2023-2025 Ford Escape Engine Recall (25V372)
Ford Motor Company · 404 vehicles · Reported June 3, 2025
Ford Motor Company is recalling 404 2025 Ford Bronco Sport; 2023-2025 Ford Escape vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak. An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V372 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V372000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 25S61 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 3, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2025 Ford Bronco Sport; 2023-2025 Ford Escape |
| Units affected | 404 |
| Component | Engine |
| Safety risk | An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023-2025 Ford Escape in recall 25V372?
The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Is it safe to drive a 2023-2025 Escape with recall 25V372?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
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 engine, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V372?
Recall 25V372 covers 404 vehicles: 2025 Ford Bronco Sport; 2023-2025 Ford Escape.
NHTSA lists 404 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ford | Bronco Sport |
| 2023-2025 | Ford | Escape |
What is the fix for the Escape engine recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.
When was recall 25V372 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V372 to NHTSA on June 3, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 8, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 3, 2025 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V372000. |
| August 8, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
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 25V372?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V372 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V372000 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 25S61. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Escape owners do about recall 25V372?
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 25V372000 applies to your Escape.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any engine 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 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 237 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 62 of them about the engine.
Since recall 25V372 was reported on June 3, 2025, owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on these vehicles. 13 of them (35%) 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 engine and were received on or after June 3, 2025, 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 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related engine issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 237 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 62 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.
- 2023 Ford Escape: 99 complaints in total, 30 about the engine
- 2024 Ford Escape: 76 complaints in total, 14 about the engine
- 2025 Ford Bronco Sport: 38 complaints in total, 9 about the engine
- 2025 Ford Escape: 24 complaints in total, 9 about the engine
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed.
2024 Ford Escape owner, NE, NHTSA complaint 11637470, filed January 21, 2025
Check engine light came on. Vehicle has around 5000 miles on it. My app told me it at misfire was detected. We took it to the dealer ship. All they said is ford is aware of this issue.
2024 Ford Escape owner, IA, NHTSA complaint 11640176, filed February 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated without an object or vehicle being nearby. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle.
2024 Ford Escape owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11646264, filed March 4, 2025
Can recall 25V372 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.
Recall 25V372000 does not automatically make your Escape a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
An engine problem that leaves you stranded, or that keeps lighting up the check engine light after a repair, is the kind of defect that can substantially impair a vehicle's use, value or safety.
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, 25V345000.
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.
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.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
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 25V372
Did the recall 25V372 fix work?
Since recall 25V372 was reported on June 3, 2025, owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on these vehicles. 13 of them (35%) 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 August 8, 2025.
Is the 25V372000 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 25V372000?
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 25V372000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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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.