The Lemon Index2022 Ford Escape.
The 2022 Ford Escape is worse than average by owner complaints: 298 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 177, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 21 recalls, and it gets 26 to 41 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 382 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Escape year. 2022 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 55K miles on the car (80 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 43K–61K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 1K–34K miles
Recalls 21
- back over prevention 2026
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- visibility 2026
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
- electrical 2026
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Show all 21 recalls
- body structure 2025
The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
- electrical 2025
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- equipment 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- back over prevention 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- engine 2025
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- transmission & drivetrain 2025
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- electrical 2024
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- equipment 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- fuel system, gasoline 2024
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- engine 2023
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- fuel system, gasoline 2022
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- engine 2022
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine comp…
- engine 2022
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
- electrical 2022
The high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
- brakes 2021
The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 169 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2019-2022 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles…
- Some 2022 Escape and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines should not be taken out…
- Some 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-E vehicles built on 01-Aug-2021 and through 18-Jan-2022, 2022…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedUnderhood fires caused by fuel leak2024–2025
- ClosedFailed door check arm attachment point2023–2024
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape HEV SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape HEV SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
My 2022 Ford Escape the engine shakes really bad there are new brakes pads on my car and my rims are fill with dust from the brakes
2022 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 11620900
More owner reports
Problem with fuel injectors. Car has a very rough idle when cold. Also while driving there is a rough idle from the engine.
NHTSA complaint 11651307
Since purchase, the car has made a loud squealing noise when applying brakes in reverse. Seems to take longer to come to a stop at times when applying brakes but other times jerks to a stop.
NHTSA complaint 11495785
Quick answers
Is the 2022 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 177; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2022 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (29%), brakes (15%) and fuel system, gasoline (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Escape have?
21 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Ford Escape get?
26 to 41 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2022 Ford Escape safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2022 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,800 and 55,000 miles. The middle report was at 35,500 miles, from 80 complaints.
Does the 2022 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2022 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2022 Ford Escape have?
1.5L 3-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2022?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works