Complaint volume
1435 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Ford Escape Complaints
1435 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
1435 Total complaints
19 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
22 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are structure, unknown or other, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 19 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 22 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 305 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 45,215 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to structure, unknown or other, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Ford Escape?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Ford Escape
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Ford Escape complaints?
19 Crash
3 Fire
22 Injury
0 Fatality
30 Towed
9 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Ford Escape complaint categories?
STRUCTURE 503
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 187
POWER TRAIN 110
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 80
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34
ENGINE 30
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 26
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 18
VISIBILITY/WIPER 18
1,435 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | POWER TRAIN | 2020 Has a 8f35 transmission with the same torque converter issues and low speed shudder under 35 same as bulletin 21-2081... ford edge with same transmission ford recommended replacement at 90000 miles didn't offer to even attempt to work on it. No warning lights are on | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | Vehicle has 14,000 miles on it. Was taken to Ford garage after the AWD light came on. They placed the AWD module on the vehicle and then ran diagnostics again and it still pulled the errors. They determined that the ABS system is bad and also needs replaced. He provided me with a notice that was sent to Ford/Lincoln dealers -Customer Satisfaction Program 20B5 which was for vehicles manufactured in 2020 where the dealers were to replace the electronic break booster. My vehicle was manufactured in 2019, but has the same problem as this recall and unfortunately was not part of the dates where Ford would fix the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | STRUCTURE | On the door, the brace to control the stability of the door has broken off on the inside of the door. This is very annoying that this is not considered a recall as this is something that can only be fix by replacing the entire door. That is not a convenient amount of money to just spend. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | I have a 2020 Ford Escape that was not included in the recall 20C19/20V575, however my vehicle has been having the issue. Ford dealerships and the Ford customer support were not helpful and said they couldn't fix the issue since my specific vehicle was not included in the recall, even though my vehicle is having the same issue. They directed me to file a complaint here in order to be added to the recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Back door of my ,2020 Ford Escape SE, is stuck closed! Won't open at all with key fob or buttons on driver side or button on back door. Multiple times before it got stuck closed, the door wouldn't latch properly and bounce open randomly over bumps in the road! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a popping sound coming from the front door on the driver's side. The contact stated that the door failed to close completely as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The contact related the failure with an unknown recall; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 31,000 |
| Aug 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The AWD module failed after 22,000 miles. This affects the awd and many other options not to work. Trac control, Hill assist, Awd etc. Dealership wont cover due to 3 years. Dealership is fixing with $1160 out of pocket to me. This part is a known issue with Ford and many other complaints have been made. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | AWD fault at 58,000 miles. AWD module has to be replaced at approximately $750. Power train/drivetrain warranty good for 60,000 miles. Was informed at the dealership that it wasn’t covered under the power train/drivetrain warranty. I have read several complaints from owners having the same issue. Ford needs to offer a recall and reimburse all funds. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | STRUCTURE | Driver door hinge welds are broken. Door will not open or close correctly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | STRUCTURE | The Passenger door Check assembly is making alot of noise. I see there is a problem with the weld of the bracket to the door which could cause the door to fall off the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | STRUCTURE | I opened the driver side door and it the arm suddenly started making noises and it’s hard to open and close. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after an hour. On another occasion, while turning left, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and codes for the PCM, and headlamp were retrieved. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 31,000 |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN | My car spontaneously started throwing out Service AdvanceTrac, PowerTrain Malfunction, AWD Fault, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, and Hill Start Assist warnings. Those all cleared themselves, but the AWD Fault remained. I took it to my local Ford dealer, who replaced the AWD module the same day. The very next day my check engine light came on with the code for the Catalytic Converter and the PowerTrain Catalyst System fell below the efficiency threshold. My car barely has 40,000 miles on it and it is well-maintained. Upon reading some of the other complaints about this year, I see that I am not alone and have read several other complaints explaining the exact same thing that happened with my car. It appears as though there were other 2020 escapes within a certain manufacturing date range that DID qualify for a recall related to these issues, however mine did not for some reason. