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 vehicle being declared a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle is currently being held at the insurance company's investigation yard and has not yet been released to the salvage department, so it remains available for inspection at this time. During approximately three years of ownership, the vehicle had previously experienced recurring squealing from the rear brakes when backing up. The vehicle was taken to Ford regarding the brakes on two occasions, and the brake pads were replaced once. Ford advised that no other issue was found at those times though squealing happened occasionally after.
2022 Ford Escape: grinding or squealing brakes
17 of the 238 complaints about the 2022 Ford Escape describe grinding or squealing brakes.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 10,000
- recalls
- 1
Grinding or squealing brakes by model year
What owners say
Shortly after purchasing my 2022 Ford Escape, I began experiencing hesitation during acceleration, loss of power, RPM fluctuations, loud howling and whining noises, grinding noises, exhaust-related rattling, coolant bubbling, and a strong sulfur/rotten egg odor. The problems were reported repeatedly to the selling dealer and Ford service departments. Despite multiple complaints, I was repeatedly told nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle continued to deteriorate and now struggles to accelerate and produces extremely loud noises during operation. The condition creates a safety concern because the vehicle does not respond normally when accelerating and may not be able to maintain speed safely in traffic. I also discovered an open safety recall involving a potentially cracked fuel injector that could allow fuel or fuel vapor to accumulate on the engine and create a fire risk. The recall remains incomplete because a remedy is not currently available. The vehicle has been inspected by dealership service departments and an independent transmission specialist. The problems have been ongoing since shortly after purchase and continue to worsen.
I have had issues with my car since the day that I bought it. First, my car squealed every time that I backed up. I took it to my local Ford dealership 3 or 4 times without this ever being fixed. This then progressed to my brakes squealing anytime they’re used. I barely have 25,000 miles on my car. Additionally, I have had numerous occasions where my car will get stuck and not shift, not accelerate which is extremely scary when merging into traffic, the RPM’s will jump between 3,000 and 5,000 and stay there while I cannot accelerate or shift. The vehicle has had episodes of shaking while I am driving, and now there is a grinding sound when driving for unknown reasons. My car has also sounded like there is a hole in the exhaust, although there isn’t. I’m not sure what’s causing the noise. Now I have come to find out that there are two active recalls on my car; one for the PCM control module (the federal safety agency Recall Number: 25V‑467, Ford Recall Number: 24S55), and the SYNC/ display software update (the federal safety agency Recall Number: 26V‑123, Ford Recall Number: 25S06) which is a lesser concern. I called the dealer that I bought my car from and they can’t service my car for the PCM control module via an appointment until 4/24/26 (over a month from now when I don’t feel safe driving my vehicle). They said that I can drop my car off before 4/24 for about a week, but that they can’t provide a loaner. I can’t be without a vehicle. Per Ford there are not parts for a permanent remedy anyway, and this is only a temporary fix as it is, which I don’t have confidence in. That’s ridiculous because the recall came out 7/2025. It’s been almost a year. They also told me that the SYNC software update is only a customer satisfaction, not a recall, so they won’t fix it, which is incorrect. I called Ford customer satisfaction and was also denied a loaner car. The only option that I was given was the possibility of a buyback program, which didn’t sound promising. I’m stuck in a car that I don’t feel safe in.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the transmission experienced hard shifts and hesitated while shifting into the intended gear. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated while the RPMs became elevated. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while shifting into the intended gear and lost motive power. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road until the power train warning light turned off. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure recurred, causing the contact to pull over to the side of the road several times. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle later, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence. The mechanic determined that the transmission was slipping and might need to be replaced. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. Several unknown dealers were contacted and provided estimates for the transmission replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the brake pads and rotors were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the weather was humid or it rained, the sound was louder. The contact related the failure to TSB: 23-2308 (Moaning Noise When in Reverse; in cold weather and/or high humidity); however, the vehicle was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Timeline of Events: •~March 2024 – Ongoing: Intermittent system alerts begin appearing at random. Includes: •AWD Temporarily Disabled •Auto Hold System Fault •Park Aid Fault •Drive Mode Not Available •Hill Start AssistNot Available •Service AdvanceTrac •Pre-Collision Assist Not Available •Power Steering Loss •Cruise Control not working •BLIS acting erratic •Squeaky brakes and “locked up” feel when glitch occurs •4/11/24: First major cluster of alerts appears. All systems shut off at once. Power steering was lost, difficult to turn. •4/17/24: Vehicle brought in for oil change. Brakes, tires, battery all checked and are in good condition. •4/21/24: Alerts occur again while driving. Same issues appear and disappear at random. •4/22/24: Vehicle returned to dealership. Intermittent issues discussed. No clear resolution found. •4/25/24: Alerts triggered again. Becoming more frequent. Safety systems failing during normal driving.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear brakes were making squealing and rubbing metal-on-metal sound whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who had not diagnosed or determined the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in reverse and depressing the brake pedal, there was a grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no sound while the vehicle was in drive. The dealer had been contacted and confirmed it was a known failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a squeaking sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,500.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle in reverse(R), the brakes made an abnormally loud squealing sound while the brake pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several dealers where it was acknowledged that the failure was a known issue; however, there was no remedy for the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided similar information as the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes were making an abnormal squealing and grinding noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three occasions, who diagnosed that the brakes were working as designed but that the brakes may be replaced to cease the abnormal noise. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
1. these are manufacturing problems right after I got the car within 1-3 months the seat belt is exceedingly difficult for a child /toddler the seat belts go into the seat and other problems 2. the middle shift ( park reverse drive) shift with the button area when you're at a red light made of plastic 1 month after I got the car it keeps losing pins falling out and dropping down this happened they said they fixed it but they really did not keeps losing with the pins falling out and pins keep coming out and the ford dealership in falls church Virginia making me pay 3 reverse and brake is bad squeaks they said they fixed with some kit but they did not 4wheels area are bad 3 months had problems I not sure how to describe it
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- During certain situations, the driver may have to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.
Recall number 21V922000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2022 Ford Escape grinding brakes
Is grinding or squealing brakes a common problem on the 2022 Ford Escape?
17 of 238 owner complaints about the 2022 Ford Escape (7%) mention grinding or squealing brakes. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2022 Ford Escape?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2022 Ford Escape
Check engine light 22Loss of power 11Stalling 11Jerking 8Adaptive cruise 6Fire or smoke 6Fuel smell 5Hesitation 5
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