2022 Ford Explorer Fuel Line Recall (22V685)
Ford Motor Company · 69 vehicles · Reported September 14, 2022
Ford Motor Company is recalling 69 2022 Ford Explorer; 2022 Ford Ranger vehicles. 3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection. An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V685 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V685000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 22S60 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | September 14, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2022 Ford Explorer; 2022 Ford Ranger |
| Units affected | 69 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline > Delivery > Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings |
| Safety risk | An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022 Ford Explorer in recall 22V685?
3L engines.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.
Is it safe to drive a 2022 Explorer with recall 22V685?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of 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 hoses, lines and piping, and fittings, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V685?
Recall 22V685 covers 69 vehicles: 2022 Ford Explorer; 2022 Ford Ranger.
NHTSA lists 69 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 | Ford | Ranger |
What is the fix for the Explorer fuel line recall?
Yes. Ford will inspect and replace the fuel line assembly, if needed, free of charge.
Ford will inspect and replace the fuel line assembly, if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S60.
When was recall 22V685 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 22V685 to NHTSA on September 14, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as September 29, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2022 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V685000. |
| September 29, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 49 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 22V685?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V685 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V685000 is open on your Explorer, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 22S60. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Explorer owners do about recall 22V685?
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 22V685000 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 hoses, lines and piping, and fittings 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 304 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 38 of them about the fuel system.
Since recall 22V685 was reported on September 14, 2022, owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 6 of them (16%) 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 September 14, 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 304 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 38 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 Ford Ranger: 37 complaints in total, 2 about the fuel system
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
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 22V685 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.
Recall 22V685000 does not automatically make your Explorer a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (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.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
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 22V685
Did the recall 22V685 fix work?
Since recall 22V685 was reported on September 14, 2022, owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 6 of them (16%) 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed September 29, 2022.
Is the 22V685000 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 22V685000?
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.
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 22V685000 (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. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.