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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal felt spongy. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be pushed unusually hard to activate the brakes. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed of Customer Service Program: 21B19; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the Customer Satisfaction Program. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 34,000 |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | All Wheel Drive module is malfunctioning. AWD needs serviced light came on. Upon further research it appears that AWF modules that were manufactured at the facility where mine was manufactured, were recalled for dates within 2 days of mine being manufactured. Based on internet searches, it seems this has been a frequent issue and Ford will not replace/recall this module within the other recall. My vehicle only has 13,000 miles on it and is 4 years old. This should not be a problem and is going to be a great expense to get fixed. Ford should recall this part as it is a knows consistent issue with the AWD module that was manufactured out of the same facility. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | I just bought this car less than 6 months ago, and the other day I had an “AWD Fault Service Required” light come on. Come to find out it’s a bad AWD computer module. I get to searching online and see hundreds of people with the same problem. I am not sure what I’m going to do, but if this is as common of an occurrence as forums lead me to believe it is, someone should look into this as a recall. There is already a recall for this exact problem for this same model of cars built within a specific factory and timeframe. It’s happening to enough people that this umbrella should probably be extended | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? AWD module failure How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle shifted out of AWD and began losing power as several errors began flashing in dash! They were AWD fault service required Service advance trac Pre collision assist not available AWD off Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes @ Loveland ford Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes @ Loveland ford Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes wrench and swervy car light came on first happened around June 13 2024 Shown that this year make and model has had this issue and a customer satisfaction program was in place but has since expired and told that since mine did not experience the problem during that time I do not qualify for the replacement | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | A clunking noise in the rear at turns to the right starting up from a stop. Local automotive shop diagnosed contaminated rear differential fluid. Changed fluid and told me to contact dealership. Differential should not have the issue at only 30,000 miles. Dealership confirmed issue and recommended TSB 24-2185 be performed at this time. However RDU vent nose part unavailable at this time and had to pay for a special order shipment when it was produced by third party vendor. Did not change fluid and Escape is clunking at right and left turns now and feels unsafe to drive as I herk and jerk down the road. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicle is flashing warning lights for Powertrain Failure, AWD System Failure, Collision-Assist Failure, AdvanceTrac Failure, Hill-Assist Failure. Apparently, these are all linked to a faulty AWD module. Ford is claiming that it is not covered by their Powertrain warranty even though it is a major component of that system. This issue is becoming more and more prevalent with Ford customers. This item should be a recall. Please assist us in making that happen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1.) My backup camera has failed, and it is static and then continues today will not display and shows black. I can no longer use it or see out of it for backup purposes. 2.) I use my back up camera everyday as I live in a busy city and use it when parking and to assist me when there is a lot happening with parking on the side of the road and entering and exiting parking spots. 3.) Yes, I had it checked by a ford dealer, and they stated other vehicles were having this issue and it was odd mine had not been recalled. 4.) No my vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the warranty holder I have as well as the ford dealership. 5.) No everything was working fine and then the next time I turned my vehicle on the backup camera was no longer of use. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | 2020 Escape has a turn style shifter that becomes stuck in park and will not shift into gear on hot summer days making the car inoperable leaving unsuspecting drivers stranded. The issue happens almost weekly to daily to my vehicle. The dealership has found no cause for this issue as when the shifter is acting up and is inoperable, the dealership has no opening to serivce vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she became aware of a malfunction with the Forward Collision Avoidance system. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the Forward Collision Avoidance module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,000 |
| Jun 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I started getting warning lights that stated I was having issues with my AWS and hill assist systems. Ford is telling me that I need a new AWD module installed for $770. The car only has 51,000 miles on it and there are numerous reports on the internet with people having the same issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Premature failure of valve cover gasket and transmission. Valve cover gasket allowing oil to seep in to spark plug “tubes” causing misfires. Transmission showing excessive wear for only 72000 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | last year in the summer of 2023 I first experienced my 2020 Ford Escape not being able to shift from park to reverse, neutral, or drive. It was a very hot day and my car had sat idle for 8 hours in the sun while I was working. I got into my vehicle and started the car. I tried to turn the dial type shifter to drive and it was locked. I immediately looked online on my phone to see if this was something like turning the wheel one way and then the other and it would unlock. I found some people said to press on the brake and release because maybe it