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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE | Front driver door spot welds failed for the restrictor arm. Ability to open drivers door and window affected. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver door is making a loud creaking or popping noise when opening the door. Afraid the door might fall off. Have not taken it to a dealer for assessment yet. No warning signs or symptoms prior to this happening. Have read a lot of other complaints about this and don't know why there isn't a recall on this yet. This needs to be corrected before a serious injury happens if it hasnt already. Car only has 35k miles on it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Ford service center diagnosed a failed AWD module. It was only examined by the Ford techs at the dealership where I bought it. Total price was approx $1200 which was covered by extended warranty plan, but I had to pay a $250 deductible. The mileage when the warning illuminated was approx 38,900. While driving, AWD OFF was illuminated on dash. As well as POWERTRAIN FAULT, HILL START ASSIST OFF, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST UNAVAILABLE, SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, AND SEE MANUAL. I was put at risk because all of my safety features seemed to be failing. I have heard many others having the same issue all with low miles.(40,000 or less) I believe this component requires a recall because I had only owned the car 3 weeks when this happened. I havent even made a payment on it yet!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE | Swing arm hinge spot weld has broken loose. Cannot roll the window down, hard to shut. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The driver and passenger only open all the way now. When the doors are opened it sounds like they are breaking or going to fall off. It is the mechanism that holds the door to the car when the doors are open. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | Door makes a loud clanging noise when open and does not stay open | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | At 25,768 miles, multiple warning messages appeared including: service advanced track, 4WD fault, no cruise control ability, no pre-collision assist, hill side assist fault, and no traction control. BC self test was performed by a mechanic. The vehicle was purchased 3 months prior at the same dealership that performed the test. Results: No communication with AWD module found. The issue was AWD module faulty. AWD module was replaced and reprogrammed. The issue was not covered under the power train warranty (available for 5 years, 40,000 miles) due to the problem relating to the electrical system. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The drivers door has a loud popping cracking like the door is going to break. It won’t shut properly. This is the 2020 escape. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The piece that keeps my driver side door from opening to the point of breaking has broken from the door, and in turn is preventing my driver side window from opening/closing. The cause of this problem is that the solder came loose from the inside of the door. If the wind catches my door, I risk the chance of it buckling at the hinge of the driver door. I have taken it to the dealership in my area and they have reported it to Ford, who states that they are aware of the problem and are trying to find a solution. I am being told that it is going to be a recall, but it is not ready yet? It has been this way for almost 2 months. I took it to the dealership the first time on 3/5/24. Still nothing. This is unacceptable. If anything they can put on a new door. Something needs to be done. They tried to get me to trade it in...I cannot afford that! The date below is approximate, it was around then that I noticed, but it started making a noise when I opened/closed the door for about a week before I called dealership about the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s side door opened unintendedly. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 62,000 |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | Left front door has a broken spot weld at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly, occurring on 04/23/24. The weld has completely separated from door component, causing the door to open too wide & barely close completely. This has also caused the sensors in the window to malfunction and the window will not open at all. Has been brought to a dealership and inspected to determine the broken weld is the cause of these problems, and that they have been widely reported by other drivers of this make and model Ford Escape. There were no prior warning lights before breakage, the left front door started making a snapping sound 1 day (04/22/24) before the door weld fully snapped and detached. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact became aware that vehicle front driver door was coming apart due to the door welds. The contact stated that in the event of a crash, the contact could be severely injured. In addition, the contact stated that driving the vehicle with a damage door could become a safety hazard. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle could not be repaired until the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had provided guidance on how to proceed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My driver side door started creaking the other day now I can barely open it and then it just opens on me when I least expect it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | Drivers door popping won’t close all the way window hitting something when you try to roll it down spot welds broken in door | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver’s side door failed to latch properly or remain closed and unintendedly opened while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,000 |
| Apr 2024 | SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Rear Belt Monitor Fault Service" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | Door making popping noise, window won't go down. sometimes won't open easily. control arm problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Front passenger door is coming apart - literally the inside structure is separating from the frame of the car. The driver door is automatically locking even when key fob is in the car. When rolling up windows- the Automatic windows continue to roll up and down without touching the buttons. Engine is puttering upon start up- low idling. The engine cuts out when pressing gas upon driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Vehicle 4 years old under 100,000 miles now having transmission issues, vehicle took into for dealership for review (check engine light on)car owner informed service member that specializes in transmission repair not in for 3 weeks as of March 2024. Vehicle now experiencing slipping when acceleration/ deceleration, slipping to stop. Vehicle showing signs of issues as reported with current Ford Lawsuit Accusing Automaker of Concealing Fusion, Escape 6F35 Transmission Problems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH with the driver assist cruise control activated, the vehicle was slowing down for traffic ahead. The contact stated that the driver assists automatically engaged the brakes but as the vehicle neared the rear end of the vehicle ahead the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact manually depressed the brake pedal which disengaged the driver assist cruise control function. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that sensors for the driver assist function needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure of the driver assists function reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that her Forward Collision Avoidance feature was intermittently being activated without another vehicle nearby. The contact had taken the vehicle several times to the same dealer and was informed that the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,358. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,358 |
| Apr 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | Driver side door is literally falling off. The hinge is broken and the dealer says although it is a known issue Ford will not cover it. I cannot open the door or else will not be able to close it again. It took two men to close it once it broke and I've been using the passenger side door to enter and exit. I have 2 small children. All electronics inside of door are now non-functioning. Dealer wants $3,000 to repair. Not sure how a non-functioning door is not a safety issue. There are times when you may have to exit a vehicle in an emergency situation (like when it's on fire, in an accident, etc.) not to mention when you're driving down the highway and the door flies off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver's side door stated popping when you open or close the door. No warning of any kind 4/18/24. It is harder to open and close requiring more forch than normal. The window also does not always go up or down all the time. The window has been an issue for a couple of months. We tried lubricating the arm, before we read online of the issue. We do have 3 small holes when the apprent tac welding once was. Very concerned that the door will not latch properly or remain closed during operation of vehicle. We have had the vehicle since it was brand new there is approximately 38,000 to 39,000. We can take to Ford dealer if you like for confirmation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driving's door hinge is broken. There was a investigation by NHTSA and it was closed due to Ford promising to fix doors to cutsomters satisfaction. Ford will only pay $1200 for at least a $3000 repair. I never received the letter in March that was suppose to go to all 2020 Ford Escapes about this problem. Ford sent to its dealerships an SSM 50150. This issue was known since Sept. 2021 but I was never advised about this. I was told by the dealership that it is out of warranty. It wasn't when the creaking and hard to close issue started. I didn't know that it would eventually break loose. My car was in and out of the dealership for another issue that took months to fix. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My Escape only has 60k miles on it. I got off work and needed to open my passenger door to get my work bag. Being a single mom, my kids ride in the back and the passenger seat is rarely used. I opened the door and it fell apart. The arm on the door just broke. Now I'm stuck with a hefty bill on a newer car. I am not sure how it broke, it just snapped halfway into opening. Ford told me this should be a recall ad they are seeing tons of it. Now I'm worried will my doors open going down the road with my kids? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I began to smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. This persisted for several days and I brought it in to the Ford Dealer. They found that there’s an exhaust leak down at the oxygen sensor that doesn’t seal against the catalytic converter. This is a very dangerous issue with this vehicle as it can kill the occupants of the vehicle while the car is being driven. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |