The Ford Escape is a compact family crossover made by Ford since the year 2000. The very latest Escape model is designed in conjunction with Mazda which means that it shares many of its parts with the Mazda Tribute and the Mazda Mariner. The Escape is now in its fourth generation and is a fairly popular car with many families around the US.
The Ford Escape comes with a few different engine configurations and the one we will talk about now is the hybrid engine option. When it comes to reliability, the Escape hybrid seems to be fairly decent, but there are some issues worth talking about. The car was also part of a few recalls when the last generation came out, but current cars are much better.
The most common Ford Escape hybrid issues are associated with the brakes, the power steering system, and engine cooling. We also need to mention issues with the high-voltage batteries which can result in a sudden loss of engine power. Finally, we also need to mention issues with the crankshaft as this was the issue that prompted Ford to recall a bunch of Escape hybrid models.
All in all, the Escape hybrid is a decent car, but you need to maintain it if you want it to last. Hybrids are really complex which means that there are many things that can go wrong. However, if you do your best, you should be able to enjoy the car for a long time.
Ford Escape Hybrid – Issues with the brakes
Brake-related issues seem to be the most common issues reported for the Escape hybrid. Many owners complain about the car prompting “Service Brake System” warning lights accompanied with “ABS” warnings. There can be many reasons why these issues take place, so be sure to take your car to a dealer in order to fix it.
According to a Ford specialist, the fix is likely to replace the brake vacuum pump, the brake master cylinder, or the ABS module. However, it’s not always 100% sure that these will fix your issues, especially if you own a car with more miles on the clock. No matter what you decide to do, a thorough dealer check should be in order.
Ford Escape Hybrid – Power steering system issues
A car’s steering system is one of the most important components. Without a fully functioning power steering system, there is a great deal of chance that you will not be 100% able to control the car. This is obviously a massive issue and one that should be dealt with immediately. The Ford Escape also seems to be suffering from power steering issues as well.
Many owners have complained about the car becoming really difficult to turn due to the power assistance simply ceasing to exist. Restarting the vehicle can solve the issue in the short run, but a power steering failure is known to happen again. The power steering sensor, the steering module, or an entire steering rack should be replaced.
Ford Escape Hybrid – Engine cooling issues
The engine system in the Escape Hybrid is really complex as it comes with both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. These can fail due to a variety of reasons, but most of them are related to faulty sensors. As such, many owners have reported sudden loss of power accompanied by a “Stop Safely Now” warning light on the dashboard.
It seems like this issue is caused by an overheating electrical system and an overheating battery. If your car goes into limp mode, chances are that this is what caused it. All in all, you should stop immediately as you definitely don’t want to drive a car with an overheating high-voltage battery.
Ford Escape Hybrid – Battery issue
According to a few reputable online sources, the high-voltage battery found in the Ford Escape Hybrid is also known to fail and cause the car to suddenly lose power. Ford even recalled a bunch of Escape Hybrid models because of this as this can end up causing an accident.
This issue can also be seen in the Ford Corsair hybrid which uses the exact same hybrid system as the one found in the Ford Escape.
Ford Escape – Crankshaft issues
One of the very latest Ford recalls is caused by a crankshaft issue that might have been improperly fastened. An NHTSA report states that this can cause lots of engine damage which can even result in an engine fire. According to the report, around 100-200 examples have been recalled up to this point.
The issue is so severe that Ford even promised to replace the entire engine if they come across this issue on your Escape model.
FAQ Section
Is the Ford Escape a good car?
The Ford Escape is indeed a really good car because it resides in one of the most popular, if not the most popular market segment out there. The Escape is now also a really good-looking car which wasn’t necessarily the case with previous Ford Escape models.
All in all, if you are interested in a compact crossover hybrid that is not going to break your bank, the Ford Escape might just be the perfect car for you.
How do you charge the battery in the Ford Escape Hybrid?
The Ford Escape hybrid is a conventional hybrid which means that it can’t be plugged in. In order to charge the Escape’s battery, you ought to let the car run for 10-15 minutes idling, then drive it around for 10-15 minutes.
This should be enough to charge the battery. Ford also offers a plug-in version of the Escape Hybrid which can be charged as with any other electric car. Simply plug it into a wall and let it charge until it is ready.
Can the Ford Escape Hybrid run in EV-mode only?
The Ford Escape hybrid is not designed to run in solo EV mode which means that it only runs in EV mode while at a stoplight or while you are slowly driving through a drive-through. The plug-in version of the Ford Escape on the other hand can be driven in EV mode only.
