Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

78 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
35

Most reports here involve fire.

fire 6sudden stalling 2
A recent report: 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…
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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

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11664257 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
22

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 5software faults 3
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11754677 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
2

Most reports here involve rollaway.

rollaway 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a loud squealing sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined…
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The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, there was a loud squealing sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11640574 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 4
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11748826 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle returned to normal…
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The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11583089 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
9

Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

other issues 9
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11673864 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
4

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 4
A recent report: See attached document for complaint.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11654659 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 78 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2022 and 2026, roughly 19 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.