2022 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Most of what owners describe for this model year centers on the engine, and a large share of those complaints are about an open engine recall: owners say they were notified of a fire-risk recall, but dealers told them parts were not available, and a few describe smoke, a ticking noise or an engine-compartment fire while driving. A second common theme is braking, with complaints of squealing in reverse and of the pedal feeling like it grabs or releases unevenly. Other reports cover electrical faults, door and hatch hardware and trim, and the hybrid's high-voltage shutdown behavior.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine recall notice with no remedy parts available

   • 20 complaints (29%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 1.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe receiving notice of an engine recall involving possible premature engine failure and an under-hood fire risk, then being told by dealers that the repair parts were not yet available. Several state the vehicle has not failed, while others report symptoms they connect to the recall: a metallic ticking or clicking noise, a glow or smoke from the engine bay, a low oil pressure message, reduced power, or an engine oil leak. Complaints also describe being referred between the dealer and the manufacturer without a repair date. Most of these reports were filed in late 2023 and 2024; mileage is often not stated, and where given it ranges from about 30,000 miles upward.

   What to check: Ask the seller for the recall status by VIN and whether the engine remedy has actually been completed, not just scheduled. Listen for ticking or knocking at start-up and check the oil level and condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the low oil pressure message illuminated. The vehicle experienced reduced engine power with unknown messages and warning lights illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11553209, filed 2023-11, 30,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. VIN tool confirms there were 1 recall at this time. The contact did not attempt to file the complaint online.”

   NHTSA complaint #11562126, filed 2023-12
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes squeal in reverse and grab or release unevenly

   • 10 complaints (14%)
   • median 52,949 mi at 2.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners describe a loud squeal from the rear brakes when backing up, often in cold or damp conditions, and say repeated dealer visits did not resolve it; one dealer explanation was that the noise is a normal part of how the brakes work with the hybrid system. Others report that while slowing to a stop the pedal briefly seems to release and then grab hard, or that the vehicle surges slightly at the end of a stop. Complaints describe dealers being unable to reproduce the behavior. Reported from near-new through roughly 45,000 miles, with several owners noting the noise is worse in cold weather or on the first use of the day.

   What to check: Try a slow reverse stop and a light-pedal stop from about 10 mph on the test drive and listen for squeal or uneven engagement. Ask whether the rear brakes have been inspected and whether any prior brake complaints were diagnosed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When i try to stop from going different times and ways meaning i was on highway off ramp it starts to stop and then it feels like it stops stopping and tries to stop again it os scary each time is different and it does not happen all the time but it skips i had it many times they replaced parts and still doing it”

   NHTSA complaint #11580597, filed 2024-04

   “when I am braking while slowing down on an offramp, the brakes will disengage, then hurry and reengaged. its only for a split second, but very scarry, this has happened 3 times. Then a few nights ago I was slowing down and had my foot on the brake very lightly, and the brakes caught and about threw me throw the windshield. I contacted ford and they told me that since they cannot get it to duplicate it, they won't do anything for me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11544444, filed 2023-09
3. 3
   Electrical system

   High-voltage fault, loss of power and shutdown

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe warnings such as a high-voltage fault message, an orange wrench light or a service-engine message, sometimes followed by loss of motive power or a limited-power mode. Some mention being told not to charge the vehicle, and some were towed to a dealer and left without a repair while a related recall part was unavailable. A further group received a high-voltage battery-related recall notice and could not get the work done. Filed across 2022 through 2025, with reported mileages from roughly 38,000 to 45,000 miles in the sample.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the vehicle scanned for stored hybrid and high-voltage codes before buying, and ask for the recall history by VIN. A service bulletin describes high-voltage battery replacement on some plug-in hybrid models and a charger connection issue, so confirm any applicable campaign work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Check manual light with orange wrench popped up. I checked my Ford Pass app and it said there was a high voltage fault. To contact a dealer immediately. But I can't even put it in neutral for a tow truck because the transmission is locked in some sort of safe mode. I think it is a part of the recall with high voltage battery failures.”

   NHTSA complaint #11472080, filed 2022-07

   “This defect has resulted in multiple vehicle shutdowns while in operation, significantly increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, Ford has identified a potential risk of battery thermal venting, which could lead to a vehicle fire, further endangering my safety and that of others on the road. Ford has advised not to charge the vehicle, further limiting its functionality and reliability. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11648228, filed 2025-03
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Door, hatch and water-intrusion problems

   • 10 complaints (14%)
   • median 45,500 mi at 1.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners report the rear hatch opening or closing on its own, including while driving or while loading, and one owner also described the fuel door doing the same. Others describe a failed door check arm hinge that prevented normal opening and closing, a broken spot weld near the driver's door hinge, corrosion on the lower door panels traced to water entering at the front hinge pillar, and water in the cabin from a clogged air-conditioning drain. Reported mostly between about 21,000 and 70,000 miles, with several complaints filed in 2024 and later.

   What to check: Open and close the hatch several times and check that it stays put; look along the door bottoms and rocker panels for bubbling paint or rust, and check the carpets and under-floor padding for dampness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has a broken spot weld visible on the driver's door near the hinge. This is becoming a more common problem with Escapes according to posts I'm reading on various forums.”

   NHTSA complaint #11589330, filed 2024-05

   “Water in the cab. Found online a few others have posted about clogged ac drip line. By the time you find it, your carpet is ruined. Have not Been able to locate the drip line.”

   NHTSA complaint #11677005, filed 2025-07
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and infotainment glitches

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the instrument panel going blank intermittently at various speeds, and one case was duplicated by a dealer and diagnosed as an instrument cluster fault with a partial cost offer toward repair. Others report the rear-view camera staying on with the warning chime after shifting from reverse to drive, and a 12V battery that went into a deep-sleep state leaving the vehicle unable to start or unlock remotely. Reported from a few thousand miles up to roughly 38,000 miles, spread across 2022 to 2025.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the screen and cluster illuminate cleanly through a start cycle and that the camera returns to the radio screen when shifting out of reverse. Service bulletins note 12V battery configuration steps after replacement, so ask whether the battery was replaced and configured.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The Panoramic Sunroof Drip Molding will not stay attached. When it falls, it can rip the sunshade causing it to hang down from the roof and block the drivers rear vision. The glue pads that are provided with the molding does not last long and it causes the molding to rattle with every bump as it starts failing. THE RIPPED SUNSCREEN HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY CAR, BUT THE MOLDING PIECE DOES KEEP FALLING OFF...NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF ADHESIVE I USE!”

   NHTSA complaint #11680033, filed 2025-08

   “when I go from reverse to drive my back up camera stay on and the beeping stays going, When I took it to Ford, they told me since they cannot get it to duplicate the issue, they can't help me, i asked about doing a computer reset and they said no”

   NHTSA complaint #11544446, filed 2023-09

Buying note. Check the recall list by VIN and confirm which engine and high-voltage campaigns were actually completed rather than merely scheduled, since several complaints concern repairs that were pending for a long time. A test drive that includes reverse braking, a full start cycle and a wet-weather look at the doors and carpets will surface most of what owners describe here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.