What 222 owners told NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Escape Gas

A Terrifying Ordeal and a Broken Promise: M.A’s Story A Known Danger Ignored In August 2025, M.A, a [XXX] woman living with Multiple Sclerosis, received a letter from Ford Motor Company. It was a recall notice for her 2022 Ford Escape, warning that a defect in the turbo system could cause engine fires. Despite this known danger, the letter contained a chilling instruction: there was "no recommendation to stop operating the vehicle." Trusting the manufacturer, M.A continued to drive her car—her essential link to independence. A Nightmare on the Road Two months later, in October 2025, that trust nearly cost M.A her life. While driving in Windsor, Ontario, she saw smoke, then flames erupt from under the hood. In a horrifying instant, the engine compartment burst into fire. Paralyzed by panic—a "brain freeze" moment where she couldn't even unlock her door—she was trapped. Only with the help of bystanders was she pulled to safety, where she watched helplessly as her car and everything she owned—clothes, jewelry, two laptops, an iPad, and three suitcases—were consumed by flames. Physical and Emotional Devastation The fire was extinguished, and the car was towed away, but the damage to M.A’s life was just beginning. The traumatic event triggered a severe relapse of her Multiple Sclerosis, worsening her physical disability. The profound stress and sadness have been overwhelming. She is now without a vehicle, struggling daily with lost mobility and independence. Abandoned by the Company at Fault When M.A contacted Ford for help, seeking accountability for the defect they had already acknowledged, she was met with indifference. Customer service representatives, both by phone and on Facebook, directed her only to her insurance company, washing their hands of responsibility for the catastrophic failure their recall had warned about INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11706397

I am writing to formally demand immediate action regarding my 2022 Ford Escape, VIN [XXX] a 0% financing plan and Ford’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Since purchase, the Escape has suffered serious safety defects, including gasoline fumes inside the cabin, burning odors, and repeated performance failures tied to the fuel system. On [XXX] and again on [XXX], the vehicle flamed up while being driven, requiring emergency intervention to extinguish. In August 2025, Ford issued Safety Recall 25S76, admitting that these vehicles may suffer fuel injector cracking, fuel leaks, and under-hood fires while being driven. Ford further admitted that no permanent repair remedy exists. The interim software update provided does not correct the defect. As a retired U.S. Army Combat Medic and Purple Heart recipient, I live with PTSD triggered by vehicle fires and explosions. The Escape’s condition has placed me in a state of medical crisis, making it impossible for me to safely operate the vehicle. FORD HAS DISCONTINUED THE LINE. I WANT A REPLACEMENT CAR OR I WANT TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE RISK OF LOSS OF LIFE IF I DRIVE THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11697416

The contact owned a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while slowing down to stop a second vehicle traveling approximately 50 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, the contact's vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle causing severe damage to the vehicle's frontend. The contact indicated that the front driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy and both the front driver and passenger side seatbelts failed to secure the occupants. The driver sustained a head contusion, neck and back, and right calf injuries, and the front passenger sustained a head contusion, thumb, back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Both occupants were transported to the local hospital and received medical treatment. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 34,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620413

Since purchase airbags light stays on reported this several times! Next engine oil has been leaking on hot parts of engine report to manufacturer and they are doing nothing this is my only vehicle! This could cause a fire! Several vehicles same year and model same problem!

NHTSA ODI 11619459

I was in a minor accident involving a small animal on [XXX] and there was not much damage done to it. After it got repaired a few months later the steering wheel started locking up on me so I had it towed down to Bob Johnson Ford in Pulaski NY. They couldn't diagnose the issue and said I was safe to drive it home. On the way home the steering wheel locked up while exiting the highway and caused me to run into a guard rail. (XXX) After it got repaired I thought it was fixed but months later it started locking up again. On [XXX] had it towed to Wally's ford in Adams ny. They also have not been able to diagnose the issue. I am trying to get Ford to buy back the car but they say it's outside the lemon law and to see if the insurance company can do anything about it. Ford and USAA both told me to not drive the vehicle but neither of them will give me a rental car. So I'm stuck between companies and have nothing to drive. Please help. The car is a 2022 Ford escape SEL, 28000 miles on it. Please contact me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11609873

Driver's side seat: I use heated seat at times along with a/c to help my lower back pain. On [XXX] I was using it. I moved my right leg as I was driving with cruise control and I felt some skin tear off of the back of my thigh. Of course, it hurt and I immediately put my hand down and the seat was ridiculously hot! I had to keep my hand cupped underneath as I pulled off on the next exit. My daughter, [XXX] , was with me to witness this. She took pics in the gas station bathroom. I had 3 blisters total and 1 had ripped open with the skin hanging on the side. I have diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Not a good combination with a defective heated seat that overheats to the point of blisters! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11601590

I was on the passenger rear side, lifting the lever to lay the back of the seat flat and forward while doing so I was slightly in the vehicle, trying to lift the lever. When all of a sudden the seat flew forward very rapidly like spring action, and the piece that holds the seatbelt at the top of the back of the seat, which is plastic, slammed into my bridge of my nose, causing a laceration and possible nose fracture.

