2022 Ford Explorer Filler Pipe and Cap Recall (22V088)
Ford Motor Company · 18,366 vehicles · Reported February 16, 2022
Ford Motor Company is recalling 18,366 2022 Ford Explorer; 2022 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity." A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V088 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V088000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 22C02 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 16, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2022 Ford Explorer; 2022 Lincoln Aviator |
| Units affected | 18,366 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline > Storage > Tank Assembly > Filler Pipe And Cap |
| Safety risk | A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022 Ford Explorer in recall 22V088?
The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Is it safe to drive a 2022 Explorer with recall 22V088?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Explorer shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the filler pipe and cap, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V088?
Recall 22V088 covers 18,366 vehicles: 2022 Ford Explorer; 2022 Lincoln Aviator.
NHTSA lists 18,366 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ford | Explorer |
| 2022 | Lincoln | Aviator |
What is the fix for the Explorer filler pipe and cap recall?
Yes. Dealers will install a fuel vapor line redundant locking clip, free of charge.
Dealers will install a fuel vapor line redundant locking clip, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C02.
When was recall 22V088 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 22V088 to NHTSA on February 16, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2022 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V088000. |
| April 4, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 56 months ago. If your Explorer was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Explorer is part of recall 22V088?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V088 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2022 Explorer vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 22V088?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V088000 applies to your Explorer.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the filler pipe and cap happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Explorer owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 312 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 45 of them about the fuel system.
Since recall 22V088 was reported on February 16, 2022, owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 6 of them (13%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the fuel system and were received on or after February 16, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related fuel system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 312 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 45 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Ford Explorer: 267 complaints in total, 36 about the fuel system
- 2022 Lincoln Aviator: 45 complaints in total, 9 about the fuel system
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the "Service Engine Soon" message was displayed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
2022 Ford Explorer owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11677886, filed August 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
2022 Ford Explorer owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11690778, filed October 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence.
2022 Ford Explorer owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11698551, filed November 10, 2025
Can recall 22V088 make my Explorer a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Fuel pump and fuel line defects can cause the 2022 Ford Explorer to stall without warning. If it happens again after the recall repair, document it and return to the dealer.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022 Ford Explorer has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Explorer been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Explorer recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V088
Did the recall 22V088 fix work?
Since recall 22V088 was reported on February 16, 2022, owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 6 of them (13%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 22V088000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Explorer is part of recall 22V088000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V088000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford, Lincoln. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.