2022 Ford Escape Phev

I own a 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, which is affected by Recall 24S79 (NHTSA Recall 24V954). This recall involves a high-voltage battery defect that could result in a fire or sudden loss of vehicle control while driving. Ford has confirmed that there is no fix available until at least the second quarter of 2025, leaving affected owners without a solution for well over a year. However, Ford refuses to provide loaner vehicles, rental reimbursement, or any safe alternative for customers forced to continue driving these potentially dangerous vehicles. I have contacted multiple dealerships (Fort Collins Ford and Loveland Ford), and both confirmed that no loaner vehicles are available. Ford’s customer service continues to redirect me back to the dealership without resolution, despite the fact that my dealership has no assistance to offer. While I have not yet experienced a battery fire or loss of vehicle control, the recall documentation explicitly states that these are potential risks. It is only a matter of time before a fire or serious accident occurs due to Ford’s inaction. Ford is placing thousands of affected drivers at risk by failing to provide a fix, alternative transportation, or any safety plan for affected customers. I urge NHTSA to investigate Ford’s lack of action and failure to protect affected vehicle owners. Ford should be required to provide loaner vehicles or rental reimbursement until a remedy is available.

I think this is related to NHTSA Recall 24V954. I experience loss of driving power at various times. This started about three months ago. It is intermittent. It used to be once or twice a week. Lately it is happening almost every day. Sometimes it is a minor annoyance, but sometimes it can result in a serious safety issue. When in electric mode, the car will suddenly lose driving power. Other power, such as radio, lights, etc., are not affected. This is most common when the car is stopped, e.g. at a red light, or driving at low speeds, when the car is often in EV mode. For example, if I’m at a red light, when the light turns green I press the accelerator but they car doesn’t respond, no power. Or, if I’m driving at low speed in EV mode the car will suddenly lose power and glide to a stop. The only way to resolve this is to come to a full stop, turn off the car and then turn it on again. The reason I am writing is to reinforce that it can be a serious safety issue. I can give three examples. 1) January 15 I was driving in the right lane on an interstate highway, moving slowly due to congestion. I lost power and glided to a complete stop, in traffic. There was no shoulder. Cars were merging in and out of my lane to avoid me. I had to completely turn off the car and turn it on again. 2) January 22, while stopped at a red light, I pulled into the intersection when the light turned green, only to have the car die in the intersection. 3) January 22, same as example 2, but at a stop sign. The letter from Ford says there is no remedy yet, at least not until Q2 of 2025, but they have not issued instructions to stop driving the vehicle. I believe that this safety issue is serious enough that a stop should be issued. I personally will not drive this vehicle until the repair can be made.

Slippery Drive Mode was On. EV Mode was On. Was driving slowly up a snowy driveway, the car lost traction and the car became completely inoperable and immobilized, including: - Car could not be turned off or on via Start Stop button - Car could not shift out of Park - Car could not change drive modes - Car could not change out of EV Mode It was completely inoperable and impossible to move out of harm's way or shut down so it just sat there and drained the battery. Fortunately, an auto-shutdown sequence occurred when the battery was low which automatically turned off the car after manual attempts failed. Only after the car auto-shutdown could I start the car again and move it out of park to get out of harm's way. There was no collision or impact. The car never left the asphalt. After it restarted, I could drive the vehicle with seemingly no impairment. It spit out >20 codes, all of which are attached in a DTC report.

Power steering on the vehicle failed without any warning or notice. It happened just as car was being parked. If the incident had happened while driving, our family would have been in grave danger. This is the second major issue with the relatively new car, in addition to the two safety recalls. Ford should be held accountable for faulty engineering that is unsafe and could take lives.

I don't do much interstate/expressway driving but after an 80 mile trip yesterday, my ears last night had tinnitus hiss and it continues today, The sound inside the car was a continuous loud medium high-pitched sound. This vehicle's engine is noisy as you pick up speed but not unacceptable. This sound was eminating from the road and amplified through the vehicle chassis and interior driving chamber and easily cancelled out any noise coming from the engine compartment. This sound was high enough that a horn or siren could be canceled out unless right on a tight perimeter of the car.