2022 Ford Escape Hybrid

"While driving my 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid, the vehicle suffered an abrupt powertrain failure. A wrench icon and check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle immediately dropped into a low-speed mode that severely limited my throttle control on the road. I was unable to drive home and had to leave the vehicle on the road until I could get a tow. The vehicle is currently grounded and unsafe to operate at a Ford dealership lot. Ford customer service is actively refusing to authorize alternative transportation or honor the extended coverage parameters outlined in Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06, which covers this exact engine defect."

On 20 July 2026, my 2022 Ford Escape HEV caught fire in the engine compartment while parked. The vehicle is likely a total loss (insurance pending). On-site emergency personnel responded within minutes of the fire and the local fire department was on scene within 5 minutes of the 911 call. They cleared the incident (and d/c the 12V) within 32 minutes of arrival. Detroit Fire Department Incident: 202620101471. This vehicle was subject to Ford Safety Recall 23S27 and Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06, which address a manufacturing defect in the 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine. Under that recall, connecting rod bearing journals were not properly finished, causing premature bearing and engine failure that can release engine oil and fuel vapor into the under-hood area resulting in a fire. The recall remedy was completed on my vehicle, as were all customer satisfaction program campaigns. The dealer performed the PCM software update, which is intended to detect early signs of bearing failure through diagnostic trouble codes (P1061 and P032F) so the failure can be caught before an engine breach occurs. The engine long block was NOT replaced. Under Ford's own criteria, long block replacement was only authorized if the vehicle exhibited loud metal-to-metal clanking noises, a loss of torque, or the associated diagnostic codes. Dealership personnel assured me an engine light would illuminate and I would have time to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road. My vehicle did not have any warnings: no clanking, loss of torque, or leaks-no diagnostic warnings of any kind before the fire. The recall remedy did not prevent the exact failure it was designed to prevent--Ford's response was inadequate to protect owners. My NHTSA VIN lookup shows no open recalls. I completed every recall and CSP Ford issued. I have complete dealer service records for this vehicle, photos of the damage, hi-res surveillance video is saved at work, as well. The vehicle is intact and has not been salvaged.

The vehicle was being flat towed which had been set to Neutral tow position, per Ford’s published procedure. After driving 5-7 miles from Old Orchard Beach, ME to Foxboro, MA we stopped at a stoplight. We turned right after coming to a complete stop. The front wheels locked up. We traveled about 20 yards to safely avoid any traffic issues. The vehicle had reset the transmission to Park. A set of tires on the front axle were flat spotted. The car was not running. The vehicle was dropped at a Ford dealer and the service technician informed me that there were several software updates that needed done including one to the Gateway System that could have caused my problem

In March 7: Received vehicle alert from Ford PASS , "WARNING MESSAGE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS DETECTED THE ENGINE TIMING CHAINS EXCEEDED 95% OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE AND REQUIRES SERVICE NOW. THE CONTROL SYSTEM INVOKES A SYMPTOM OF LIMITED POWER" while I was driving in highway I5 at WA. The vehicle suddenly slow down itself and lost of acceleration. Took to the dealership ans they could not identified issue. Reset the code and returned the car back to me. In May 12: Same symptom happened again. Took to the dealership next day and the technician did see the issue since the Service Ranch icon was shown on the screen. The service advisor said they contacted Ford Engineering to see how to fix but no result. They reset the code and I brought the car back while they are still waiting form Ford engineering.