# Ford Escape traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 57 - **Most complaints:** 2020 (25) - **Related recalls:** 7 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 57 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Ford Escape (2015-2026 models), most for the **2020** model year (25). There are **7 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. ## Ford Escape traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 9 | 1135 | 1% | | 2016 | 9 | 1180 | 1% | | 2017 | 4 | 2701 | 0% | | 2018 | 5 | 1823 | 0% | | 2019 | 2 | 599 | 0% | | 2020 | 25 | 1839 | 1% | | 2021 | 1 | 375 | 0% | | 2022 | 1 | 388 | 0% | | 2023 | 1 | 139 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Ford Escape recalls related to the traction control light **[26V091000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V091000)** (2022-2026 models, reported 2026-02-18): Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters... **[25V789000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V789000)** (2020-2024 models, reported 2025-11-14): Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed... **[25V787000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V787000)** (2025 models, reported 2025-11-14): Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. **[24V954000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V954000)** (2020-2024 models, reported 2024-12-20): Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. **[22V331000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V331000)** (2020 models, reported 2022-05-13): A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on July 12, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2022. **[22V149000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V149000)** (2021-2022 models, reported 2022-03-11): A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. **[21V869000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V869000)** (2021 models, reported 2021-11-10): A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** A dealer will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. The owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2021. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Ford Escape owners report - "The contact stated many of the safety features such as the blind spot warning, Electronic Stability Control, and other unknown warnings were illuminated and indicated that the features were disabled. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was no failure..." -- owner of a 2023 Ford Escape, complaint filed 2024 - "While going on the highway it braked hard and displayed service stabilitrak light with traction control light flashing went away after 10 seconds. Then I pulled into my driveway and it snapped the wheel out of my hand forcefully almost breaking my wrist and wouldn't let me turn right. Towed it to ford where they..." -- owner of a 2022 Ford Escape, complaint filed 2025 - "The failure disables safety systems (ABS/Traction Control), and the design requires a 800 partial teardown of the drivetrain to fix a basic sensor. This is a design defect that prevents safety-critical repairs." -- owner of a 2021 Ford Escape, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the traction control light means A flashing traction control light is normal: it means the system is cutting power or braking a wheel to stop it from spinning on a slippery surface. A light that stays on means traction or stability control is turned off or has a fault, often a wheel speed sensor that also triggers the ABS light. The car drives normally, but it is easier to skid. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **System switched off** (common) 2. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (common) 3. **Engine fault disabling the system** (common) 4. **Steering angle sensor needs calibration** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Traction control light](/warning-lights/traction-control). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ford Escape traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 7 related recalls (26V091000, 25V789000, 25V787000, 24V954000, 22V331000, 22V149000, 21V869000) covering 2020-2026 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Ford Escape years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2020 Escape model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 25 for 2020. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ford Escape with the traction control light on? Drive to a shop this week. Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. Slow down in rain, snow or ice, and get it checked soon if the ABS or red brake light is also on. ### How do I check if my Ford Escape has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ford Escape warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ford-escape): 23 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-escape): 27 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ford-escape): 59 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-escape): 2245 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-escape): 1520 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/ford-escape): 19 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-escape): 178 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/ford-escape): 36 complaints ## Traction control light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ram-1500): 372 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-silverado): 337 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-wrangler): 247 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/gmc-sierra): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-traverse): 133 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-grand-cherokee): 132 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-colorado): 128 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-malibu): 110 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-cherokee): 92 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints ## Ford Escape - [Ford Escape specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ford-escape) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-escape Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.