Ford Escape Hybrid Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Escape Hybrid across 13 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (43). The words owners use most often: “stop safely” (19% of reports).
- 159power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 49%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Stop safely: mentioned in 31 of 159 complaints (19%)
- Throttle body: mentioned in 22 of 159 complaints (14%)
- Few minutes: mentioned in 9 of 159 complaints (6%)
- Red triangle: mentioned in 8 of 159 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 112 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 159 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.
Ford Escape Hybrid power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Escape Hybrid | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2022 Escape Hybrid | 5 | 7% | 15,000 |
| 2021 Escape Hybrid | 14 | 11% | 50,000 |
| 2020 Escape Hybrid | 30 | 10% | 11,600 |
| 2013 Escape Hybrid | 1 | 20% | 94,355 |
| 2012 Escape Hybrid | 1 | 7% | 145 |
| 2011 Escape Hybrid | 5 | 14% | 62,000 |
| 2010 Escape Hybrid | 5 | 8% | 43,130 |
| 2009 Escape Hybrid | 15 | 10% | 72,715 |
| 2008 Escape Hybrid | 43 | 10% | 76,102 |
| 2007 Escape Hybrid | 13 | 10% | 70,388 |
| 2006 Escape Hybrid | 18 | 8% | 116,000 |
| 2005 Escape Hybrid | 8 | 4% | 92,040 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid and 2020 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 15, 2026. This is an expansion of Recalls 24V330 (24S33) and 25V133 (25S16).
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
within the first minute of engine start there is a high-voltage buzzing sound following with a minor smoke smell coming either from the engine bay or back of the car. You could hear this sound from outside, especially my neighbors witnessed the sound from the sidewalk. when it happens it suddenly…
"While driving my 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid, the vehicle suffered an abrupt powertrain failure. A wrench icon and check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle immediately dropped into a low-speed mode that severely limited my throttle control on the road. I was unable to drive…
On Saturday at approximately 8:25 p.m., my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL abruptly entered limp mode while traveling on a major highway. The vehicle's speed rapidly dropped from approximately 60-65mph to 20 mph in heavy, high-speed (many driving over 70mph)traffic. I immediately activated my hazard…
When the outside temperature gets over 95F, the rotary gear shifter locks up in Park and will not let you shift into Drive. Multiple restarts over 30 minutes with the A/C center console pointed down to cool off the rotary shifter dial. This really is annoying. Twice I was late for appointments. I…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and was later towed to the local dealer. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escape Hybrids have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 159 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Escape Hybrid. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape Hybrid power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Escape Hybrid?
The most frequent phrase is “stop safely”, in 31 of 159 complaints, followed by “throttle body” (22).
Other Ford Escape Hybrid problems
- Engine problems (345)
- Service Brakes problems (321)
- Steering problems (276)
- Electrical System problems (240)
- Structure problems (186)
See all Ford Escape Hybrid problems.