About average for the Escape
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Escape year. The main thing to watch is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 46,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,621 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Escape. The most reported problem area is the body, doors and structure (712, 44% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the fuel system. That ranks 5th of 13 Escape years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 23 recalls.
6 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2020 Ford Escape before you buy.
Body, doors and structure
712 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (494), Body: door (123).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driver side door is increasingly noisy when opening the hinge makes a loud popping noise. The window will randomly not close. I saw on this website others are having the same problem. It has not been inspected by anyone, but can be.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the hatch was automatically raised to place groceries inside the vehicle; however, the hatch unexpectedly lowered and struck the contact on the head. Medical assistance was not needed. The contact placed a bag of ice on the head. The dealer was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 50,400 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
243 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle diagnosed with DTC C0095 (sub-codes :71 and :19) indicating a total mechanical misalignment of the internal Rear Drive Unit (RDU) actuator motor magnet ring, as documented in Ford Service Bulletin SSM 51117. This defect causes an immediate, unprompted shutdown of the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system while driving, defaulting the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I am noticing an obvious lurching while accelerating at low speeds after being stopped. It also happens when slowing down. It is happening with and without adaptive cruise control engaged. This may cause someone to rear end me if my brake lights are not activated because I am not braking. Inversely it may cause me to rear end someone in…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
201 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Recall on the fuel injector , recieved a recall alert in the mail . Informed me that Ford dose not recommend not driving the vehicle. Caught fire while I was driving it and burned up .Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle shuddered abnormally after pressing the Push-to-Start button. The contact stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 51,000 miles
Electrical system
160 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle Door Locks: -driver door lock failed to unlock. All other doors locks remained functional - 2 days later or 450+ miles later all doors locked, then when attempting to unlock all doors whether key fob or door lock/unlock buttons on both driver and passenger doors, door locks failed to respond to any button attempt. -manual…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front passenger’s door failed to remain open and the driver's side window was malfunctioning. The contact stated that the driver’s side window automatically rolled up while the window was being lowered. Additionally, the liftgate failed to latch or lock properly. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 87,000 miles
Engine and cooling
132 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
2020 ford fusion taken to Bessemer Ford dealership July 20 2026 with issues to vehicle sputtering. The vehicle was returned as no problem found On August 15, 2026vehicle ran hot and shut down 140 miles away from home. The vehicle was then towed to Huntsville Ford. I was sent a video by the dealership of the coolant being milky brown but…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, upon depressing the accelerator the vehicle would not move and an abnormal beeping sound was emitted, no warning lights were illuminated however a warning message was displayed on the instrument panel "Place vehicle in park to restart engine".…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
101 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (48), Adaptive cruise control (25), Automatic emergency braking (23).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
AWD Module fails to communicate properly due to bad ground connection. Dashboard message shows AWD Failure, Pre-collision assist warning unavailable, Electronic stability control unavailable, and Hill start assist failure. Ford is aware of this problem and has issued TSB 23-2061. These vehicles should be re-called because important…Owner complaint, filed 2026
While I was driving on a highway the ADAS (IPMA) suddenly stopped working creating a dangerous situation as I was using adaptive cruise control at the time. It has never worked since. Ford has told me that there is no software fix and the hardware needs to be replaced at a cost of $1500. Unless I pay that amount I will lack key safety…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
78 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles. Parts named most: Sun / moon roof assembly (8).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The fabric liner at the top of the car that is a sun block for the moon roof has come loose multiple times on both sides and it seems that the piece that should retract and keep tension on the cloth so that it properly feeds into the head liner is malfunctioning. The dealership has attempted to fix it multiple times and it continues to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the moon roof, the moon roof cover cloth bunched up and blocked the view of the rear glass. The failure mileage was approximately 51,250.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 51,250 miles
Brakes and stability control
47 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm while depressed, and the vehicle lost brake assist functionality. The contact stated that there was an unknown brake warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The failure worsened, and the vehicle was no longer safe to operate. Due to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 53,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 30,000 miles
Wheels and tires
27 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchased four brand new tires Douglas touring AS 102 H all season tires on September 12, 2024 with my mileage at 48,906 miles. On July 14th 2026 I went to Portsmouth Ford used car for a recall the inspected my tires and said I had 7/32 of tread life left. Today on September 17, 2026 I was told by Walmart in Portsmouth New Hampshire I…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Tire pressure monitoring system failure in rear tire. Error message states failure on dashboard. Issue began happening week of July 7, 2025. Vehicle has not been inspected by dealer or other professional.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
22 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The drivers seat belt buckle lactch has broke. The part of the buckle that latched the seatbelt has broken and fallen down into the buckle therefore the drivers seat belt can not be worn. This is a huge safety issue and is also illegal. The seat beat and buckle should be something in a vehicle that doesn’t just break like this. Makes me…Owner complaint, filed 2026
So I bought this 2020 ford escape at 1100 miles. It was used as a dealership loaner vehicle until I bought it which put its 5 year at 11/19/2025, although I purchased it 12/2+/2020. Which h doesn't make sense. I'm slightly over the 60k/5 yr safety warranty because of it being a loaner vehicle first. I'm over the 60k by 19k, but under my…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
20 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife pulling into a parking spot, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the wall of a Dollar General Store. The contact stated that his wife sustained injuries and bruises to both legs from the deployment of the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 45,000 miles
2020 Ford Escape is suffering from sudden, uncommanded loss of power, severe engine hesitation and violent stuttering during acceleration and problem is getting worse. Took to our service center to fix and they said the problem is a recall - NHTSA - 25V467 recall 25S76 (engine hesitant acceleration, rough idling, reduced engine power).…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
18 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
when driving I was approaching a curve and lost all steering for several seconds. I could turn the wheel completely all the way around and there was no control. After about 8 seconds steering was available again. This was not caused by hydroplaning as the roads are dry. speed was about 30 mph.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to control. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the electronic power steering…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 50,000 miles
Air bags
13 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 13,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact’s husband stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle unexpectedly cut in front of the vehicle, resulting in a collision. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. The contact stated that upon impact, the driver-side air bags failed to deploy; however, the air bag…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 39,000 miles
The contact owned a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's seat air bags inadvertently deployed. As a result, the contact's attention was briefly diverted away from the roadway, causing her to collide with the rear of another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 100,000 miles
Suspension
9 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Purchased my 2020 Ford Escape brand new. Since owning it I have repaired/replaced the shocks and struts 3 times. They continue to leak. The car has not been used to carry heavy items or tow etc. Car is kept in a garage year round.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact became aware that there was fluid underneath the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear shocks were leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that approximately 20,000 miles later, while receiving a routine inspection, the dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 20,000 miles
Ford Escape complaints by year
Compare the 2020 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2020 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Ford Escape | About average | 23 |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 | Among the worst years | 6 |
| 2020 Honda CR-V | About average | 7 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-5 | One of the better years | 0 |
2020 Ford Escape recalls
Backup camera
- Risk
- An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Windows, mirrors and wipers Motor
- Risk
- Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Body and structure Hinge and attachments
- Risk
- A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Pads
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Equipment Engine block heater
- Risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel injection system
- 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
- Dealers will update the engine control software.
Full recall summary
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.
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Engine
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel injection system
- 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
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Management system / energy control module
- Risk
- Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed.
Full recall summary
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.
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Engine
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall 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.
Fuel system Fuel injection system
- 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
- Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall 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.
Electrical system Traction battery
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Engine and cooling Oil / lubrication
- Risk
- An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level.
Full recall 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.
Electrical system Body control module / bcm
- Risk
- Low tire pressure may lead to poor vehicle handling and a possible loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the BCM, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Backup camera
- Risk
- Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
Full recall 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."
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Air bags
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Seats Recliner
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall 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."
2020 Ford Escape questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Escape?
The most reported problem areas on the 2020 Ford Escape are the body, doors and structure (712 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (243 complaints) and the fuel system (201 complaints). Within the body, doors and structure, owners most often name the body and body: door.
Is the 2020 Ford Escape a good year to buy?
About average for the Escape. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Escape year. The main thing to watch is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 46,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 23 recalls for the 2020 Ford Escape. The most recent, from Mar 2026, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the body, doors and structure gave a mileage of about 46,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 50,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?
The Escape years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2020 Ford Escape?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model