Description of the Problem: I am the original owner of a 2022 Ford Escape PHEV (VIN [XXX]),.Current mileage is 41,585 miles. The vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 25SC4 (the federal safety agency 25V789 and 26V091) due to a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery cells (separator damage). This defect can cause internal short circuits, sudden loss of motive power, battery thermal venting, and in some cases vehicle fire — a clear safety risk. Before purchasing the Escape, I drove a 2015 Ford C-Max Plug-in Hybrid for 7 years and was very satisfied with it. I traded it for the Escape solely because of the greater electric range that was guaranteed at the time of purchase. For the first year of ownership I was very pleased with the Escape’s performance and range.For more than one year Ford’s official instructions required me not to charge the high-voltage battery above 80% and to drive only in EV Auto mode because of the fire hazard. This prolonged restriction created ongoing safety-related stress and prevented normal use of the vehicle’s primary hybrid function. On XXX, I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealer for the recall remedy. The dealer performed the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software update (the only official remedy). After the update, my usable battery capacity was permanently reduced by approximately 25-30% .The dealer confirmed that the original battery remains in the vehicle and will not be replaced, as it does not currently display DTC P0B24 under Customer Satisfaction Program 26N15. I request that the federal safety agency evaluate whether a software update that permanently reduces usable battery capacity by 25-30% and leaves the original defective cells in place constitutes an adequate remedy for a safety defect involving fire and loss-of-power risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2022 Ford Escape PHEV problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine36
- Electrical25
- Transmission11
- Fuel system8
- Body5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine36
- Electrical25
- Transmission11
- Fuel system8
- Body5
- Steering3
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- 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 on February 18, 2026.
Recall number 26V091000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- 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 on November 18, 2025.
Recall number 25V789000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N15 Certain 2020-2026 Model Year Escape and 2021-2026 Model Year Corsair...
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25M03 Certain 2020-2025 Model Year Escape, 2021-2025 Model Year Corsair and...
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be...
- Condition where the 12V battery voltage is low or discharged with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U3003:62...
What 2022 Ford Escape PHEV owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The safety recall remedy, 25SC4, has permanently degraded my vehicle's advertised electric range and usable battery capacity, constituting a loss of vehicle value. A formal case has been opened with Ford Motor Company: CXH-09567043-Y8H5L7
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V789000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted via an online chat. The contact had not experienced a failure.
this recall has been in effect for nearly 1 year & puts my car @ risk but also doesn't allow me to charge beyond 80%, greatly effecting fuel efficiency. Ford has failed to address the issue in a timely manner or offered any compensation for my additional fuel consumption or offered a realistic deadline for repair
The incident occurred while my 2008 Allegro Bus was towing my 2022 Ford Escape PHEV. Incident occurred on Sunday, 21 Jun 2026 about a mile from my home. I had just started a left hand turn and was in the intersection when I felt a thump-thump at the back of the coach. I did a quick inspection and saw no apparent damage and all tow connections were secure, so I continued to my home. While uncoupling the Escape from my motorhome, I saw the dash display warning of a steering issue. The steering felt heavy immediately; this wasn't a steering problem that developed over time. This happened during a single, towing maneuver, where the towed vehicle suddenly oscillated left and right twice while negotiating a gentle, off-camber turn. The Escape was in Ford's Neutral Tow Mode and was being flat towed per the Ford's owner's manual. Diagnostic data recorded the first steering control module failure at essentially the same time as the towing incident. There was no collision with another vehicle or object. The damage resulted from forces experienced during the towing maneuver. Ford diagnostics and FORScan both identified internal failures within the Electric Power Assisted Steering system, and the dealer has diagnosed the EPAS assembly (LX6Z-3C529-CH) as requiring replacement. Prior to this event, the steering system operated normally. After the incident, steering was heavy and deteriorated over approximately 15 miles of use until assist was completely lost and the force required to turn the steering made the car unsafe to drive. The Ford Escape had approximately 15,000 miles on it at the time of the incident. I did not see the movement of the car in mirrors or cameras. Map showing car path is my best assessment of the incident.
My PHEV car randomly and suddenly has loss of propulsion creating a safety hazard in traffic. It seems to occur at low speeds, sometimes from waiting in line at an intersection. This fault produces a solid red battery warning light, but no additional safety warnings, nor an error code for diagnostics. I have experienced this fault randomly in April, May, and June. The worst experience was within intersection traffic when I was unable to accelerate; just coasted with cars whizzing past. My usual dealership servicing staff were unable to reproduce the error. I was told they would/could not assess this fault without an error code. I had my car towed to a different service company. They advised that the 12-V battery showed 66% power; I asked them to replace that battery. I understand that this MAY NOT solve the problem. Although I used a rental car for a week while this problem was being attended, I am now driving my car with the new 12-V battery. Yes, I think my car is unsafe--at least, no one can assure me it has been fixed. I do not know how to assess whether it is fixed, short of being its test driver. My car has an open recall on the HV battery for which a fix is not yet available (not for months so far, anyway), so I drive my car as a hybrid, without charging the HV battery.
The guard plate between the sunroof and the moonroof fell off and the retractable screen rolled all the way back and is inoperable. The guard plate fell and hit my child while I was driving. When I searched the internet to see if others have experienced this issue, I discovered that it is a known issue with these vehicles. Unsecured falling parts is a danger and a recall should be issued to fix this issue immediately.
While driving, the metal crossbar trim above my head separating the front (movable) and rear (fixed) roof glass fell off, jamming the sunshade and then falling on my head
I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the safety of my 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which I believe may have been rushed to market without sufficient development or reliability testing. As Ford’s first iteration of the Escape PHEV, it appears to suffer from multiple critical defects that suggest the technology was not fully ready for consumers. In less than 2.5 years of ownership, I have experienced the following serious safety-related issues: The vehicle is currently under recall for a defective high-voltage battery, and there have been multiple other recalls related to the PHEV technology, raising serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the overall hybrid system. the federal safety agency Recall Number 24V954. I experienced brake issues within the first 18 months of which have not been fixed and still making odd noises Most alarmingly, the engine failed while I was driving on the highway with under 32,000 miles on the vehicle, causing a sudden and dangerous loss of power. This incident placed me and others at serious risk of harm. While the dealership did repair the engine under warranty, Ford has not offered any meaningful assistance beyond that, nor have they provided alternative transportation or a solution that addresses my ongoing safety concerns. Ford corporate has refused to communicate with me in writing and will only speak by phone, making it extremely difficult to document discussions, obtain clear answers, or hold them accountable for their responses. Due to a lack of support from Ford, I was forced to borrow my mother’s vehicle for two weeks while mine was being serviced, as there were 17 other customers on a waitlist for a loaner vehicle at the dealership. Despite these serious problems, I still don't have a vehicle and I no longer feel safe driving the car, and a financial burden, as I now owe more on the car than it is worth on trade-in. I have not picked up the car due to safety concerns. I believe these issues
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV
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Questions about the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV
Is the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV reliable?
Owners have filed 80 complaints about the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV, 3.6 times a typical Escape PHEV model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV year score?
The 2022 Ford Escape PHEV scores 28 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Escape PHEV: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV?
Engine and cooling, with 36 complaints. Next is electrical (25).
How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system.
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