2023 Ford Escape St-Line owner review

Have you experienced any reliability issues with your vehicle since you purchased it?

No.

Have you had to make any warranty claims?

Yes.

Only real issue I've had with the warranty is a rattle inside the driver's side pillar. They found it to be a clip inside broken and had to be replaced. It took four goes to get it fixed. The rattle isn't overly loud and luckily only rattled on the highway.

Problem is I drive on the highway heaps, and the rattle is right in my eye. Ha ha. Luckily, they were able to hear it and see the problem, but the repeated repairs were not good.

Also, due to them removing the driver's seat to repair this, the seat base now moves, and the dealer has found the problem but could not be repaired, so they are ordering a new piece.

I found my brakes shuddering, but they were machined under warranty.

Has your vehicle been serviced at least once since you took ownership?

Yes.

Oh man, don't get me started – the story on this is longer than I think this box will allow. So let me summarise:

The dealer I purchased from didn't honour a lot of agreements during purchase, and the rudeness and attitude from the service team were enough for me to walk out and not return. No repeat purchasing will happen (yes, two vehicles are enough). The salesman was the owner's son, so no consequences, it appears.

My local Ford dealer was okayish for my free 1500km service, but sadly when I went to book in for 15000km service, they were booked out for three months – oh yes, that long. So I had other book at a dealer one hour's drive away.

The other dealer found the local dealer broke a part in the car, and it took four times to repair, which meant driving five hours round trip for each of these, only to have the Service Manager say they were not going to provide anymore loan cars or assist anymore if I'm further unhappy.

Serviced back to my local Ford as they didn't fix two problems highlighted, and then they charged all these ADD ONS above my capped price. I did a feedback review and was contacted by a service manager new to the local dealer who 'seemed' sincere but said his job is to really win back customer faith.

So far, all he has agreed to do has happened. Time will tell, but seems to be a positive change.

Truly, this is no different to a lot of other brands I've owned. The service experience kills my brand experience. Luckily, the warranty issues I've experienced have been minor and almost fully repaired.

Overall, are you satisfied with your ownership experience so far?

Yes.

You will see me complain a lot about the service backup support on this vehicle, and yes it has been very disappointing. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case with the purchase of the Ford.

Sadly it has been a battle just booking in for routine servicing. Thankfully, the local Ford dealership is taking steps to improve. So far, so good, but time will tell.

Would I recommend this vehicle: YES
Would I buy this vehicle again: YES

I enjoy driving this vehicle each and every time I'm in it. I arrive at destinations refreshed and feel like I had the nicest drive, and it was a good experience.

The tech works for me and not against me.

The size of the interior is excellent and doesn't feel big, with parking quite easy.

I normally change my cars over every three years. My plan is actually to keep this Ford Escape longer. Thankfully, when the capped-priced servicing runs out, Ford does have an ongoing service plan, which is actually well priced.

Talking to the local head mechanic confirmed they are easy to work on with no real issues at all. Well made and actually nothing he recommended to be careful of, other than keeping my tyres all the same height.

Due to the amount of driving I do, I do use a second vehicle for a lot of this. So to keep the Ford longer, my plan is to update the second vehicle in the next 12 months instead.

Sadly, Ford no longer produces these vehicles, so in the current Ford range of vehicles, they actually don't offer anything I'd purchase. The current range is just too large, being full-sized 4x4 vehicles. Really missed opportunities here.

Todd’s experience with the 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line

When purchasing a vehicle, it can take me many months of research, walking through some dealerships and when I cut down the list, overnight/24-hour test drives.

I nearly left the Ford Escape off my list as Ford had already announced it was no longer importing them, which was a concern regarding resale values. As the last vehicle I test drove, I found it was no comparison, it really had some wow features and just showed up the negatives in the other vehicles.

That motor is just fantastic. I drive it 98 per cent of the time in Eco mode, and it's perfectly powered in that mode and just has so much in reserves.

Such a nice handling car to ride. I have the ST-Line in AWD, which I felt was necessary with so much power on hand.

Space for interior is good for me, and the boot room is decent. Travelling distances is good and very happy with it.

Escape has been very reliable, and only very small warranty issues being the driver's side seat belt holder needing repair and ongoing repairs due to the original dealer not fixing it properly and due to this needing multiple repairs, the driver's seat base is now needing replacement. Also, brake disc shuddering, which was machined by the dealer.

My only issue was with the dealership support locally and having to travel significant distances for servicing and warranty, which is annoying.

Most friends who have travelled with me are very impressed with it. I have to admit I also enjoy my time behind the wheel still.

I've completed 35000km now in 18 months, and my only real concern is tyre placement. Standard is Continental EcoContact 6, and they handle great, ride well and are not too noisy, but seriously worn out in 35000kms. Not good, not the vehicle's fault, but wow still. A better choice please, Ford.

As a used vehicle, please go test drive one, especially the AWD versions.

The eight-speed transmission is barely noticeable and operates well. Pretty happy with it.

I also would like to add, the vehicle tech is quite well sorted without glitches or blank screens so far. The radar cruise is very good, and the headlights are fantastic.

Servicing is terrible in country SE Queensland, with limited dealers who own multiple brands, so are expected to wait up to three months for a service booking. Yes, that's right! Unless you're prepared to travel 90 mins for another dealer, but some of these dealers aren't the best to use.

Just thankful my local dealer has taken it upon themselves to work on winning back customer faith. Fingers crossed this continues.

MORE: Explore the Ford Escape showroom