2021-2022 Ford Escape Fuel Injection System Recall (25V165)
Ford Motor Company · 33,576 vehicles · Reported March 14, 2025
Ford Motor Company is recalling 33,576 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport; 2021-2022 Ford Escape vehicles. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V165 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V165000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 25S21 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 14, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport; 2021-2022 Ford Escape |
| Units affected | 33,576 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline > Fuel Injection System |
| Safety risk | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Ford Escape in recall 25V165?
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Escape with recall 25V165?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Escape shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the fuel injection system, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V165?
Recall 25V165 covers 33,576 vehicles: 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport; 2021-2022 Ford Escape.
NHTSA lists 33,576 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Ford | Bronco Sport |
| 2021-2022 | Ford | Escape |
What is the fix for the Escape fuel injection system recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.
When was recall 25V165 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 25V165 to NHTSA on March 14, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 22, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 14, 2025 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V165000. |
| April 22, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 18 months ago. If your Escape was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Escape is part of recall 25V165?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V165 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V165000 is open on your Escape, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 25S21. 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 Escape owners do about recall 25V165?
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 25V165000 applies to your Escape.
- Call a Ford dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any fuel injection system symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Escape owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,792 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 426 of them about the fuel system.
Since recall 25V165 was reported on March 14, 2025, owners have filed 285 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 37 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 March 14, 2025, 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 1,792 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 426 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.
- 2021 Ford Bronco Sport: 696 complaints in total, 120 about the fuel system
- 2022 Ford Bronco Sport: 358 complaints in total, 89 about the fuel system
- 2021 Ford Escape: 348 complaints in total, 73 about the fuel system
- 2022 Ford Escape: 232 complaints in total, 85 about the fuel system
- 2023 Ford Bronco Sport: 158 complaints in total, 59 about the fuel system
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 10 MPH, a fuel odor had begun to leak into the interior cabin before the engine caught on fire. The A/C was activated during the time of the failure. No warning lights illuminated.
2021 Ford Escape owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11663746, filed May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown valve needed to be replaced. The unknown valve failure was related to the fuel intake.
2021 Ford Escape owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11668665, filed June 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the engine control software update was performed as an interim recall repair.
2021 Ford Escape owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11678703, filed August 6, 2025
Can recall 25V165 make my Escape 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 25V165000 does not automatically make your Escape 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 system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks or a fire risk. Repeat stalling after a recall repair is a strong sign the fix did not work.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 22V859000, 24V187000.
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 Escape been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Escape recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V165
Did the recall 25V165 fix work?
Since recall 25V165 was reported on March 14, 2025, owners have filed 285 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 37 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 22, 2025.
Is the 25V165000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Escape is part of recall 25V165000?
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 25V165000 (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.