2022 Ford Escape: engine and transmission complaints
ELEVATED COMPLAINT SIGNAL
35%
101 of 297 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
35% of relevant owner complaints on the 2022 Ford Escape are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is elevated. Worth an independent inspection before you commit to one.
Better than 61% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
POWER TRAIN09/07/2026
There are no warning lamps on at this time but the transmission is not shifting at the right points. It seems to search a lot for the right gear. Also half the time you hit the gas there is severe transmission lag. It makes it dangerous to pull into traffic. I first had the transmission replaced at roughly 36000 miles.…
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM07/27/2026
Ford refuses to fix this recall for over a year I am stuck with a car I cannot sell because dealer will not honor recall.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM07/26/2026
This recall has been in effect for over a year now with no remedy available. I have issues with my engine starting, engine staying running, acceleration during turning, etc. due to this recall. It is extremely unsafe and no remedy being available after a year is very disappointing and puts me in harm everyday.
Three of 101 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (19)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affec…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Corsair and 2021-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain. The high voltage battery may fail, resu…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crac…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2022 Ford Escape
Ask the seller whether the engine has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many engine faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the engine.
19 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A engine already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.