2020–2022 Ford Escape: Fuel smell or fire risk (1.5L fuel injector recall)
Likely causes, ranked
- Cracked fuel injector$0–$0Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A raw fuel smell, a reduced-power warning from the leak-detection software, or smoke from the engine bay.
Likely causes
- Cracked fuel injector. Ford's remedy has changed over time, from software and a drain tube to new injectors and a new fuel rail.
DIY or shop?
Dealer. Recall repairs are free.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN for all three campaigns.
- Stop and shut the engine off if you smell fuel.
Vehicle focus: 2020–2022 Ford Escape.
Safety / mechanic note
Fuel leaks near hot parts can start a fire. Don't keep driving with a fuel smell. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 22V859000 2020–2023 Escape and Bronco Sport 1.5L: a fuel injector can crack and leak fuel under the hood. Dealers add leak-detection software and a drain tube. Details
- 25V165000 2020–2022 Escape cars repaired incorrectly under the earlier recall get a further software update. Details
- 25V467000 2020–2022 Escape and 2021–2024 Bronco Sport 1.5L: dealers update software and replace the high-pressure fuel rail and injectors. Details
NHTSA complaints: 155 keyword-matched complaints for Ford ESCAPE 2020–2022 (of 2,091 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.