NHTSA ODI 11589542

The brakes failed completely, the pedal touched the ground. It is currently getting inspected a ford dealership. The vehicle was unable to stop causing it to crash into my house. This could out the driver and passengers are risk if it occurred on a main road or highway. It has not been inspected yet. It is in the process. No. Not warning on the dash for brakes before or after the accident.

NHTSA ODI 11577317

I have a foot operated lift gate and I constantly have to find the exact spot for it to open. Twice it lifted and while I was putting groceries in the back it came back down on me. The first time in smacked the back of my head and left a big knot. The second time it caught my shoulder and then I was able to get out of the way. I thought if the lift gate touched something coming down that it would go back up. It is a 2022 and does not even have 3000 miles on it. No I have not contacted the dealer. I have been extremely ill and it slipped my mind. Thank you very much for a quick reply.

NHTSA ODI 11537765

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Airbags and Seatbelts failed in a T-bone accident on the Highway and am unsure if it available for review on the car do to insurance taking possession of car. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It did not restrain or protect me during accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It was confirmed by my insurance. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Insurance and Police Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No nothing was on the dash prior to crash

NHTSA ODI 11520783

The contact owned a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact heard two loud explosions, when the contact looked outside the vehicle was in flames, causing the siding of the contact's home siding to melt. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated, but the contact smelled an odor of fuel coming from the vehicle before the explosion. No one was injured and a police report was filed. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,500.

NHTSA ODI 11520472

I used to drive my Ford Escape just perfectly and I was happy. I liked it. One day in December 2022, I drove my car normally and perfectly during the day. Then, after work, I went to do my shopping. After I finished shopping, I drove my car again. I changed the cruise control settings. After less than a mile, I was tuning left at low and normal speed less than 10MPH. Suddenly, I found the car accelerated on its own and I lost the control of the wheel. I did not feel the pedals under my feet, no resistance. Every thing was out of my control. Then, the car hit a tree. Fortunately, no injury, I had a pain lasted for weeks, but no injury. There are huge smokes, but no fire. The car was declared as a total loss, and I lost a lot of money. After that I was curious what happened to me. I found complaints about Ford Escape, in which the drivers stating the same experience as mine. The accelerated on its own after adjusting the cruise control. That’s inspired me to complain and warn other driver about the safety of this car. I don’t know the main reason the car accelerated, but I hope it will be investigated. However, I found that Ford has a recall in the last week of November (a week before my accident) related to fuel injection. I searched again and I found that the problems on car’s computer, fuel injector or ECU could lead to uncontrolled amount of fuel passing to the engine and may cause acceleration or burn. I am very lucky that the acceleration didn’t hit people or the car burnt from speed and heat. Again, I don’t know what happened, but I hope it will be investigated to safe lives of others. Photos can be supported upon request. The car is now with the insurance company.

NHTSA ODI 11499831

On June 21 Inn the afternoon my wife and I were driving on I-94 near Minneapolis, MN in a rental car. Suddenly the car started accelerating on its own – and the acceleration was aggressive (“pedal to the metal” type acceleration). I hit the brakes but nothing happened. As the car continued to accelerate I pumped the brakes taped on the accelerator and hit the ignition switch but nothing would slow the car. I could see congestion further ahead of us with slow moving vehicles and all lanes occupied. I started looking for an escape route – one that would hopefully enable us to survive while not hurting/injuring others. To my right I saw a an entry or exit ramp and on the other side of the ramp was an embankment. I turned toward the embankment, crossing the ramp and going up the embankment not knowing what was on the other side of it. I must have been going at least 100 mph when I topped the embankment. As we went over the embankment I looked down and saw a parking lot that looked vacant. It seemed to me that the parking lot was 6-8 feet below us (the EMT later said it was 10-12 ft). We both lost consciousness when we hit the ground in the parking lot (and the air bags deployed). When we regained consciousness we had hit an object in the parking lot. The rescue squad arrived soon thereafter. An hour earlier that afternoon I was adjusting the cruise control when suddenly the car accelerated unexpectedly. I hit the brakes and the cruise control went off as it should. I then attempted to adjust it again and again the car accelerated unexpectedly. This time when I hit the brakes the car continued to accelerate. I pumped the brakes but the acceleration continued. The car finally stopped accelerating when I turned the cruise control off. I wondered if I should continue using the cruise control since it had malfunctioned but decided to try it and it seemed to be working so I continued on using the cruise control. In hindsight that was a serious mistake.

NHTSA ODI 11479944