had not completely disengaged when the vehicle was turned off, but that did not work. I then found something else that said to to engage the parking brake and then disengage, that did not work either. Now while stuck in the parking lot alone since all have left and I could not move, a client of the agency I work at, starts banging on my window and screaming at me. Luckily security was still inside and came out to assist me, but it could have gotten ugly because my car that is now only 4 years old, but was 3 years old then, won't function properly. I called the Ford Dealership I deal with, and they tell me that they have never heard of this problem. All the while I am sitting in the car now with the AC on, because it is so hot, and now my car shifts into gear when I try after 10-20 minutes. I found a forum where many people have had this issue and yet, Ford still tells me they have no idea what this is. Now this summer 2024 I have had this issue multiple days in row when it is hot and my car has sat for hours. I again called my local dealership and they still say that they have never heard of this issue and told me to have my car towed to the service center. And yet here is this [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service All-Wheel Drive" remained displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the All-Wheel Drive Module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who replaced the All-Wheel Drive Module and vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,700. | Crash: No Fire: No | 74,700 |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Took in the vehicle to be inspected and Ford said the AWD module isn't working. It states my AWD is off and not functioning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am getting the following error messages: awd fault service required/ service AdvanceTrac /pre collision assist not available / hill assist not available/ AWD off / powertrain malfunction/ reduced power. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The transmission of the car makes a loud rattling noise only on cold starts, almost sounds like metal is rubbing together. Car has 63K miles, and drives fine but will make rattling noise at cold start, typically around 1.3K RPM. Once the car has ran for a bit in idle, the RPM drops to around 1K and the noise subsides. There are no warning lamps and the vehicles has not been inspected. I am unaware how my safety could be at risk, the problem seems to only be during the cold start for now. This problem has been reported by the NHTSA in SSM 49411, but I wanted to notify that I have had a similar issue with the same vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2024 | STRUCTURE | Driver's side front door is making loud noises when opening and closing. Noise appears to be coming from the middle hinge. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gear shift knob was seized on several occasions. After waiting for hours, the gear shifter was able to operate as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, and the contact was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| May 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The shift selector locks in park when it gets hot. Several times the car has been disabled due to the shifter being locked in park. The car is in the driveway not allowing for our other car to reach the street. If we had an emergency we were without a car. In addition, no vechicle could get to our house. When the shifter is cooled down it will operate. Meaning that left over night or using some cooling device - like a plastic bag filled with ice water - applied directly can free the shifter up in an hour or so. This issue is mentioned frequently on the internet by other Ford Escape owners. In some cases they claim that Ford actually acknowledged the issue and had a dealer replace the shifter assembly at no cost to the owner. We do not feel safe with no access to transportation due to a disabled vehicle blocking our driveway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE | The door has separated and will not close properly. I’m concerned the door could potentially open while in operation. My wife should not have to climb through the passenger side of the car to drive somewhere because the driver door has come apart. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Two notifications come up on the screen after vehicle is started. Front camera fault service required. Pre-collision assist not available. This started right after pre collision assist went off on 05/13/2024. There has been no inspection on the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver door will not close properly making popping sounds when closing driver window also does not roll down | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The car was bought at matt blatt kia in July 2023 certified pre-owned with 164 safety inspection check. 2 weeks ago the check engine light came on and it was code p0420. Kia told me to call ford and they told me I have to pay for the diagnostics and the repair. The car was smoking under the hood and didn't drive safely. It's at a shop and was told the catalytic converter needs to be replaced and it's 2300. He said ford's responsible for it because there's issues and I just found out there's an active recall from BEFORE I bought the car that was never fixed which caused the issue now. Ford refuses to fix the car and I've had to pay for a car rental the past w weeks and my car payment. The cars sitting at the mechanic. Soon as the engine light came on, I tried to take it where I bought it they said I had to pay for it and ford said it's not covered and neither dealer had loaner cars for me | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE | Driver door pops loudly opening and closing and one of the weld spots on the door closing plate is broken off inside the door. Also, the cover over the closing arm is broken and won’t stay in place. I have read others reporting door not properly closing because of these welds breaking down. The contact stated all of the welds have broken loose and the vehicle door won’t close properly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 20–40 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who completed a test drive and informed the contact that the vehicle was in ECO Mode and recommended driving the vehicle in SPORT Mode. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 18,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,000 |