2022 Ford Escape PHEV

Description of the Problem: I am the original owner of a 2022 Ford Escape PHEV (VIN [XXX]),.Current mileage is 41,585 miles. The vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 25SC4 (NHTSA 25V789 and 26V091) due to a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery cells (separator damage). This defect can cause internal short circuits, sudden loss of motive power, battery thermal venting, and in some cases vehicle fire — a clear safety risk. Before purchasing the Escape, I drove a 2015 Ford C-Max Plug-in Hybrid for 7 years and was very satisfied with it. I traded it for the Escape solely because of the greater electric range that was guaranteed at the time of purchase. For the first year of ownership I was very pleased with the Escape’s performance and range.For more than one year Ford’s official instructions required me not to charge the high-voltage battery above 80% and to drive only in EV Auto mode because of the fire hazard. This prolonged restriction created ongoing safety-related stress and prevented normal use of the vehicle’s primary hybrid function. On XXX, I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer for the recall remedy. The dealer performed the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software update (the only official remedy). After the update, my usable battery capacity was permanently reduced by approximately 25-30% .The dealer confirmed that the original battery remains in the vehicle and will not be replaced, as it does not currently display DTC P0B24 under Customer Satisfaction Program 26N15. I request that NHTSA evaluate whether a software update that permanently reduces usable battery capacity by 25-30% and leaves the original defective cells in place constitutes an adequate remedy for a safety defect involving fire and loss-of-power risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11773470

Incident

Oct 21, 2026

The safety recall remedy, 25SC4, has permanently degraded my vehicle's advertised electric range and usable battery capacity, constituting a loss of vehicle value. A formal case has been opened with Ford Motor Company: CXH-09567043-Y8H5L7

NHTSA ID

11769721

Incident

Oct 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V789000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted via an online chat. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11754677

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

this recall has been in effect for nearly 1 year & puts my car @ risk but also doesn't allow me to charge beyond 80%, greatly effecting fuel efficiency. Ford has failed to address the issue in a timely manner or offered any compensation for my additional fuel consumption or offered a realistic deadline for repair

NHTSA ID

11750860

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

The incident occurred while my 2008 Allegro Bus was towing my 2022 Ford Escape PHEV. Incident occurred on Sunday, 21 Jun 2026 about a mile from my home. I had just started a left hand turn and was in the intersection when I felt a thump-thump at the back of the coach. I did a quick inspection and saw no apparent damage and all tow connections were secure, so I continued to my home. While uncoupling the Escape from my motorhome, I saw the dash display warning of a steering issue. The steering felt heavy immediately; this wasn't a steering problem that developed over time. This happened during a single, towing maneuver, where the towed vehicle suddenly oscillated left and right twice while negotiating a gentle, off-camber turn. The Escape was in Ford's Neutral Tow Mode and was being flat towed per the Ford's owner's manual. Diagnostic data recorded the first steering control module failure at essentially the same time as the towing incident. There was no collision with another vehicle or object. The damage resulted from forces experienced during the towing maneuver. Ford diagnostics and FORScan both identified internal failures within the Electric Power Assisted Steering system, and the dealer has diagnosed the EPAS assembly (LX6Z-3C529-CH) as requiring replacement. Prior to this event, the steering system operated normally. After the incident, steering was heavy and deteriorated over approximately 15 miles of use until assist was completely lost and the force required to turn the steering made the car unsafe to drive. The Ford Escape had approximately 15,000 miles on it at the time of the incident. I did not see the movement of the car in mirrors or cameras. Map showing car path is my best assessment of the incident.

NHTSA ID

11748826

Incident

Jun 21, 2026

My PHEV car randomly and suddenly has loss of propulsion creating a safety hazard in traffic. It seems to occur at low speeds, sometimes from waiting in line at an intersection. This fault produces a solid red battery warning light, but no additional safety warnings, nor an error code for diagnostics. I have experienced this fault randomly in April, May, and June. The worst experience was within intersection traffic when I was unable to accelerate; just coasted with cars whizzing past. My usual dealership servicing staff were unable to reproduce the error. I was told they would/could not assess this fault without an error code. I had my car towed to a different service company. They advised that the 12-V battery showed 66% power; I asked them to replace that battery. I understand that this MAY NOT solve the problem. Although I used a rental car for a week while this problem was being attended, I am now driving my car with the new 12-V battery. Yes, I think my car is unsafe--at least, no one can assure me it has been fixed. I do not know how to assess whether it is fixed, short of being its test driver. My car has an open recall on the HV battery for which a fix is not yet available (not for months so far, anyway), so I drive my car as a hybrid, without charging the HV battery.

NHTSA ID

11746769

Incident

Apr 27, 2026

The guard plate between the sunroof and the moonroof fell off and the retractable screen rolled all the way back and is inoperable. The guard plate fell and hit my child while I was driving. When I searched the internet to see if others have experienced this issue, I discovered that it is a known issue with these vehicles. Unsecured falling parts is a danger and a recall should be issued to fix this issue immediately.

NHTSA ID

11673864

Incident

Jul 6, 2025

While driving, the metal crossbar trim above my head separating the front (movable) and rear (fixed) roof glass fell off, jamming the sunshade and then falling on my head

NHTSA ID

11666816

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

Customer Satisfaction Program 26N15 Certain 2020-2026 Model Year Escape and 2021-2026 Model Year Corsair Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) – High Voltage Battery Replacement

Customer Satisfaction Program 25M03 Certain 2020-2025 Model Year Escape, 2021-2025 Model Year Corsair and 2022- 2025 Model Year Maverick Vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid engine - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Differential Pressure Sensor Replacement, if Required After Dealer Evaluation

The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information.

Some 2020-2023 Escape/Corsair equipped with 2.5L engine full hybrid electric vehicle (FHEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L engine FHEV powertrain may exhibit a condition where the 12V battery voltage is low or discharged with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U3003:62 stored in the direct current/direct current converter control module (DC/DC). The vehicle may also exhibit DTC U3003:16 and/or U3000:04 stored in the DC/DC module. This may be due to an open in the 300 amp mega fuse located in the high current battery junction box (BJB). To correct this condition, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-05>Pinpoint Test H1 to verify the 300 amp mega fuse condition, replace the fuse upon confirm it is open. Test and recharge the 12v battery.