RoadVitals

2022 Ford Escape PHEV

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
78
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 17, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Feb 17, 2026
25,237 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
The risk: 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.
The 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. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, and instructions to limit the maximum charge of the battery were mailed February 26, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25SC4View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Nov 14, 2025
20,558 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
The risk: 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.
The 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. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, and instructions to limit the maximum charge of the battery were mailed December 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 18, 2025.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25SC4View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 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
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 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
Steering
Filed Jul 7, 2026

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
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 26, 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
Filed Jul 16, 2025

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
Filed Jun 13, 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
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 2, 2025

I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the safety of my 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which I believe may have been rushed to market without sufficient development or reliability testing. As Ford’s first iteration of the Escape PHEV, it appears to suffer from multiple critical defects that suggest the technology was not fully ready for consumers. In less than 2.5 years of ownership, I have experienced the following serious safety-related issues: The vehicle is currently under recall for a defective high-voltage battery, and there have been multiple other recalls related to the PHEV technology, raising serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the overall hybrid system. NHTSA Recall Number 24V954. I experienced brake issues within the first 18 months of which have not been fixed and still making odd noises Most alarmingly, the engine failed while I was driving on the highway with under 32,000 miles on the vehicle, causing a sudden and dangerous loss of power. This incident placed me and others at serious risk of harm. While the dealership did repair the engine under warranty, Ford has not offered any meaningful assistance beyond that, nor have they provided alternative transportation or a solution that addresses my ongoing safety concerns. Ford corporate has refused to communicate with me in writing and will only speak by phone, making it extremely difficult to document discussions, obtain clear answers, or hold them accountable for their responses. Due to a lack of support from Ford, I was forced to borrow my mother’s vehicle for two weeks while mine was being serviced, as there were 17 other customers on a waitlist for a loaner vehicle at the dealership. Despite these serious problems, I still don't have a vehicle and I no longer feel safe driving the car, and a financial burden, as I now owe more on the car than it is worth on trade-in. I have not picked up the car due to safety concerns. I believe these issues

NHTSA ID
11664257
Incident
Apr 4, 2025
Electrical
Filed May 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11662597
Incident
May 22, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SAN-Vol1 I1

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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.

SSM 51598

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Escape PHEV by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010
2025310
2024420
2023102054.8
2022Viewing782044.3
2021201037.1
2020110

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.