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

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

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