2020 Ford Escape problems
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company since the 2001 model year. The first Ford SUV derived from a car platform, the Escape fell below the Ford Explorer in size; the Escape is currently sized between the Ford EcoSport and Ford Edge. The 2004 Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid-electric vehicle from Ford, and the first hybrid produced as an SUV.
The first two generations of the Escape used the Ford CD2 platform (jointly developed with Mazda), leading to the release of the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner; as with the Escape, both the Tribute and Mariner were marketed in North America. In Europe, the Escape was initially branded as the Ford Maverick from 2001 to 2008 (replacing a Nissan-produced SUV).
Under the mid-2000s "One Ford" globalization strategy, the third and fourth-generation designs of the Escape have been unified with the Ford Kuga, designed by Ford of Europe. Sharing a common body and chassis underpinnings (and several engines), the Escape and Kuga are manufactured in their home markets. As with previous generations, the fourth-generation Escape is offered with gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. Outside of North America, the Ford Escape is marketed in Australia, China, and Taiwan.
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Common 2020 Ford Escape problems
The Ford Escape, a popular compact SUV, has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. These issues range from engine hesitation to transmission failures and ignition misfires.
Ignition misfires are one of the most frequently reported problems, with 435 owners reporting this issue. Ignition misfires, if not addressed promptly, can cause further damage to the engine, making it crucial to replace the faulty ignition coil as soon as possible.
Another common issue reported by 387 owners is engine hesitation or stumbling while driving, which can be quite unsettling, especially on highways.
Four-wheel-drive (4WD) models of the Ford Escape have been reported to have internal transfer case problems, with 217 owners reporting this issue.
The Ford Escape has earned a reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal, which places it 16th out of 24 compact SUVs.
Transmission problems are the worst problem category for the Ford Escape, with the 2014 model year being the worst due to possible factors such as higher repair costs or more problems at lower mileage.
In summary, the Ford Escape has several common problems, including ignition misfires, engine hesitation, and transmission failures. While the vehicle has earned a good reliability score, some model years have received more owner complaints than others. It is crucial to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage and ensure the longevity of the vehicle.
What issues does the 2020 Ford Escape have?
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
What is the door problem on the 2020 Ford Escape?
According to SSM 50150, certain 2020-2021 Escape vehicles may exhibit cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. Ford has received feedback from fleet customers about this condition on some vehicles with high usage profiles.
Is there a recall on the 2020 Ford Escape?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
What is the fuel problem with the 2020 Ford Escape?
Some 2020 Escape/Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles and 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit slow fuel fill, premature shut off, and/or spit back during refueling. This may be due to the interface between the fuel nozzle and the fuel tank filler pipe.
What issues does the 2020 Ford Escape have?
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
What is the door problem on the 2020 Ford Escape?
According to SSM 50150, certain 2020-2021 Escape vehicles may exhibit cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. Ford has received feedback from fleet customers about this condition on some vehicles with high usage profiles.
What is the fuel problem with the 2020 Ford Escape?
Some 2020 Escape/Aviator/Explorer Hybrid vehicles and 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit slow fuel fill, premature shut off, and/or spit back during refueling. This may be due to the interface between the fuel nozzle and the fuel tank filler pipe.
Are there any recalls on a 2020 escape?
Ford Motor Company has issued a new recall for 125,322 model year 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles for a risk of fire due to engine failure.
