SC (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Over-the-air software update failed

""Over the air updates have not been successful over the last 6-8 months, resulting in no function or reduced function for some on-screen climate controls, as well as occasional error screens when the vehicle is shutting off/turning on.""

Anonymous, ON (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Load more

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

12V battery

""12V battery died and was replaced under warranty. When the battery died, I had to have the car towed to the dealership. Ford gave me 3 years/36,000 miles free maintenance (oil changes, oil filter, tire rotation) to compensate for my inconvenience.""

Anonymous, MI (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

""Within the first year of ownership, the cabin lights behaved erratically. Sometimes the dome light would come on when the door opened; sometimes it would not. The same when closing the door - sometimes the dome light went off and, even after a long time, sometimes it did not. I took the car back to Malloy Ford in Annandale, who fixed it, saying there was a problem with the 12V battery.""

Anonymous A., VA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Keyless entry

""It was a set up problem, but Ford service told me it wasn't available on my model. I fixed it myself""

Anonymous, WA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Lots of little squeaks. Console. Seattle belt height adjuster. Passenger door panel."

Anonymous, WA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Hatch latch had to be replaced."

Anonymous, WA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

""The car battery dies 3 times (not the cars hybrid battery). The car goes into deep sleep mode when the battery has low voltage, not holding a charge. 3 times it has inconvenience us when Ford appears to not have a fix for this.""

Anonymous, NY (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid ST-Line 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

"Recall has stopped charging the plug in Battery. March to June or July? Pending software fix. Driving as a regular Hybrid for now."

Anonymous A., CT (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

Other climate system problem

""Six months after owning the car, I started smelling something foul in the cabin. The first thing I checked was the cabin air filter where I noticed a mouse built a nest on top of the cabin air filter. There was the nest and feces on top of the filter where all the air I was breathing in the car filtered through. I researched this and discovered I wasn't alone with this problem. The prior model Escape PHEV had the same issue and eventually Ford issued a TSB and a fix consisting of a screened gasket to prevent rodent access to the ductwork. I took the car to the dealer and asked them to fix it and found out the fix used in the prior model was not applicable to the new PHEV model and there was nothing they could do other than put a new filter into the car. A month later I had another nest and took the car back to the dealer and insisted they fix it. They reluctantly agreed to install a "not Ford approved" screen over the ductwork entrance which solved the problem. It shocks me that Ford Engineers did not learn from mistakes in the past and preemptively include a rodent screen in the new model design.""

Anonymous, PA (2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Base 2.5-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

EV Charging

Won't charge at home; won't work with some public chargers; won't fully charge; charge connection; charge port door.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

2023 SUVs Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

See How Other Brands Stack up
Reliability History
* Redesign year
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20*
21
22
23
24
25
Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Electric Motor
EV Battery
EV Charging
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes, to power equipment and the electrical accessories.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Change Vehicle