2022 Ford Escape Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Escape, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Ford Escape, 2020 to 2024 model years
Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2022 compares

Too new to judge fully

It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Escape year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 49,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Escape. The most reported problem area is the fuel system (87, 37% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control. That ranks 11th of 13 Escape years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 19 recalls.

Complaints238filed with NHTSA
Recalls19for this model year
Crashes79 injuries reported
Fires4reported in complaints

2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2022 Ford Escape before you buy.

Fuel system

87 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start after several attempts. The check…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 48,000 miles

Engine and cooling

40 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

E29 light-emission malfunction warning indicator. Large evaporation leak. Dealer notified and repaired 10/16/26 at 54,399 miles and 10/27/26 at 54,835 miles. Items not under warranty.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The engine warning light came on and Autozone indicated that it involved the evap cannister purge valve. As I was trying to figure out which part to order over a couple of days, the car stopped in the middle of an intersection while my wife was driving. It would not restart. We had the car towed and spent several hundred dollars on a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Brakes and stability control

34 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

While traveling on the interstate, the driver of the Ford Escape moved into the left lane from behind an 18-wheeler that had stopped while attempting to enter a turning lane. After moving into the left lane, the driver observed traffic ahead stopping. The vehicle ahead was at or beyond the front of the 18-wheeler. The Escape was still…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Warning message appeared on dash as I was braking. Reduced braking power. I had pushed on brake pedal almost to the floor & missed turning at a corner. My car also makes noise upon backing up each day.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

31 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

There are no warning lamps on at this time but the transmission is not shifting at the right points. It seems to search a lot for the right gear. Also half the time you hit the gas there is severe transmission lag. It makes it dangerous to pull into traffic. I first had the transmission replaced at roughly 36000 miles. It now has 47000…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission shudders and hesitates during low-speed operation, typically around 10-15 mph. Condition occurs repeatedly during normal driving and feels like slipping or delayed engagement. Transmission fluid was replaced, but the problem persists. No warning lights or messages have appeared. The issue may reduce driver confidence and…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Body, doors and structure

21 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (16).

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Ford has issued a safety recall (Campaign 25DD6/2025-665) for the 2022 model year Escape. Part of the roof's hinge cover comes off and poses a hazard. The problem is my Ford 2022 Escape is not included even though it suffers from this identical hazard. How can I get my vehicle (VIN: [XXX]) included in the recall? Thanks INFORMATION…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when opening the door, there was an abnormal, unknown noise detected. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56: The local dealer was contacted and scheduled an appointment. The vehicle had not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 137,000 miles

Electrical system

20 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle on many occasions, the vehicle would start up and display odd error messages. For example, if the vehicle was plugged in, it stated to go to the owner's manual. The vehicle would not move and caused the vehicle to go into park. Clearing the messages…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 26,000 miles
I received a letter saying that if I charge my battery over 80% it will catch on fire. This is the second battery recall this year saying my car will catch on fire. I couldn't charge my car for 6 months with the first recall and I bought this car because I only drive short distances and use the battery for most daily driving. Having two…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Driver assist systems

16 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH on the interstate, the automatic emergency braking system erroneously engaged intermittently. A dealer was contacted. The "Pre-Collision Assist Is Not Available," "Hill Start Assist Is Not Available," and "Reduced Power Brake Applied" warning messages…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the sync screen displayed a blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer previously and was diagnosed as needing a battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time and was diagnosed with wire failure; the issue persisted.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 32,000 miles

Cruise control and acceleration

9 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the cruise control feature became inoperable. The failure of the cruise control caused the vehicle to accelerate to 74 MPH unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 35,000 miles
The car accelerates without pressing the accelerator. While driving at any moment or when hitting the brakes the car will speed up on its own. I have no problem with the car stopping when I hit the brakes. It just seems as though sometimes it will accelerate when first touching the brakes. I have noticed this for maybe about a year. I…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Lights, wipers and visibility

9 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Sunroof fabric shade detached from roller arms meant to move shade open/closed. Plastic clips meant to hold shade fabric to roller arms snapped. Caused shade fabric to detach and cause hazard by hanging fabric, unable to see backseat or out back windshield. Caused hazard by not have shade to block out sunlight from above, hindering…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver-side and passenger-side floors would get flooded with water. In addition, the contact stated that the water would leak from the AC while the Air-Conditioning was activated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles

Seats and seat belts

8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driver's side seat: I use heated seat at times along with a/c to help my lower back pain. On [XXX] I was using it. I moved my right leg as I was driving with cruise control and I felt some skin tear off of the back of my thigh. Of course, it hurt and I immediately put my hand down and the seat was ridiculously hot! I had to keep my hand…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I was on the passenger rear side, lifting the lever to lay the back of the seat flat and forward while doing so I was slightly in the vehicle, trying to lift the lever. When all of a sudden the seat flew forward very rapidly like spring action, and the piece that holds the seatbelt at the top of the back of the seat, which is plastic…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Steering

6 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Excessive bilateral play/backlash in the steering rack unit was identified by a 3rd party repair organization. Ball-joint wear was ruled out and the problem suspected to be caused by internal wear of mechanical restraints. Third party mechanic advised that the car was unsafe to drive due to possible uncontrolled loss of steering function…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The steering rack and gear went completely while we were driving 60mph on the highway. We had absolutely no steering all of a sudden and ended up missing a cliff and veering/driving 40 feet into a pasture at 60mph. No warning lights came on, the steering wheel pulled for a minute and then went completely loose with no steering. We had…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Suspension

5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to Midas for a service appointment, and the contact was informed that the rear shocks were leaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was informed that the rear shocks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 27,125 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change and maintenance performed, the dealer informed the contact the struts were worn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the shock absorbers were leaking and needed to be…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 49,000 miles

Air bags

4 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owned a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while slowing down to stop a second vehicle traveling approximately 50 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, the contact's vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle causing severe damage to the vehicle's frontend. The contact indicated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 34,000 miles
Since purchase airbags light stays on reported this several times! Next engine oil has been leaking on hot parts of engine report to manufacturer and they are doing nothing this is my only vehicle! This could cause a fire! Several vehicles same year and model same problem!Owner complaint, filed 2024

Wheels and tires

3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Conti ProContact, Tire Size: 225/65/R17. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle experienced a flat tire. While inspecting the tire, he noticed damage to the sidewall. There was a small crack located on the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 5,600 miles
225/75r 17 new car, 3000 miles on it driving on the highway and I hear the rapid thumping. Low tire pressure light came on. I was near an exit and luckily pulled off to safety. Because there is a continental tire recall on 3 specific tires I wanted to bring this to your attention as far as I am concerned this should not have happened…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Ford Escape complaints by year

Compare the 2022 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2022 compact SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2022 Ford EscapeToo new to judge19Fuel system
2022 Toyota RAV4Too new to judge1Electrical system
2022 Honda CR-VToo new to judge3Steering
2022 Mazda CX-5Too new to judge0Lights, wipers and visibility
Compare side by side

2022 Ford Escape recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2022 Ford Escape, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Backup camera

Mar 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V123000
Risk
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Windows, mirrors and wipers Motor

Mar 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V117000
Risk
Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

Body and structure Hinge and attachments

Dec 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V829000
Risk
A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.

Equipment Engine block heater

Oct 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V685000
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Jul 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V467000
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will update the engine control software.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Backup camera

Jun 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
Fix
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Engine

May 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V345000
Risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Mar 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V165000
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Transmission and drivetrain Control module

Mar 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V133000
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

Electrical system Management system / energy control module

Dec 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V954000
Risk
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

Equipment Labels

Nov 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V852000
Risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Transmission and drivetrain Control module

May 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V330000
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Mar 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V187000
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Engine

May 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V380000
Risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. 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.

Fuel system Fuel injection system

Nov 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V859000
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Engine and cooling

Jul 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V484000
Risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. 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.

Engine and cooling Oil / lubrication

Mar 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V191000
Risk
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
Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.

Electrical system Traction battery

Mar 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V149000
Risk
A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

Brakes Caliper

Nov 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V922000
Risk
During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

2022 Ford Escape questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Ford Escape?

The most reported problem areas on the 2022 Ford Escape are the fuel system (87 complaints), the engine and cooling (40 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (34 complaints).

Is the 2022 Ford Escape a good year to buy?

Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Escape year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the fuel system, which half of owners reported by about 49,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2022 Ford Escape. The most recent, from Mar 2026, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2022 Ford Escape problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the fuel system gave a mileage of about 49,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 44,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?

The Escape years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.