2020 Ford Escape car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Escape problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Ford Escape vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2020 Ford Escape
The NHTSA has received 1332 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Ford Escape. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Ford Escape vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- VIN: 1FMCU9G6XLU
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal while in reverse(R), there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown application was applied to the brake pads which stopped the noise; however, the contact stated that the failure recently returned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 1FMCU9J94LU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I have a vista panoramic sun roof. There is a plastic decorative piece that covers the area between the normal sunroof and the expanded sunroof... That is only held in place with dbl sided tape. that piece came undone and I tried to open the shade and it apparently got caught on this decorative piece. and broke the hade mechanism. This is a completely stupid way of attching the decorative piece and when it loosens can cause major problems with the shade....and ford wants over 2000 dollars to fix it..... I have researched this and notice it happens to alot of these models with this roof shade design....ford needs to recall this design and be willing to fix these problems free of charge.... This is not a owner malfunction but a design flaw. customers should not have to pay to fix it.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
- VIN: 1FMCU9J95LU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: -Front drivers side door started making a noise when opening and closing and within a week of using it as normal it would not close. -Structural integrity of the door is compromised -Yes - reproduced and confirmed by a Ford dealer that the door needs to be replaced and that the cracks are "excessive" -No - vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative or others -No - there were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Started [XXX] - door was not used for 8 days as car was out of the country. Once the car back in the U.S. started using the door on 9.8.24 and failed to close on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 1FMCU9J92LU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: AWD module failed at 20000 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 1FMCU9H69LU
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I'm getting warnings all of a sudden that the Pre Collision Assist, Advance Trac and AWD are either not available or have a fault and need service. There were some other warnings which I don't recall as when driving I wanted to keep my eyes on the road as much as possible. Right now, it is not showing those. I have lost all safety features like backup sensors, forward sensors, lane wandering and blind spot warning. I have lost convenience features such as cruise control and parking assist. Mileage is 29,726.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- VIN: 1FMCU0G66LU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
- Summary: Dashboard message indicates the left front door is open although the door is properly closed and locked. I'm still able to lock and unlock the door using the lock switch on the inside door panel while sitting in the driver's seat. I can also lock and unlock the door using my key fob.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 1FMCU0G68L
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while parked when he buckled the seat belt, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. The failure occurred on the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 70,000.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- VIN: 1FMCU9J91LU
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: I was trying to crack my panoramic sunroof to move some air and the sunroof shade jumped its track and sagged down into my back window view while driving. It blocked my field of view and would not retract. Once I was safely able to pull to the side of the road and after several attempts I was able to somewhat close the cover and lift it out of my field of view. Now it’s just flapping in the wind. I looked up this issue and it seems that the many others are having this problem as well. For a car that is 4 years old with a sunroof that I have maybe used 5 times this seems like there might be a problem with the integrity of the clips that hold the shade in place. Apparently, ford is making a killing off of the repair ($2k-4k) which is highway robbery for a car that many of us already paid an arm and a leg for and are still in the early stages of paying on. This was not a wear and tear issue….this was a failure of a part with weak integrity.
POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- VIN: 1FMCU9J97LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Got an Advanced Trac warning on my dashboard. Lost my AWD traction control forward collision assist. Took it to my service station. They did a diagnostic testing and told me it could be a power train problem and may be covered under warranty and recommended that I take it to the Ford dealership because this appears to be a common problem with Ford Escapes. They also told me that my shocks are starting to leak which is also a common problem with Ford Escapes. Took my car to the Ford dealership along with the receipt from my service station and they also did a diagnostic there. Told me the problem was my AWD module and that it wasn’t under warranty and would cost $800.00 plus to repair. I sent them multiple complaints from the NHTSA with the same problem . Told them to do the repair because I felt unsafe driving my car. Asked who I could complain to because this is a recurring problem and they directed me to Ford customer service . They were no help at all and were unable to direct me to anyone else for help. Told me to file a complaint with the NHTSA. I am filing this complaint because I am wondering how many people have to pay out of pocket for problems that appear to be a Ford product problem before they either voluntarily acknowledge the problem or are forced to do a recall. I have not had the shocks replaced yet because that will be another $600.00 plus bill. I have lost all confidence in my car and Ford. I am retiring soon and this car would be paid off by then but now I may have to get rid of this car and buy another one and have a car payment in retirement. Extremely unhappy with Ford and will never buy another Ford. This is unfair to anyone who buys a product and experiences common problems that the manufacturer chooses to not recognize and fix! Ford needs to step up and acknowledge the problems and pay for the repair!
