2023 Ford Escape Instrument Cluster Recall (23V506)
Ford Motor Company · 38,695 vehicles · Reported July 21, 2023
Ford Motor Company is recalling 38,695 2023 Ford Escape; 2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2023 Ford F-450 SD vehicles. The module may have been improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays." An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V506 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V506000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 23C25 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | July 21, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2023 Ford Escape; 2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2023 Ford F-450 SD |
| Units affected | 38,695 |
| Component | Electrical System > Instrument Cluster / Panel |
| Safety risk | An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 Ford Escape in recall 23V506?
The module may have been improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Escape, Super Duty F-250, Super Duty F-350, Super Duty F-450, and Super Duty F-550 vehicles equipped with a digital instrument panel cluster. The module may have been improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Is it safe to drive a 2023 Escape with recall 23V506?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Escape shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the instrument cluster and panel, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V506?
Recall 23V506 covers 38,695 vehicles: 2023 Ford Escape; 2023 Ford F-250 SD; 2023 Ford F-350 SD; 2023 Ford F-450 SD.
NHTSA lists 38,695 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ford | Escape |
| 2023 | Ford | F-250 SD |
| 2023 | Ford | F-350 SD |
| 2023 | Ford | F-450 SD |
What is the fix for the Escape instrument cluster recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C25.
When was recall 23V506 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V506 to NHTSA on July 21, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| July 21, 2023 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V506000. |
| November 4, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 38 months ago. If your Escape was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Escape is part of recall 23V506?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V506 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 Escape vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Escape owners do about recall 23V506?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V506000 applies to your Escape.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any instrument cluster and panel symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Escape owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 64 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 23V506 was reported on July 21, 2023, owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 10 of them (16%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the electrical system and were received on or after July 21, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 188 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 64 of them involve the electrical system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Ford Escape: 99 complaints in total, 39 about the electrical system
- 2023 Ford F-250 SD: 43 complaints in total, 12 about the electrical system
- 2023 Ford F-350 SD: 41 complaints in total, 12 about the electrical system
- 2023 Ford F-450 SD: 5 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The audio system “glitched” and all of the speakers started screeching at maximum volume. I was unable to get this to stop outside of turning the vehicle off. It is so loud my ear were ringing for hours. This is loud enough it could definitely cause someone to wreck and impairs driving ability.
2023 Ford F-350 SD owner, WI, NHTSA complaint 11641894, filed February 11, 2025
Multiple electrical issues related to dashboard controls, video sensors, head unit. Controls powering down while driving, sensors throwing multiple error messages. All since 1,500 miles. Ford could not figure out what the issue was so they replaced the wiring harness. After 2 months in the shop I got my vehicle back.
2023 Ford F-350 SD owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11647774, filed March 11, 2025
All cameras went out on the F350 with a blue screen there’s a recall on this but my truck is not included and needs to be expanded.
2023 Ford F-350 SD owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11725098, filed March 17, 2026
Can recall 23V506 make my Escape a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this instrument cluster and panel recall means their Escape qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Intermittent electrical problems are a frequent source of repeat repair visits: the dealer cannot reproduce the fault, the owner brings the 2023 Ford Escape back, and the problem shows up again.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023 Ford Escape has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Escape went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Escape been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Escape recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V506
Did the recall 23V506 fix work?
Since recall 23V506 was reported on July 21, 2023, owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 10 of them (16%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 23V506000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Escape is part of recall 23V506000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V506000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.