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 block replacement was only authorized if the vehicle exhibited loud metal-to-metal clanking noises, a loss of torque, or the associated diagnostic codes. Dealership personnel assured me an engine light would illuminate and I would have time to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road. My vehicle did not have any warnings: no clanking, loss of torque, or leaks-no diagnostic warnings of any kind before the fire. The recall remedy did not prevent the exact failure it was designed to prevent--Ford's response was inadequate to protect owners. My the federal safety agency VIN lookup shows no open recalls. I completed every recall and CSP Ford issued. I have complete dealer service records for this vehicle, photos of the damage, hi-res surveillance video is saved at work, as well. The vehicle is intact and has not been salvaged.
Ford Escape Hybrid engine failure problems
45 of the 1,747 owner complaints about the Ford Escape Hybrid describe engine failure, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 45
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 105,800
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 19Power steering loss 6Stalling 4Loss of power 3Knocking 3Fire or smoke 2Check engine light 2Adaptive cruise 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P1061 1P032F 1
What owners say
My engine failed while driving. Towed to Ford dealership, found out about recall 23S27. Symptoms were the EXACT same but ford is refusing to cover warranty repairs because they said it did not throw the proper code. However ford has offered to cover half of the engine replacement, leaving me with a $4000 bill. Do I have any options? Is there a system of checks and balances that assures that ford is doing everything correctly on their end?
Sudden Catastrophic engine failure in less than 6 months, brand new. Winter weather driving, onset of engine sounds then louder With grinding noises, loss of power and cessation. Of function. I was stranded In the mountains with little to no phone function..had to arrange tow 1 hour away to nearest Ford dealership. Poor customer service just before the holiday. Stranded with no loaner available and no rentals available. Unknown cause, unknown if reproduced Dealer evaluated but did not providedocumentation Needs new motor in less than 6 momths???!!
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started and was still in park(P) in the driveway, the steering wheel failed to turn and seemed to be seized. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist" warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) recall repair had been completed in 2014 and that he had to pay to for Electronic Power Steering Assist repair out of pocket. The contact stated that he was the second owner of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
Recall 23S27 (the federal safety agency 23V‑380). I do not feel that Ford is offering owners a safe or effective repair, leaving serious risk of injury or death. 1.7/2022. Recall 22S47. “Engine oil and/or fuel vapor may leak and accumulate” which “may ignite resulting in an under hood fire, and increasing the risk of injury.” 2.8/8/22. Ford Media to UPI, “IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE FAILURE” above issues may occur. 3.5/26/23. Recall 23S27 acknowledges, “ENGINE COULD FAIL PREMATURELY,” leading to the above. 4.5/26/23. the federal safety agency Part 573 Safety Recall Report: CAUSE identified. “Isolated ENGINE MANUFACTURING ISSUES HAVE RESULTED IN 2.5L HEV/PHEV ENGINE FAILURES INVOLVING ENGINE BLOCK OR OIL PAN BREACH. Likely driving “final solution” (paragraph 7). “In the event of an ENGINE BLOCK OR OIL PAN BREACH, THE HEV/PHEV SYSTEM CONTINUES TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE ALLOWING THE CUSTOMER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AS THE CUSTOMER CONTINUES TO DRIVE AFTER A BLOCK BREACH, oil and/or fuel vapor continues to be expelled and accumulates near ignition sources”. 5.2023. “23S27 Chronology RMISC-23V380-7289,” LINKS recall 22S47 with 23S27. Vehicles WHICH HAD UNDERGONE THE REPAIR SPECIFIED BY 22S47 STILL HAD ISSUES, and Ford engineers CONFIRMED BLOCK BREACH AND CORRECT 22S47 REPAIR. “Repair” for 22S47 DID NOT FIX THE UNDERLYING MECHANICAL PROBLEM. 6.6/6/23. Autoblog: “Per Ford, the “manufacturing issues” include POOR MACHINING OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT AND CONTAMINATION OF ENGINE BLOCK MATING SURFACES DURING ASSEMBLY.” “2.5-liter engines . . . with defects “could be ticking time bombs.” 7.5/24. “SOFTWARE is now available to REPAIR [affected vehicles].” Dealers will “update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).” This will not fix the problem. I respectfully request the federal safety agency investigate and compel Ford to provide the correct and proper mechanical repairs necessary to prevent block/oil pan breach in the first place.
Safety Recall Notice 23S27 - Engine Failure - How does UPDATING THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE fix an internal engine manufacturing problem? Does this correct the internal engine manufacturing issue with these vehicles? Or is this just a fire prevention issue? This fix seems similar to the previous fix of drilling holes in the pan under the engine to allow the leaking oil to drain out, thereby preventing a fire. This fix appears to be a band-aid to avoid correcting the original engine manufacturing issue by forcing the engine to shut down before the oil leaks out. Recall Reference Number: 22S47 Isolated engine manufacturing issues have resulted in engine failures involving engine block or oil pan breach on certain 2020—2023 Ford Escape and 2022—2023 Maverick vehicles with 2.5L HEV/PHEV engines. In the event of an engine block or oil pan breach, the HEV/PHEV system continues to propel the vehicle allowing the customer to continue to drive the vehicle. As the customer continues to drive after a block breach, oil and/or fuel vapor continues to be expelled and accumulates near ignition sources primarily expected to be the exhaust system. This recall appears to be a way for Ford to avoid fixing these engine issues permanently. I mostly drive locally (2021 Ford Escape with 17,500 miles) because I don't want to get stuck on an interstate highway 500 miles from home. I have seen no documentation on how this helps owners feels safe when traveling away from home.
From the federal safety agency recall notes: may 26,2023 manufacturer recall number23s27 the federal safety agency recall number23v380 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available summary on your vehicle, the engine could fail prematurely. In the event of an engine failure, significant quantities of engine oil and/or fuel vapor may be released into the under hood environment and may migrate to and/or accumulate near ignition sources. Engine failure is expected to produce loud noises example metal-to-metal clank audible to the vehicles occupants. An engine failure will also result in a reduction in available engine power. Safety risk engine oil and/or fuel vapor that accumulates near a combustible source may ignite, increasing the risk of a fire. Remedy ford motor company is working closely with its suppliers to develop a remedy for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, ford motor company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge parts and labor. The remedy is anticipated to be available by october 2023. As of 2/26/24, ford has still not released a remedy to this safety-related recall.
Nothing has yet happened, however, Ford sent a recall notice regarding premature engine failure in May 2023. The recall (the federal safety agency recall 23V380) stated that they anticipated a solution by October 2023, but they have no solution still. I don't know what the nature of the defect is, but I did not anticipate waiting more than 8 months for a solution on something that could cause the engine to set on fire. This vehicle is a daily driver for us, and we'd like to take it on a road trip this summer, but the combination of heat and unknown engine risk makes me not want to risk it.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The All-Wheel Drive, cruise control, collision control, and hill assist were all turned off. The contact stated that while the ABS warning light was illuminated the power steering seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted a case was opened. The failure mileage was 29,859.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel seized. The power steering failure warning message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with power steering assist failure. The mechanic informed the contact that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that a recall for the steering had expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- Risk
- Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
Recall number 22V109000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Escape Hybrid engine failure
Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (19 complaints), 2006 (8 complaints) and 2007 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Ford Escape Hybrid?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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