This bulletin supersedes 26-2194. Reason for update: update the Parts list to correct a part description " Loctite 638", update the claim quantity for the drain/fill plug, update the claim quantity of the wheel hub bolts (Corsair) and limited the parts list for Edge/Nautilus to only the rear drive unit fluid. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder chatter condition, most noticeable at low speeds turning No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present This may be due to internal rear drive unit (RDU) fluid contamination.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Ford Escape powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Ford Escape have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Escape | 253 |
| 2019 Escape | 113 |
| 2020 Escape | 219 |
| 2021 Escape | 35 |
| 2022 Escape (this page) | 27 |
| 2023 Escape | 18 |
When does it fail?
Of the 27 powertrain complaints filed for the 2022 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). Sometimes, this may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to the torque converter. If Pinpoint Test K: Torque Converter Clutch Operation in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing > Diagnosis by Symptom directs to replace the torque converter, remove and replace the torque converter and torque converter seal. Refer to WSM, Section 307-01 > Removal and Insta
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2026 Corsair/Escape, 2021-2026 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit a shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h), with no relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). Sometimes, this may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to the torque converter. If Pinpoint Test K: Torque Converter Clutch Operation in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing > Diagnosis by Symptom directs to replace the torque converter, remove and replace the torque converter and torque converter seal. Refer to WSM, Section 307-01 > Removal and Insta
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin supersedes 25-2627. Reason for update: To add a Step to reprogram the all-wheel drive (AWD) module for Bronco Sport vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder chatter condition, most noticeable at low speeds turning No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present This may be due to internal rear drive unit (RDU) fluid contamination.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2026 Escape and 2021-2026 Corsair vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine may exhibit a fuel door that won't open with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04CA stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to an open circuit on circuit SBB05 and/or a damaged splice S133. Before performing the pinpoint test for P04CA in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 310-00, inspect circuit SBB05 and splice S133 for damage such as an open circuit. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 005. If no damage is found, refer to WSM, Section 310-00 for normal diagnostics. For claiming use causal 14290 and labor operations 12650D, 12650D45, and 12650D45WR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 Ford Escapes describe a pattern of transmission and powertrain failures starting well within warranty period. The most alarming issue is spontaneous shifting to neutral at highway speeds—one owner lost power at 35 mph while carrying family, another at 55–60 mph. Vehicles get stuck in single gears (particularly 6th gear on highways) and require restart or mode switching to recover.
Hard shifts and jerking between lower gears appear frequently, sometimes accompanied by elevated RPMs while the vehicle decelerates. Transmission selector lights blink or refuse to engage, leaving vehicles immobilized. Several owners report transmission slipping, with dealers diagnosing torque converter, valve body, and clutch failures. Full transmission replacement is common; estimates run $9,500 or more.
Powertrain warning lights illuminate, triggering limp mode and power loss at speed. One owner describes finding metal pieces in the oil during sensor diagnostics, with engine replacement now under evaluation. Brake squealing persists despite dealer visits, and exhaust noise suggests phantom holes in the system.
Ford's PCM control module recall (25V-467) sits on parts backorder with only temporary fixes available. Several owners are denied warranty coverage due to mileage limits applied to recalls, or find themselves beyond the warranty period. Dealers cannot provide loaners, and appointment scheduling extends weeks out.
Same Ford Escape powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission stuck in gear / failure to shift
Vehicle becomes stuck in a single gear—most often reported in 6th gear on highway—or cannot shift out of gears 1-4. Owners report inability to upshift or downshift, requiring vehicle restart or mode switching to resume normal shifting.
When: Between 5,500 miles and 126,000 miles; some reports at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stuck in single gear; Loss of upshift/downshift capability; Violent lurching or jerking when stuck; No warning lights in some instances; Requires restart or mode switching to recover
Codes mentioned: P068A
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuild under warranty at 48,000 miles; full transmission replacement estimates cited ($9,500 in one case). Some owners out of warranty faced denial. Components failed included torque converter, valve body, and clutch.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23S27 identified for transmission-related powertrain fault in one case. Ford PCM control module recall (25V-467, Ford Recall Number: 24S55) mentioned; parts shortage and only temporary fix available. Some owners denied warranty coverage; one offered small trade-in allowance instead of repair.
Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly
Vehicle shifts into neutral without driver input while driving at various speeds, including highway speeds. Loss of propulsion occurs; vehicle may lunge or jerk. Some instances require vehicle restart to restore drive.
When: Reported between 1 year and 2 years of ownership; one incident repeated twice within ~1 year
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous shift to neutral; Loss of motive power; Lurching or jerking forward; Vehicle unable to return to drive gear without restart; Incidents at 35 mph, 55–60 mph, and highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required in at least one case. In one instance, owner unable to reverse after neutral shift without multiple vehicle restarts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to replicate issue in initial visit. One owner noted recall 23S27 may be related; Ford issued related recall but applied 70,000-mile or 7-year limit, denying coverage to owners over mileage.
Hard shifts and transmission hesitation
Transmission exhibits rough, jerky, or hesitant shifts; may include failure to respond to accelerator input. Vehicle jerks while shifting into intended gear, with RPMs elevated but vehicle decelerating.
When: At highway speeds (55–60 mph documented); rough shifting in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears reported at 48,000 miles and lower mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifts between gears; Hesitation while shifting into intended gear; Jerking during gear changes; Elevated RPMs without acceleration; Vehicle deceleration while accelerator depressed; Rough 1st–3rd gear shifting
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission diagnosed as slipping and requiring replacement. Torque converter, valve body, and clutch components failed. One owner requested transmission fluid flush at 30,000 miles but was told 8-speed transmissions use lifetime fluid.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission rebuild completed under warranty at 48,000 miles in one case. One owner pursued Ally Protect insurance claim when Ford refused to cover full cost.
Powertrain warning light and loss of power
Powertrain warning light illuminates; vehicle experiences power loss, reduce-power limp mode, or notification via Ford mobile app of powertrain malfunction and reduced power. Vehicle may lose propulsion temporarily at highway speeds.
When: Reported from 23,000 miles onward; one case at very early mileage (5,503 miles with violent lurch)
Symptoms owners cite: Powertrain warning light illuminated; Loss of power while accelerating; Reduce-power mode activation; Ford mobile app notification of powertrain fault; Four-wheel-drive fault notification; Vehicle requires shutdown and restart to restore power
Repairs/costs cited: One owner with metal pieces found in oil during crank sensor diagnostic; engine replacement being evaluated. Other owners did not pursue repair; one owner still awaiting transmission shop diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PCM control module recall 25V-467 (Ford Recall Number: 24S55) identified; parts on backorder, only temporary fix available. Owner advised of buyback program option (not pursued).
Failure to shift into park
Vehicle will not shift into park gear; 'Powertrain Fault' message displays. Shifting into park becomes a regular recurring failure. May be accompanied by hard shifting between lower gears.
When: Documented at 81,000 miles in one case; another case at undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift into park; Powertrain Fault warning message; Service Powertrain warning light illuminated; Hard shifting between 1st and 2nd gear (in one case); Automatic parking brake engagement
Codes mentioned: P068A
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement in at least one case. One owner denied warranty coverage due to mileage exceeding 70,000 miles, despite vehicle being within 7-year recall window.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related recall identified (23S27); manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline. Another owner noted Ford issued recall with 70,000-mile limit, resulting in denial despite 7-year eligibility.
Squealing brakes and rear backup squeal
Vehicle exhibits squealing during braking (any brake use) and high-pitched squealing when backing up. Despite multiple dealership visits, issue persists.
When: Present from early ownership; one documented at 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing during backup; Squealing with any brake application; Persistence despite dealer service attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Owner took vehicle to Ford dealership 3–4 times without resolution.
Engine noise, grinding, and exhaust anomalies
Vehicle produces abnormal grinding sound while driving; exhaust sounds like there is a hole despite intact exhaust system. One case includes abnormal popping sound with unknown warning light.
