What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2020 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

3% of complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is structure (675 complaints), typically at 4.1 yr or about 45,000 miles.

Complaints
2,111
Median age at failure
4.3 yr
Median mileage
42,000 n=503
Crash / fire / tow
3.9% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Structure
675 reports · 45,000 mi
4.1 yr
1.2%
Other
303 reports · 4,000 mi
4.3 yr
3%
Power train
235 reports · 50,000 mi
5.0 yr
4.7%
Electrical system
155 reports · 18,000 mi
4.7 yr
1.3%
Engine
119 reports · 68,000 mi
5.3 yr
4.2%
Fuel system
118 reports · 51,486 mi
5.8 yr
4.2%
Collision avoidance
92 reports · 43,000 mi
4.7 yr
4.3%
Fuel / propulsion
74 reports
5.8 yr
1.4%
Latches / locks
54 reports · 47,767 mi
3.8 yr
3.7%
Visibility / wipers
41 reports · 1,200 mi
5.8 yr
0%
Service brakes
32 reports · 23,000 mi
4.8 yr
9.4%
Back over prevention
29 reports · 71,000 mi
5.9 yr
6.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V117000 2026-03-03
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

26V123000 2026-03-03
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V829000 2025-12-01
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.

A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V685000 2025-10-10
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

25V693000 2025-10-10
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles. The rear brake pads may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can reduce brake function in the event of a brake booster malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Reduced brake function can require the driver to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V467000 2025-07-11
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. 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.

25V442000 2025-06-27
Back over prevention:software

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

25V345000 2025-05-23
Engine

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

25V165000 2025-03-14
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system

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.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

24V954000 2024-12-20
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Engine mileage not reported 2.3 yr in service
the auto start stop engine feature stops functioning intermittently no set pattern it randomly doesn't work. Never know if the engine will shut down when its supposed to or not
Engine 10,000 mi 2.7 yr in service
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The emissions failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Engine 30,416 mi 3.3 yr in service
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side front door failed to close. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal odor detected while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,416.
Power train 4,090 mi 9 mo in service
MY 2020 FORD ESCAPE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES ODD WHIRRING SOUNDS AND SHIFTS HARD OFTEN WHILE DRIVING. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STILL HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING SMOOTHLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLES BEEN WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. EVEN WHEN IT IS WORKING THE FEED IS USUALLY TERRIBLE QUALITY. WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE REAR VIEW CAMERA, THE IMAGE QUALITY TURNS GREYISH AND IMAGES LAG.

Other Escape model years

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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