2023-2024 Ford Escape Adaptive Cruise Control Recall (24V440)
Ford Motor Company · 209 vehicles · Reported June 14, 2024
Ford Motor Company is recalling 209 2023-2024 Ford Escape vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 24V440 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V440000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 24S39 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 14, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2023-2024 Ford Escape |
| Units affected | 209 |
| Build dates | April 19, 2023 to November 9, 2023 |
| Component | Forward Collision Avoidance > Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Safety risk | Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023-2024 Ford Escape in recall 24V440?
The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Escape two-wheel drive vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Is it safe to drive a 2023-2024 Escape with recall 24V440?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Misalignment of the radar module can result in the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) misclassifying an overhead object as an object in the vehicle's path, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow and/or stop. Other safety systems that depend on the radar model (Pre-Collision Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Auto Emergency Braking) could have diminished or lost function. These conditions 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 adaptive cruise control, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 24V440?
Recall 24V440 covers 209 vehicles: 2023-2024 Ford Escape.
NHTSA lists 209 vehicles in this campaign, built April 19, 2023 to November 9, 2023. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | Ford | Escape |
What is the fix for the Escape adaptive cruise control recall?
Yes. Dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module, free of charge.
Dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S39.
When was recall 24V440 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 24V440 to NHTSA on June 14, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as July 3, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 19, 2023 | First affected vehicle built (per Ford Motor Company's filing). |
| November 9, 2023 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| June 14, 2024 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V440000. |
| July 3, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 27 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 204 days. 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 24V440?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V440 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 2023-2024 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 24V440?
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 24V440000 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.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the adaptive cruise control happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- 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 175 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 17 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 24V440 was reported on June 14, 2024, owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 1 of them (8%) 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 driver assistance and were received on or after June 14, 2024, 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 driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 175 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 17 of them involve the driver assistance. 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, 11 about the driver assistance
- 2024 Ford Escape: 76 complaints in total, 6 about the driver assistance
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's door window would not completely roll up and close. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the front driver's side door window motor, and the vehicle was repaired but failure reoccurred.
2023 Ford Escape owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11639692, filed January 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the Adaptive Cruise Control Mode engaged, the vehicle failed to respond as needed after another vehicle pulled in front of the vehicle.
2023 Ford Escape owner, DC, NHTSA complaint 11669387, filed June 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control set to 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 65 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired.
2023 Ford Escape owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11580041, filed March 29, 2024
Can recall 24V440 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 adaptive cruise control 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)).
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023-2024 Ford Escape has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have 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 24V440
Did the recall 24V440 fix work?
Since recall 24V440 was reported on June 14, 2024, owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 1 of them (8%) 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed July 3, 2024.
Is the 24V440000 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 24V440000?
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.
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 24V440000 (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.