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
- VIN: 1FMCU9H65LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: There is a Powetrain Malfunction, loss of Hill Start Assist , AWD failure, Loss of Precollision Assist, loss of traction control, causing notifications to "Service Immediately" This has been confirmed by Ford to be an AWD module failure and requires costly replacement. Multiple Ford dealers have been unable to accommodate timely appointments to correct this issue. This issue affects the ability to drive the vehicle safely. The vehicle had no known issues prior to the dash lights and system messages appearing. The problem and notifications appeared suddenly while driving down the highway, noticeably jolting while the vehicle was in movement. This issue makes the vehicle unable to navigate up inclined roadways. The loss of traction control affects the steering control of the vehicle, especially in roadways experiencing non ideal weather conditions. After these things occurred, the engine started to experience a misfire, most likely due from having to work harder to navigate up Inclined roadways. This vehicle is actively at the dealer for these repairs, pending invoice.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- VIN: 1FMCU9G67LU
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS
- Summary: I brought my vehicle into its manufacturer service center after noticing several issues. The vehicle was not maneuvering as smoothly as it used to and when it hit bumps I would feel a slight loss of control. This is extremely dangerous, especially in the coming winter months where it snows heavily where I live in the midwest. I also hear like a cracking sound underneath the vehicle. I saw several service light illuminate to include: AWD Fault Service Required, Hill Start Not Available, and Pre Collision Assist Not Available. I brought in my vehicle into the Ford Service Center and they advised me that I needed to replace the AWD module and that this has been a common trend among the Ford Escape vehicles. I conducted research online and observed that several people have also had complaints about the same if not similar issues with the same year, make, and model of my vehicle. I strongly believe that this issue should be addressed in recall, especially given the numerous amounts of complaints and known issues.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- VIN: 1FMCU9H99LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the messages "Hill Start Assist Not Available", "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available", "Service Advance-trac" and "Service All Wheel Drive" remained displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the All-Wheel Drive module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 1FMCU9BZ3LU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Whenever I shut off my 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid or when I am about to turn it on, a message appears on the touchscreen that says: "System off to save battery, please turn ignition off or start engine." I have replaced the battery but I get the same error message. When I took the car to Firestone, they performed a Diagnostic which did not indicate that there was anything wrong with the battery. When I spoke to a Hybrid Battery Specialist, he told me that the error message was for my "12 volt battery. It is a fairly common problem with your Escape. The Ford dealership may have a fix for it. It is possible that you just need to replace the 12 volt battery." My local Ford Dealership did not have a fix for it. Since this is a fairly common problem with the Ford Escape, I think a recall should be issued to have Ford rectify the issue.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 1FMCU0DZ9LU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Sunroof internal protective part lost its adhesion and fell while driving. Sunroof fabric came loose causing the sunroof to malfunction potentially causing more damage if you try to use it.
POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 1FMCU9J94LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: One day my all wheel drive, pre-collision emergency braking, lane departure warnings, cruise control, lane assist, and hill start assist stopped working. I could no longer use any of these functions. There was no accident, fire, or any other damage that occurred to my vehicle to cause this malfunction. It just stopped working. I was alerted by error messages on my dash that all wheel drive and pre collision assist were not functional. I scheduled an appointment with the dealership. When I took my car in for inspection at the dealership, they found that the all wheel drive module was defective, directly impacting the functionality of the powertrain, and needed replaced immediately. They confirmed that this module was not working. Without this function, I could not use all wheel drive in icy, snowy, or rainy weather, thus impacting the safety of the vehicle for myself and my 8month old daughter who I drive daily. This also prevented collision emergency braking and lane departure warning features from functioning, which are important for preventing dangerous accidents. Even though my car is still covered under the powertrain warranty, and this defect affects the function of the powertrain, they do not consider it covered under warranty.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- VIN: 1FMCU9G61LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the " Power train malfunction and reduced power" and the "4-WD Power Train Fault" messages were displayed on the instrument panel; the power train fault warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V330000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-23
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: See attached document for complaint.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
- VIN: 1FMCU9G62LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: My AWD module stopped working for no reason WHILE DRIVING! My car’s dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree stating for me to pull over safely, AWD fault service required, Hill start failure, pre-collision failure, and the stability and traction control failure light was on as well. My car was towed to my local Ford dealership. I researched what in the world could be going on with my car. I typed in the exact warnings displayed by my car and MULTIPLE articles about the AWD module failing for countless other 2020 Ford Escape cars! I also saw there was a RECALL on this module back in 12/2021-04/2022. They are saying my car is not apart of that recall though??? How when my car’s AWD module FAILED JUST LIKE THE RECALL STATED! This is happening/happened to hundreds of other 2020 Escape owners! This recall should be EXTENDED to every owner of the 2020 Escape experiencing AWD failure! This is a HUGE SAFETY RISK! Your car literally just stops working while driving. I got extremely lucky that I was already pulling into a gas station when this happened to me. I can’t imagine what could’ve happened if I were driving on the interstate when this occurred, which is EXACTLY what I was going to be doing after fueling up!
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 1FMCU9BZ3LU
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The lift gate fills with water when it rains and I worry that it can interfere with the backup camera.
VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-25
- VIN: 1FMCU0H64LU
- Components: VISIBILITY,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera screen was blue and there was a beeping sound coming from the camera. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility, Back Over Prevention). There was a DTC trouble code sent to the manufacturer regarding the backover prevention camera. The contact called the local dealer and was informed to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- VIN: 1FMCU9G60LU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver’s side window failed to roll down while depressing the window switch. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and was previously repaired at the dealer. The contact stated that a while afterward, the rear passenger’s side window failed to roll down while depressing the window switch. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer and remained for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,600.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 1FMCU9DZ8LU
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while exiting the vehicle, there was an abnormal crackling sound coming from the driver's side door. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-11
- VIN: 1FMCU0F63LU
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after a severe rainstorm, the contact noticed that there was a strong odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the car wash, and upon removing the floor mats, the contact became aware that the floor mats were significantly wet, and there was mold and mildew on the floor mats and on the carpet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was dried out and the seats were taken out. The dealer then performed a water entry test and determined that water was entering through the seam in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-20
- VIN: 1FMCU9BZXLU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I have received 2 letters from manufacturer, than I had appointment dealer service, I went there and worker sad to me we don't have it, than I tried another services , they same answer, than I contacted ford, ford told to me car is good condition don't need replacement
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 1FMCU0DZ7LU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Upon purchasing and receiving the car from a dealership, I attempted to drive it around my neighborhood and after about 1 minute received a warning saying "safely stop now!" and the steering wheel locked and the power shut off in the middle of the street. The car would not turn back on and had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership (not Ford) already replaced the battery and that did not fix the issue. They are having to take it to Ford service to get it looked at. This poses a very significant safety risk because it could have happened on the highway, as some Ford Escape users have reported on forums. Before purchasing the car, all available recalls were addressed and "resolved", but clearly not all issues have been fixed.
2020 Ford Escape recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 12 recalls for different components of the 2020 Ford Escape.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. 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.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If a connecting rod bearing failure is detected, dealers will replace the engine long-block. All inspections and repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S27. This recall expands and replaces recall number 22V-484. Vehicles previously repaired under 22V-484 will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicles previously repaired under 22V-484 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
- Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. 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.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will modify the under engine shield and active grille shutter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S47.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L hybrid powertrains. Insufficient welds inside the high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power.
- Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on July 12, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S33.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
- Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
- Consequence: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with a key-start ignition system. The Body Control Module (BCM) intermittently may not pick up the signal from the rear Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors or the Remote Key Fob. In the event of a low tire pressure condition, the TPMS system may not provide an adequate warning.