When: Reported at 25,000 miles and 8,000 miles; another case at undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding sound while driving; False exhaust hole sound (no actual hole present); Abnormal popping sound; Loud humming sound in reverse; Unknown warning light illuminated (in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved metal pieces found in oil; crank sensor cleaning and oil change completed, but engine replacement under evaluation. Other cases not diagnosed or repaired.
Check engine light and emission system faults
Check engine light illuminates due to purge valve seal failure, O2 sensor failure, or crank sensor issues. Vehicle struggles to start after refueling in one case.
When: Reported at 20,000 miles and 34,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Struggle to start after refueling (purge valve fault); Vehicle sluggish on acceleration; O2 sensor fault codes; Emission test failure indicated
Codes mentioned: P068A
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve replaced by dealer; O2 sensor diagnosed as secondary fault. One owner required oil change after metal debris found in oil.
Transmission selector blinking and refusal to engage gear
Transmission selector light blinks on and off; vehicle refuses to engage gear or shifts erratically. Vehicle may become stuck in 4th gear without ability to shift, creating dangerous traffic situation.
When: Reported at 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission selector light blinking; Failure to engage selected gear; Erratic transmission behavior; Stuck in 4th gear unable to shift; Vehicle immobilized in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement needed; owner lacking funds. Dealership refused repair; independent transmission shop evaluating replacement cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed transmission failure and replacement needed. Ford offered only $7,000 trade-in allowance; owner out of warranty (5,000 miles past limit at 65,000 miles).
Transmission slipping and loss of acceleration response
Transmission slips out of gear during acceleration or while driving. Vehicle fails to respond to accelerator pedal input; owner reports needing to press brake pedal very hard to stop, with delayed stopping response.
When: Reported at 126,000 miles and other undisclosed mileages; brake issue noted at 81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips out of gear; Loss of motive power; No warning light illuminated (in some cases); Vehicle unresponsive to accelerator; Hard brake pedal pressure required; Delayed stopping response
Repairs/costs cited: One case resulted in no repair; owner did not pursue dealer diagnosis. Brake-related issues emerging as secondary concern.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case not covered under warranty (105,000 miles).
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon arriving at her destination, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The message "Powertrain Fault" was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The “Service Powertrain” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer,…
A car started jerking erratically. I put it in, drive or reverse. And the light on the transmission selector would just blink on and off and it would not go in gear when it did finally go in gear. It would not shift out of fourth gear. We'll erratic transmission would not shift cars behind me had to hit their brakes. Because my vehicle would not move very dangerous. I took the vehicle in the…
Very strong smell of gas in my car , affecting me badly , got sick and threw up and took car in , and ford changed my catalyst convertor among other things , no lights lit up for anything , the smell that was there is why I took it in and they kept the car until fixed and picked up , now I don’t feel safe , I have a 2022 ford escape 34000 miles and have had multiple serious recalls and very…
Will not shift into park. Code is P068A on reader. When it started not going into park, it started shifting really hard between 1st and 2nd gear. When came to a stop, tried to put the vehicle in park and it automatically put the parking brake on. When the shop looked up recalls, they told me Ford had issued a recall that may be related but put a 70,000 mile or 7 year limit on it. My vehicle meets…
April 2024 - While driving to work, I stopped at a stop sign. When I went to turn, the car went into neutral. I had to turn the car off and restart before I could change the gears. I took it to the dealer who stated they could not get the vehicle to replicate what happened and to keep eye on it. November 22, 2024 on my way home as I was exiting off the highway, the vehicle starting lunging then…
Powertrain malfunction/ reduce power. My safety was fine, it just gave me really bad anxiety when the the gears shift shifted on its own. The problem was finally fixed it started literally less than five days after I bought my car and I bought my car brand new it took the dealership almost 2 years to believe me on what was wrong with it then of course I try to get blamed when I showed them…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2022 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 27 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 52,643 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.