2022 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability
· 4th generationAn average Escape year.
381 owner complaints, most about engine. 21 recalls.
Should I buy a 2022 Escape?The 2022 Ford Escape has 381 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 21 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and fuel system. Owners most often flag 12v battery failures causing app connectivity issues, slow system shutdown, and starting problems.
Safety record for the 2022 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2022 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Escape years only. How we score it
Is 2022 a good year for the Escape?
Across the 27 Escape model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2000) to 4,834 (2008). With 381 complaints, the 2022 Escape sits below the model's median of 1,110.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2022 Escape
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Campaign 21V922000Ford 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."
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Campaign 22V149000Ford 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
Campaign 22V191000Ford 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.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 22V484000Ford 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.
Show 17 more recalls
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 22V859000Ford 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
Campaign 23V380000Ford 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, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 24V187000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 24V330000Ford 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.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 24V852000Ford 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."
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm)
Campaign 24V954000Ford 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 25V133000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 25V165000Ford 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.
engine
Campaign 25V345000Ford 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.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford 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.
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Campaign 25V467000Ford 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.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 25V685000Ford 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.
structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments
Campaign 25V829000Ford 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.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 26V117000Ford 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.
back over prevention:software
Campaign 26V123000Ford 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."
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Campaign 25V789000Ford 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.
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Campaign 26V091000Ford 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.
What owners report on the 4th generation Escape
Owner sentiment toward the fourth-generation Escape is mixed, with praise for the hybrid powertrain's reliability and the 2.0L engine's performance, but significant criticism of the 1.5L engine, 12V battery issues, wind noise, and parts delays.
- Very frequent12V battery failures causing app connectivity issues, slow system shutdown, and starting problems
- Recurrent1.5L three-cylinder engine failures requiring replacement
- RecurrentSeat leather cracking or tearing on Premium trim
- RecurrentPre-Collision Assist disabled warning due to frost, ice, or dirt on sensors
- RecurrentWind noise from driver side mirror area
Owner insights for the 4th generation Escape. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Escape listings typically run $9,995–$20,378.
Other Escape model years
Compare every Escape year side by side to see how 2022 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escape against its rivals
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