- Consequence: Low tire pressure may lead to poor vehicle handling and a possible loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the BCM, free of charge. Owners are advised that two key fobs are required for the repair to be completed. The recall began December 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S59.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
- Consequence: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S35.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
- Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Negative 2020 Ford Escape car reviews
Positive 2020 Ford Escape car reviews
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Purchased a new 2020 Ti Hybrid that consistently achieves over 40 mpg, with occasional instances of over 50 mpg. Compared to our previous Subaru Forester, the Esca6p6 is significantly more comfortable and quieter. However, the top of the line model's interior trim is substandard, which is the only drawback.
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This car is perfect for us! As retirees who don't drive much on a limited island in Hawaii, we didn't have high expectations, but the size, comfort, and spacious back seat exceeded our expectations. The tech in this car is also impressive, especially coming from our old 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. We were planning to buy a 2019 model on year-end clearance, but none of the Escapes at the 3 Ford dealers here had the tech safety features found standard in the 2020 model, which we consider a must-have. Thanks to our newly discovered Costco Member pricing, we were able to get a great deal on a 2020 Escape without any unnecessary add-ons. We believe it's worth every penny more than any 2019 Year-End Deal! We're even planning to buy another one for our son as a graduation gift. The Escape is a much bigger, better, and safer car for California freeways. We might even get him the bigger 2.0L engine for better performance. Our old 2006 Escape Hybrid only gets 22 mpg, so we're excited to see how much better the 2020 model performs. We didn't want to deal with another Escape Hybrid because it's not worth paying thousands more for minimal gas savings when we drive so little. Plus, most auto shops here don't service Ford Hybrids, so it's more convenient and cost-effective to stick with a regular gas engine.
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I have a 2020 Ford Escape SE with the 1.5L turbocharged engine and just over 9,000 miles on it. It's been a great ride so far! I always run it in Sport mode (the most fun, least fuel efficient mode) and, amazingly, I’m averaging over 30 MPG in the city! The car feels super solid and well-made, and is very peppy with no noticeable turbo lag. The interior is fresh and modern with a huge, high-resolution, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Audio. It also has some great features like the lane keeping system, automatic emergency pre-collision warning system, automatic high-beams, and my favorite feature, which is the driver and passenger door handles have sensors in them that unlock the doors just by grabbing the handle (as long as the key is in your pocket). To lock the doors, you simply touch the little raised lines on the top of the door handle (very futuristic feeling). It also has the remote start through the Ford mobile app, which is super convenient. You can even pre-program things like what the climate control is set at and even if the seat warmers come in when you do remote start. I am also super impressed with the cargo space and love that the second row of seats can slide forward or backward or fold completely flat depending on whether you need more people space or more cargo space. Overall, it's a tight, rattle-free, modern, fuel-efficient, and fun SUV!
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I test drove all of these vehicles and found that the RAV4 had the best performance, although the ride was a bit bumpy. I also tested the fully equipped Hybrid XSE, the Rogue, and the Chevy Traverse. The Rogue was nice, but felt a bit too plastic. The Chevy Traverse was excellent, but ultimately I chose the Escape Titanium due to its great mileage (44 City, 37 Highway) and smooth ride. Ford was also very eager to make a deal. As for the CRV, I found it to be a bit odd and it had some blind spots that were a larger issue. It could use some improvement.
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I bought the titanium model, and I love it! It's super comfortable and loaded with safety features. I was afraid there would be a considerable difference in power when I traded in my mustang for this SUV, but I was pleasantly surprised! It's very responsive and handles great. I cancelled my visit to see a Subaru and bought this on the spot!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Ford Escape problems:
Reliability issues on the 2020 Escape : r/fordescape
May 7, 2023 ... Reliability issues on the 2020 Escape. I found a good deal on a 2020 Escape with 60k miles, but am hesitant after reading about some reliability ...
