2022 Ford Escape: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

In early XXX, my 2022 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) experienced repeated engine stalls while my wife was driving with our children inside. The vehicle had only 33,028 miles. Whenever the A/C was engaged, the engine stalled and could not restart normally until the A/C was turned off. With the A/C off, the vehicle could restart and drive. Turning the A/C back on caused the engine to stall again. A strong burning/electrical smell accompanied the malfunction and persisted even with the A/C off. The failure occurred suddenly, without prior symptoms. Whether dashboard warning lights appeared is UNKNOWN. Losing engine power while driving created a serious collision risk for my family and other motorists. I drove the vehicle to [XXX] of [XXX], and reported the problem. The dealership documented the engine stalling while driving and burning smell under Repair Order #XXX, dated XXX. [XXX] diagnosed a catastrophic internal A/C compressor failure with metal contamination throughout the A/C system, requiring extensive repairs. However, identifying the failed compressor does not explain why it failed or its precise relationship to the engine stalling. Despite repeated requests since XXX, Ford has not provided a technical explanation of the root cause or whether a manufacturing or supplier defect was considered. Ford Customer Relations closed my case with these questions unanswered. Whether the dealership reproduced the stalling during testing or Ford conducted a separate physical inspection is UNKNOWN. The vehicle remains at Germain Ford awaiting repair authorization. To my knowledge, the failed components remain installed and available for inspection. I have requested their preservation. I request the federal safety agency investigate this potential safety defect to determine whether other Ford Escape owners may be at risk. I am concerned this failure could occur without warning in other vehicles, putting additional families at risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Driver assistance · 109,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH on the interstate, the automatic emergency braking system erroneously engaged intermittently. A dealer was contacted. The "Pre-Collision Assist Is Not Available," "Hill Start Assist Is Not Available," and "Reduced Power Brake Applied" warning messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic shop for diagnostic testing, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Jun 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and taken to the dealer and diagnosed with turbo, catalytic converter failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that fuel can be smelled while driving, and experienced loss of power, warning lights service engine soon and engine has detected a fault illuminated on the instrument panel. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

Check engine light on with Powertrain Malfunction / REduced Power notification on myford pass app. Scanned with OBD scanner and it has code P0929

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · SC

On March 31st, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on a major highway, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure without prior warning. The "Check Engine" and "Powertrain Malfunction" (Wrench) lights illuminated, and the vehicle experienced an immediate and total loss of motive power. This created a high-risk safety situation for myself (luckily my daughter was not with me at the time), I was forced navigate through high-speed traffic to the shoulder with no engine propulsion. Technical Confirmation: The vehicle was towed to Dick Smith Ford (Columbia, SC). A diagnostic scan revealed fault code P032F (Combustion Engine Producing Insufficient Torque). The dealership confirmed the failure was internal and required a total Long Block Engine Assembly replacement in accordance with CSP 23NC06 (Reference RO #259050). Failure of Previous Safety Recall: Crucially, this vehicle had already received the "remedy" for Recall 23S27 / the federal safety agency Campaign 23V440000 (Engine Fire Risk). Despite Ford's claim that the software update and grill shutter modifications mitigated the risk of catastrophic failure and fire, the engine still suffered a major breach and total failure at highway speeds. This demonstrates that the current recall remedy is insufficient to protect occupants from sudden loss of power or potential fire hazards.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 13,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a stoplight and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to move forward and stalled. Several codes were displayed, including Charging System Service Now with the Battery Warning light illuminated. The vehicle lost power, and the hazard lights were inoperable. The contact stepped outside the vehicle to direct traffic around the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the alternator and battery had failed. The battery and alternator were replaced. The error codes illuminated again after having the vehicle repaired. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The dealer informed the contact that a PCM software update had been completed; however, the parts for the repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Steering · MI

The following message was displayed on the dash "Steering Assist Fault Service Required". Immediately lost power assisted steering and the steering became difficult (manual steering), mostly at lower speeds. Could have resulted in an accident if it happened while making a turn, as I would not have expected to need that much effort to turn. Car is currently at a Ford Dealership for service. The error message has come on several times in the past at start up, but by restarting the car it went away with no loss of function. This last time, it came on while driving.

Filed Aug 24, 2025 · Transmission · OH

While I was driving 65 mph I changed lanes and pressed the gas pedal to accelerate when the vehicle suddenly lost power and shifted to neutral. The check engine light came on. I was able to move the vehicle off the road avoiding an accident and turned the vehicle off for a few moments. I then restarted the vehicle and exited the highway at the next exit. The error code was checked with the check engine light on and it was P068A. The car was parked for the evening and the next day the check engine light was no longer on the dashboard upon restart. Scheduling the vehicle to be checked for issues.

Filed May 20, 2024 · Transmission · CA

I have a 2022 ford escape ecoboost I was going the freeway so put it on faster drive , push button it started to go then at maybe about 35 mph it jerked us all back and fourth my car gear went from drive to neutral and car lost power on the freeway ! I had my [XXX] nephew with me and my [XXX] old mom who was jerked back and forth ! Thank god for seatbelts ! I don’t know what to do called ford and have to take care in to see what could have caused this problem ! I hate the dealership I go to !and need to find a place that’s honest about what’s happening ! Had to pull over and try to come off freeway . I live in ca , u dont get a police report unless there is a major accident or major hurt , cops don’t come for these kind of things . And it just happened again for the 2nd time , 1st time it happened about 1 year into owning the car , I thought maybe I did something wrong ! But now I know I didn’t , told ford before but nothing was done about it INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Transmission · 23,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started losing power. The contact stated that a notification from the Ford mobile app indicated that there was a power train malfunction, reduction in power, Four-wheel Drive fault, and advised to contact an authorized dealer. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.