Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2022 Ford EscapeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints for the 2022 Ford Escape. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (63) and engine (35). The EPA rates it 26–41 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–41mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
19campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
238
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

19 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford 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."

Back over preventionReported Mar 4, 2026NHTSA 26V123000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Remedy pending

Ford 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.

VisibilityReported Mar 3, 2026NHTSA 26V117000

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

Ford 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.

StructureReported Dec 2, 2025NHTSA 25V829000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

238 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2022 – Oct 2026
  1. Fuel system, gasoline63
  2. Engine35
  3. Service brakes33
  4. Power train31
  5. Fuel/propulsion system24
  6. Electrical system20
  7. Structure20
  8. Back over prevention9
  9. Vehicle speed control9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escape model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20011,027
20021,070
2003598
2004499
20051,584
2006720
2007393
20082,417
20091,693
20102,130
20111,319
2012604
20132,757
20142,089
20151,135
20161,178
20172,701
20181,823
2019599
20201,548
2021353
2022238
2023102
202477
202526
20263
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel system, gasoline

63 reports
“The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Fuel system, gasolineODI 11768104

Engine

35 reports4 fires
“In early September 2026, my 2022 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) experienced repeated engine stalls while my wife was driving with our children inside. The vehicle had only 33,028 miles. Whenever the A/C was engaged, the engine stalled and could not restart normally until the A/C was turned off. With the A/C off, the vehicle could restart and drive. Turning the A/C back on caused the engine to stall again. A strong burning/electrical smell accompanied the malfunction and persisted even with the A/C off. The failure occurred suddenly, without prior symptoms. Whether dashboard warning lights appeared is UNKNOWN. Losing engine power while driving created a serious collision risk for my family and other motorists. I drove the vehicle to Germain Ford of Beavercreek, Ohio, and reported the problem. The dealership documented the engine stalling while driving and burning smell under Repair Order #663106, dated October 15, 2026. Germain diagnosed a catastrophic internal A/C compressor failure with metal contamination throughout the A/C system, requiring extensive repairs. However, identifying the failed compressor does not explain why it failed or its precise…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11774820

Service brakes

33 reports2 crashes
“While traveling on the interstate, the driver of the Ford Escape moved into the left lane from behind an 18-wheeler that had stopped while attempting to enter a turning lane. After moving into the left lane, the driver observed traffic ahead stopping. The vehicle ahead was at or beyond the front of the 18-wheeler. The Escape was still behind the rear of the 18-wheeler when the driver began braking. The driver pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop as expected. It may have slowed slightly at first. The driver released the brake pedal and pressed it again. On the second application, the vehicle did not appear to slow further, and the brake pedal felt as though it went straight to the floor. The driver continued holding the brake pedal down until the Escape collided with the vehicle ahead, which was at or beyond the front of the 18-wheeler's cab. The driver had applied the brakes twice before the vehicle's forward-collision/impact warning activated. There were no known brake warning lights or brake-related messages before the incident. The suspected system involved is the braking system; the exact cause is UNKNOWN. The collision resulted in the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2026Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11757137
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · 2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 8-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
EV range
520 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escape FWD HEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
443741$1,550220
Escape AWD HEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
433740$1,600224
Escape FWD PHEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
433840$1,60077
Escape FWD
Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283430$2,150293
Escape AWD
Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
263128$2,300318
Escape AWD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223126$2,450347
  • Escape FWD HEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    44 city · 37 hwy · $1,550/yr
    41
    mpg comb.
  • Escape AWD HEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    43 city · 37 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
  • Escape FWD PHEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    43 city · 38 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
  • Escape FWD
    Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Escape AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 3 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    26 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Escape AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Escape SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Escape SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 16378Vehicle 16335
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2022 Escape questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Escape have?

19 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2022 Ford Escape problems?

Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (63), engine (35), service brakes (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Ford Escape get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Ford Escape at 26–41 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Ford Escape?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Ford Escape 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026