⌘K
Find a vehicleRecallsCompareNewsPricing
Look one up
VIN decoderTrouble codesProblems by systemService bulletinsInvestigations
Browse the record
GuidesRankingsAll makesDriver-assist crashesWhat is in the dataWarranty extensions
Tools & data
Recall WatchFleet VIN checkRecall disclosure formCar crosswordCost calculatorsTitle brandsAPI & data
Account
Sign inGarage
Home›Ford›Ford Escape› fuel system problems
Owner complaints · Fuel/Propulsion System · every model year

Ford Escape fuel system problems, 2016–2026

639 of the 9,226 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Escape 2016–2026 name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). The loudest years: 2020 (202), 2017 (95), 2022 (92). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 6 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

639 complaints, 11 model years 7% of everything filed about the Escape typically at 63k miles

Ford Escape fuel system problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model yearComplaints naming the fuel systemShare of the year’sTypically atOn file under the heading
2026125%—7 TSBsthe year →
2025310%—9 TSBsthe year →
202478%—8 TSBs · 1 recallthe year →
202386%—2 recallsthe year →
2022 in depth9224%49k4 recalls · 1 investigationthe record →
2021 in depth8116%—4 recalls · 1 investigationthe record →
2020 in depth20211%47k3 recallsthe record →
2019254%——the year →
2018553%108k—the year →
2017954%70k—the year →
2016706%70k—the year →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the fuel system. Nothing here is a rate.

Advertisement

When the fuel system complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database
639complaints name the fuel system, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 25 · 2019: 20 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 24 · 2023: 127 · 2024: 67 · 2025: 170 · 2026: 180

63kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 177 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 39,000 and 82,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

While filling the gas tank with fuel the fuel spits back causing an unsafe condition. There is a technical service bulletin for this by Ford (number 22-2433), but no recall. Many people have complained about this condition
Fuel/Propulsion System Nov 22, 2024 NHTSA owner report
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle at the gas station, fuel was splashing out of the fuel filler neck. The contact stated that upon attempting to refuel the vehicle again, the gas pump nozzle unintendedly stopped several times and fuel splashed onto the contact; however, the fuel tank was…
Fuel/Propulsion System at 43,578 miles Aug 14, 2024 NHTSA owner report
My 2017 Ford Escape’s check engine light turned on 02/24/2022. The next day I fueled up the vehicle and when I attempted to start vehicle it misfired and I had to try starting it multiple times. I went to Auto zone to have the light read and was told error code P1450 was the reason for issues.
Fuel/Propulsion System Mar 21, 2022 NHTSA owner report
The purge valve sylanoid is malfunctioning. Every dealership and auto store in my town is out of the part and backordered, which tells me this is a common problem
Fuel/Propulsion System Jun 1, 2021 NHTSA owner report
I responded several times to ford's letters (ford customer relationship center), including today and was told "ford will not fix the problem at this time" putting my family's life at risk, especially our 2 year old son that the engine can go on fire. should i take legal action?
Fuel/Propulsion System Oct 28, 2024 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the fuel system, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

NHTSA investigations

1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year

Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.

Other systems with a record on the Ford Escape

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Ford Escape problems by year →

From here
Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Ford Escape years have the most fuel system complaints?

2020, 202; 2017, 95; 2022, 92. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (25%).

Is there a recall for the fuel system on the Ford Escape?

Yes — 6 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V467000 (2022), 25V165000 (2022), 24V634000 (2024), 24V187000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do fuel system problems show up on the Ford Escape?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 63,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 39,000 and 82,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?

Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.