THINK TWICE

The 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder's defining safety defect on this Escape is an under-hood FIRE risk from a cracked fuel injector, not a cracked block. Per Ford recall 22V859000 (Ford 22S73), on 2020-2023 Escape (and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport) vehicles with the 1.5L engine a fuel injector can crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment, and that fuel near an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire; Ford's remedy is an engine-control software update adding fuel-injector leak detection plus a drain tube. That campaign absorbed the earlier 22V191000 (the 1.5L engine oil separator housing can crack and develop an OIL leak), and the injector defect was re-addressed in later campaigns 24V187000 and 25V467000. There is no coolant-intrusion or cracked-block recall on the Escape 1.5L in the federal record -- the mechanism here is a cracked injector (fuel) and a cracked oil separator housing (oil).

Check — On any 1.5L Escape, VIN-check that the fuel-injector fire recall (22V859000 / 22S73 and its follow-ons 24V187000, 25V467000) and the oil-separator recall (rolled into 22V859000) are complete, with the software update AND the drain tube installed. Look for a fuel smell in the engine bay, prior under-hood fire or heat damage, or injector/oil-separator replacement history. Walk away from any 1.5L with an open fuel-injector fire recall.

On hybrid and plug-in Escapes the 2.5L Atkinson four carries its own under-hood fire recall, distinct from the 1.5L injector defect. Per Ford recall 22V484000, on 2020-2022 Escape vehicles with the 2.5L HEV or PHEV engine, in the event of an ENGINE FAILURE engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine-compartment fire. Ford expanded the population to 2020-2023 under 23V380000, and then issued 25V345000 for vehicles that were repaired INCORRECTLY under 23V380000 -- so a completed 23V380 remedy is not automatically the right one. The trigger is a hybrid engine failure, so cooling-system and engine health matter as much as the paperwork.

Check — On any Escape Hybrid or PHEV, VIN-check that 22V484000 and 23V380000 are complete AND that the vehicle is not among those recalled under 25V345000 for a faulty 23V380 repair. Look for engine-failure or overheating history, a burning smell, or under-hood scorching; treat an open hybrid fire recall as a stop.

The 4th-gen Escape carries two powertrain recalls that end in a sudden loss of drive power. Recall 24V330000 (Ford 24S33): on 2020-2022 Escape hybrids the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power and an increased crash risk; the remedy is an HPCM software update. Recall 20V550000 (Ford 20S49): on 2020 Escape the start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and progress to a loss of transmission function -- and a transmission fluid leak near an ignition source can also increase the risk of a fire; the remedy replaces the start/stop accumulator. POWER TRAIN is a top complaint category on this generation, echoing unexpected shifts, hesitation, and loss of power.

Check — VIN-check 24V330000 (HPCM software) on a hybrid and 20V550000 on a 2020 car. On the test drive, watch for an unexpected shift to neutral or loss of drive power, harsh or delayed shifts, and any transmission-fluid weeping under the vehicle.

Beyond the 1.5L injector fire recall, two more fuel-system recalls hit this generation. Recall 21V625000 (Ford 21S38): on 2021 Escape the fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure that could result in an engine stall and an increased crash risk; the remedy replaces the fuel delivery module. Recall 24V634000 (Ford 24S54): on 2023-2024 Escape the fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak, and a fuel leak near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire; the remedy installs new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs. FUEL SYSTEM complaints on the generation echo stalling, hard starts, and fuel-pressure faults.

Check — VIN-check 21V625000 (2021) and 24V634000 (2023-2024). Watch for stalling, hard or no-start, low-fuel-pressure symptoms, and any fuel smell in the engine bay; confirm the fuel delivery module or injector O-ring work was completed where it applies.