Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 33% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 7% | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 87 | 37% | 49,000 miles |
| 2021 | 73 | 21% | 70,000 miles |
| 2020 | 197 | 12% | 53,000 miles |
| 2019 | 26 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 2018 | 57 | 3% | 109,000 miles |
| 2017 | 95 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 71 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 57 | 5% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 137 | 7% | 72,000 miles |
| 2013 | 287 | 10% | 76,000 miles |
| 2012 | 160 | 26% | 54,000 miles |
| 2011 | 284 | 22% | 49,000 miles |
| 2010 | 507 | 24% | 57,000 miles |
| 2009 | 203 | 12% | 69,000 miles |
| 2008 | 62 | 3% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 38 | 8% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 64 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 2004 | 17 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2002 | 37 | 4% | 109,000 miles |
| 2001 | 55 | 6% | 46,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I stopped one day to get some gas and when I tried to start my 2024 Ford escape back up it failed to turn over. I started to get notices from my Ford pass app stating that I was having some issues with my turbine. The vehicle was leaving me stranded every time I tried to start it and it would try to stall on me. The engine didn't seem like it had enough power to run at a proper and normal status as an engine should properly run. When I would start the vehicle it would only start one time and then proceeded to stall on me and leave me stranded everywhere I went. The problem was never fixed. Then the dash lights started to tell me that the driver needed rest and flash a coffee cup in front of my eyes after I just got in the vehicle about 5 minutes before the lights came on. There was an awful smell that came out of the engine. …
Upon exiting a shopping center parking lot, I turned right onto a street which led up to a 1-lane construction site. I was travelling approximately 15 miles per hour, and drove approximately 50 feet when the car suddenly stalled. No fuel response to gas pedal. It still had momentum, and I was able to steer into a safe side spot. I sat there stunned. The car was still in drive gear. I put it into park and turned the car off. After another 1 or 2 minutes, I turned the car on again, and was able to drive it home another 2 miles. I did not have to drive through the construction zone. Had I been in the one lane construction, I could have been rear-ended because a stopped car would not have been expected by drivers behind me. It could have caused severe injury or even death to myself and/or driver coming behind me. This happened on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at about 2:30 pm. …
As I was driving home with about 5 minutes to go, in my brand new (2 week old)2023 Ford Escape, I smelled something burning. I pulled over and saw smoke so I turned off the car and got out. As I got out of the car I looked under and saw fire. I got away from the car and as I did, the fire kept growing and growing from under the hood. The fire went high enough to hit the trees on the side of the roasd. The police and fire department came and were able to put out the fire but not before the car was distroyed. There were no warning lights or any other symtoms of a problem prior to smelling burning. The Ford company has not responded to me from the day my wife spoke to a representative on Monday, October 2nd. The car fire was on Saturday, September 30th. It's been 3 days. My insurance company was going to do an inspection. Ford wants nothing to do with us. …
Purchased brand new 11/2023, immediately started with electrical problems 01/2024, also would put car in reverse and car would cut off, was dropped off at service but never given a reason for the issue or a repair. 01/2025 car had acceleration issues, dropped off at service and was given a rental and given car back with no explanation. 6/2025 car went into limp mode and was towed to service where they found shards of metal throughout motor, replaced motor and then started having problems with cab filling with exhaust, was told they had no rental available and could continue to drive the car with my baby in it, then told was just a gasket needed to be replaced, car had same issue immediately, returned back to service where the turbo then needed to be replaced as well as catalytic converter gasket, after repair, called numerous times complaining that car would shift very hard and wouldn't …
I am writing to formally demand immediate action regarding my 2022 Ford Escape, VIN [redacted] 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 [redacted] and again on [redacted], 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 contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle at the gas station, the vehicle failed to start immediately on several occasions. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. Additionally, while driving approximately 7-8 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle stalled. The message "Car Automatically Shifts to Park" was displayed. The contact shifted to park(P). The vehicle was restarted after a minute, and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where Diagnostic Trouble Codes for the fuel injectors were retrieved. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 10 MPH, a fuel odor had begun to leak into the interior cabin before the engine caught on fire. The A/C was activated during the time of the failure. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to extinguish the fire, she fell on her stomach while pregnant, causing a miscarriage for which medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. A Fire report was filed. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated that a nearby school bus provided a fire extinguisher for the contact to extinguish the fire. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle's engine was replaced a the local dealer prior to the fire however soon noticed the vehicle was still not operating as normal. The dealer was notified but declined to provide a loaner vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after an oil change at Firestone, the vehicle failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure persisted. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who refused to repair the vehicle, stating that the vehicle had already been repaired. The contact's son noticed that a cover was missing under the steering wheel, and an unknown part was fractured. The dealer denied any wrongdoing. …
Related recalls (14)
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 24, 2024.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge.
Show 9 more recalls
Hybrid propulsion system
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, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters (remedy not available) were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 14, 2021.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.
Hybrid propulsion system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured May 1, 2014, to May 24, 2014, 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured on June 6, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 7, 2014.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S20.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine subject to prior safety recall NHTSA 12V-336.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the engine compartment fuel line, and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. An interim notice will be mailed to owners during January 2014.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012, and equipped with a 1.6L engine. These vehicles have an engine compartment fuel line which may split, resulting in a leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify and instruct owners to stop driving their vehicles and contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange pick-up of their vehicle. Customers will be provided with a rental vehicle if needed.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The o-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the outlet end of the fuel filter were damaged when the line was connected to the filter during vehicle assembly. In some cases, this damage could result in a fuel odor, or possibly in fuel dripping from the connection.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel line. Owner notification began September 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
NHTSA investigations
Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale
NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether Healey Brothers Ford, LLC of Beacon, New York, has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and in turn that a dealer not deliver…
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak
On April 11, 2024, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation ("ODI") opened this Recall Query ("RQ") to investigate the adequacy of, including various safety concerns associated with, the remedy program in recalls 22V-859 (filed Nov. 18, 2022) and 24V-187 (filed Mar. 8, 2024).
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (507), 2013 (287), 2011 (284), 2009 (203) and 2020 (197) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape fuel system problems?
Yes — 14 recalls, including 25V-467 (fuel injection system, Jul 11, 2025); 25V-165 (fuel injection system, Mar 14, 2025); 24V-634 (injectors, Aug 23, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escape fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (21 mentions), followed by the fuel injection system (20).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.