2020 Ford Escape Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Exhaust · Brakes · Transmission Major · Transmission Minor · Climate System · Body Hardware · Noises And ...
2020 Escape ... A total nightmare : r/fordescape
Aug 20, 2020 ... Backup camera doesn't work (pretty well-known issue at this point). · Warping A-pillar molding on each side of the windshield. · Radio sometimes ...
2020 Ford Escape Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Mar 15, 2023 ... The 2020 Ford Escape lasts around 200,000 miles with some door hinge and battery issues reported. At $18,990 to $33,998, it's a decent choice ...
2020 Ford Escape Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Ford Escape? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Ford Escape
Are you having problems with your 2020 Ford Escape?
Paolo Smitham 2024-10-08
I love this car! Although, I did have a bit of a rocky start with it. Unfortunately, I experienced two recalls within the first 8 months of owning it. One for the backup camera and another for an ABS issue. I purchased the car in May 2020 and noticed a loud rubbing noise when reversing. When I took it back to the dealership, I was initially dismissed and told that the car needed to warm up and let the rust come off the brakes and rotors in the morning. However, the noise persisted and got worse over time. After several attempts to fix the issue, the dealership had to order new brakes and rotors. I did some research and found that other 2020 Escapes were having the same issue, so if you're experiencing something similar, don't hesitate to speak up! Despite these initial setbacks, I still really love the car. It's spacious, has great gas mileage on the highway, and the screen is perfectly positioned in the vehicle.
Roberto Oberbrunner 2024-09-16
The Persian green hue leans more towards blue than green. Despite the driver assist repeatedly activating, I promptly returned the vehicle to the dealer after only 70 miles. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the issue was related to the braking mechanism, and unfortunately, the necessary replacement part is currently on back order with no estimated arrival date. As a result, my vehicle has remained at the dealership for an entire month now.
Ervin Cummerata 2024-09-15
I test drove several compact SUVs before ultimately deciding on the Ford Escape with the Titanium trim. While I had previously owned a Mustang without any issues, unfortunately, this particular model missed the mark. I experienced a number of issues, including a leaky windshield wiper fluid tank, battery problems within the first six months, and interior parts that began chipping and coming loose early on, such as the window buttons. Additionally, the blind spot detection system would detect things that weren't there, and the windows would roll back down after being rolled up. The car was also fairly jerky when shifting gears, not as smooth as some of the competition. One day, while driving, the parking sensors started going crazy for no reason, and the car got stuck in 1st gear going up a hill. I had to turn around and coast back home, luckily I wasn't far from home. The same issue occurred the next day, and while we were able to get it out of 1st gear, the parking sensors continued to go crazy and shut the car off. I took it to the dealer, but they were unable to replicate the problem. After picking it up from the dealer, I began to think about the likelihood of this car having even more issues with only 6k more miles on the warranty. On the drive home, I turned off my music and noticed a massive rattling coming from the roof of the car. I decided to sell it that day and went to Carmax, where I was able to sell it without any issues.
Khalil Gutkowski 2024-07-10
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my new 2020 Escape. I've had it for a month now and I've noticed some engine vibration from the 3 cyl. engine when the 3rd cylinder is deactivated, which seems to happen most of the time. I was wondering if there is a way to disengage the system? The dealer says it's normal, but I'm not so sure. I'm starting to get frustrated and I'm considering using the Lemon law. What do you think?
Cody McLaughlin 2024-06-16
Before purchasing this vehicle, please be aware that you may experience some vibrations at 1500 RPM while driving. Although I did not notice it during my short test drive, I felt it on my way home from the dealership and immediately contacted the sales representative. He assured me that the vehicle is under warranty and I made a service appointment. However, I later found out that this is a normal occurrence due to a technology related to the transmission. As a loyal Ford customer, I have had great experiences with all my Ford vehicles, including the work trucks for our business. However, I must admit that I am not happy this time and I miss the smooth drive from my Edge.