Problems · NHTSA complaints
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Owners filed 70 complaints about the 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid with NHTSA between Jul 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (34).
Complaints
70
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine34
- Electrical system12
- Service brakes12
- Structure7
- Power train6
- Forward collision avoidance4
- Visibility/wiper2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Lane departure2
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Exterior lighting1
- Air bags1
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
22
23
12
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
34 reports1 crash2 fires
“"While driving my 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid, the vehicle suffered an abrupt powertrain failure. A wrench icon and check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle immediately dropped into a low-speed mode that severely limited my throttle control on the road. I was unable to drive home and had to leave the vehicle on the road until I could get a tow. The vehicle is currently grounded and unsafe to operate at a Ford dealership lot. Ford customer service is actively refusing to authorize alternative transportation or honor the extended coverage parameters outlined in Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06, which covers this exact engine defect."”
Electrical system
12 reports
“Engaging & disengaging while parked and turned off. Lost of power while driving. Check engine light & wrench came on. Tried to get dealer to diagnose but they didn’t understand me with the engaging. Taking on dealer today’s for both issues. It went from about 50 mph to 25 mph”
Service brakes
12 reports1 crash
“Rear brakes squeak every time I back up in the cold weather, they have attempted to fix them, still not fixed. Then when driving about 10 MPH and coming to a stop, brakes will all the sudden grip and about throw you through the dash”
Structure
7 reports1 fire
“On 20 July 2026, my 2022 Ford Escape HEV caught fire in the engine compartment while parked. The vehicle is likely a total loss (insurance pending). On-site emergency personnel responded within minutes of the fire and the local fire department was on scene within 5 minutes of the 911 call. They cleared the incident (and d/c the 12V) within 32 minutes of arrival. Detroit Fire Department Incident: 202620101471. This vehicle was subject to Ford Safety Recall 23S27 and Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06, which address a manufacturing defect in the 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine. Under that recall, connecting rod bearing journals were not properly finished, causing premature bearing and engine failure that can release engine oil and fuel vapor into the under-hood area resulting in a fire. The recall remedy was completed on my vehicle, as were all customer satisfaction program campaigns. The dealer performed the PCM software update, which is intended to detect early signs of bearing failure through diagnostic trouble codes (P1061 and P032F) so the failure can be caught before an engine breach occurs. The engine long block was NOT replaced. Under Ford's own criteria, long…”
Power train
6 reports1 fire
“The vehicle was being flat towed which had been set to Neutral tow position, per Ford’s published procedure. After driving 5-7 miles from Old Orchard Beach, ME to Foxboro, MA we stopped at a stoplight. We turned right after coming to a complete stop. The front wheels locked up. We traveled about 20 yards to safely avoid any traffic issues. The vehicle had reset the transmission to Park. A set of tires on the front axle were flat spotted. The car was not running. The vehicle was dropped at a Ford dealer and the service technician informed me that there were several software updates that needed done including one to the Gateway System that could have caused my problem”
Forward collision avoidance
4 reports2 crashes
“The contact owned 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 65 MPH uphill, another vehicle attempting to make a left turn in front of the vehicle crashed into the vehicle. The contact stated that several air bags deployed inside the vehicle; however, the steering wheel and the front passenger’s side air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance feature failed to operate during the failure. The contact sustained injuries to the head, left hand, and the back. Medical attention was sought. The contact stated that a Police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.