2021-2023 Ford Escape Engine Recall (25V345)

Recall 25V345 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Ford Escape in recall 25V345?

5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Escape with recall 25V345?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the engine.

Which vehicles are included in recall 25V345?

Recall 25V345 covers 1,809 vehicles: 2021-2023 Ford Escape; 2022-2023 Ford Maverick; 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair.

NHTSA lists 1,809 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Escape engine recall?

Yes. Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.

When was recall 25V345 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V345 to NHTSA on May 23, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 27, 2025.

This recall was filed 16 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 25V345?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V345 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 25V345000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Escape owners do about recall 25V345?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V345000 applies to your Escape.
2. Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. 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.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the engine happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are Escape owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 993 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 146 of them about the engine.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 993 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 146 of them involve the engine. 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.

• 2021 Ford Escape: 348 complaints in total, 47 about the engine
• 2022 Ford Escape: 232 complaints in total, 36 about the engine
• 2022 Ford Maverick: 150 complaints in total, 16 about the engine
• 2023 Ford Escape: 99 complaints in total, 30 about the engine
• 2023 Ford Maverick: 81 complaints in total, 7 about the engine
• 2022 Lincoln Corsair: 35 complaints in total, 4 about the engine
• 2021 Lincoln Corsair: 34 complaints in total, 5 about the engine
• 2023 Lincoln Corsair: 14 complaints in total, 1 about the engine

Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):

The contact’s father owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the electrical components in the vehicle were on; however, the engine was off. There was no warning light illuminated.

2022 Ford Maverick owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11642369, filed February 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while her husband was driving at approximately 35 MPH approaching a light with the Auto STOP/START feature engaged, the vehicle shut off. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact replaced the battery.

2022 Ford Maverick owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11647811, filed March 12, 2025

2022 Ford Maverick had water build up under the front passenger seat floor. I'm at 3.5 years of ownership and the dealer is telling me it will cost $1100 to fix because of an improperly installed windshield and cowl issue which ruined the internal filter and air circulation motor.

2022 Ford Maverick owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11654046, filed April 11, 2025

Can recall 25V345 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.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Engine defects can mean stalling, loss of power, oil consumption or overheating. When the same engine complaint brings the 2021-2023 Ford Escape back to the dealer more than once, that history matters under California's lemon law.

This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 23V380000.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 25V345