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance at the local dealer, the vehicle was inspected, and it was determined that the driver's side front door weld was cracked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Jul 2024 | STRUCTURE | The driver's door makes cracky noise and it hard to open and close. Before this it was the window had problems closing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Had new Ford factory transmission installed due to only getting 72000 miles on original trans. New transmission, after being installed, has been deemed defective from the factory so dealer will have to order and install a replacement. Ford 8 speed transmission. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Took car to dealership for separate covered customer satisfaction program involving door weld. door weld was resolved however the dealer stated that some check engine lights came on. after having my car for three weeks they diagnosed it as needing to replace the AWD Module and 2 related updates. It is publicly known by Ford that this issue has occurred in other 2020 Ford Escapes. This was addressed for some 2020 Ford Escapes in their customer service program 21B19. However my VIN did not qualify as it did not meet the manufacture dates. Nevertheless, the problem, vehicle year, and manufacture year are identical and this is not an issue that occurs with normal wear and tear within 30000 miles. The known issues with the 2020 Ford Escape AWD Module should be expanded to cover this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN | My car spontaneously began displaying error messages saying that pre-collision assistance, hill start asssitance, vehicle stabilization, and AWD were in error and wouldn’t work. I took it to a Ford dealership and they diagnosed the AWD system as faulty and it will need to be replaced. If continued to be driven without replacing it, the AWD fault would cause the car to not be able to move forward. They were surprised a car this new would need this. Upon further research, I am among hundreds, if not more, of 2020 Escape owners with this problem. This is a widespread safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | AWD module has failed and per FORD is not covered in replacement cost. Multiple error messages about forward collision, AWB and adaptive cruise control. This module was covered un a previous customer satisfaction program (Customer Satisfaction Program 21B19) and in multiple issues noted in on line forums should be taken up for a recall. Vehicle appears to run more poorly and thus could put myself and passengers at risk for accident. The error shows up every time the vehicle starts up. I see there are over 40 complaints listed here and I am sure there are more. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Different warning lights were coming on in my suv while I was on vacation a couple weeks ago. The lights consist of AWD, Pre-collision assist, traction control and hill assist. The door and window is also broken but that will be fixed for free because of a recall. I’m extremely frustrated because I just got this car in February. Now all this is breaking down at the same time. We did not get the warranty on it because we had to buy a car last minute and couldn’t afford the extra fee. I drive all over because I own a cleaning business. My frustration is that there was a recall on certain vehicles with the same exact issues that my suv is having. So I feel like this is a manufacturing problem. I don’t want to spend a $1000,00 or more if this is in fact a manufacturing issue. Especially if my car was made around Covid time. I’m getting a diagnostic test done on it now. It’s at the ford dealership where I bought it. So I’m waiting on that. I’m hoping to find out tomorrow how much it is going to cost. I would really appreciate an investigation into this. For all this to go out all at the same time is frustrating and makes no sense. I just can’t afford it and I need my car for work. Ford gave me a case #[XXX]. I hope this is right. The first couple of numbers could possibly be wrong. If they are, I can call ford again. Thank you, [XXX] P.S. I can send you a picture of the diagnostic paper work when I receive it tomorrow. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, there was excessive smoke coming from the exhaust, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who observed a hole in the cylinder #1 piston, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 97,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 97,000 |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN | transmission problems : High RPMs as vehicle fails to shift up Lurching/“bucking” forward at intervals Hesitation | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof molding detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,300. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,300 |
| Jul 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the AWD and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the AWD control module. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B19. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 43,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 43,000 |
| Jul 2024 | SUSPENSION | My car has only 50,000 miles on it. I took it to the dealership for an oil change, and they reported that the rear suspension shocks are leaking. I was only two months out of warranty at this moment. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |