YearToAvoid

2022 Ford Escape PHEV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 6 Escape PHEV years

The 2022 Ford Escape PHEV ranks worst of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 78 complaints, mostly Engine (47%) and Electrical System (29%). It carries 2 recalls and is rated Avoid relative to other Escape PHEV years.

Complaints
78
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2022 Ford Escape PHEV problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine37 (47%)
  2. Electrical System23 (29%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain11 (14%)
  4. Other10 (13%)
  5. Fuel System8 (10%)
  6. Structure & Body6 (8%)
  7. Steering3 (4%)
  8. Brakes2 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (3%)
  10. Airbags1 (1%)

What owners report

  • Vehicle loses motive power and stalls intermittently at low speeds, sometimes with unknown warning lights illuminated and no fault found by the dealer.
  • Electrical failures cause the car to shut down completely while driving, even with the battery charged over 40%.
  • Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering have jerked the steering wheel or suddenly accelerated the set speed without driver input.
  • Seat mounting bolts and nuts were found missing or loose, leaving rear seats poorly secured to the floor.
  • Sharp, unfinished metal edges inside the trunk area have cut owners' hands during normal use.
  • A front passenger door has opened unexpectedly while the vehicle was in motion.
2022 Ford Escape PHEV complaints: complaints filed per month14Jul 2022Mar 2023Oct 2023Feb 2024Jun 2024Feb 2025Jun 2025Aug 2026
106 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2022 to Aug 2026; peak Dec 2023 (14).

2022 Ford Escape PHEV recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V091000Feb 17, 2026Electrical System25,237 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

    Ford 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.

    Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. This recall expands previous recall numbers 24V954 and 25V489. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 18, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V789000Nov 14, 2025Electrical System20,558 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

    Ford 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.

    Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 18, 2025.

2022 compared with other Escape PHEV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020No verdict011—
2021Avoid80221—
2022Avoid100782—
2023Caution60112—
2024Best2062—

All Ford Escape PHEV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV reliable?
Compared to other Escape PHEV model years, 2022 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 78 owner complaints, mostly involving the Engine and Electrical System.
What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV?
Engine complaints account for 47% of all reports (37 of 78), with a median mileage at failure of 3,000 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
Does the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2022 Escape PHEV, both involving the Electrical System, related to a manufacturing defect in high-voltage battery cells that could cause an internal issue.
How does the 2022 Escape PHEV compare to other years?
The 2022 model has the highest Complaint Index (100) of all 6 model years with data, while 2024 has the lowest at 20 and is rated Best.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.