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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, there was a very loud screeching sound coming from the rear wheels. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the brake pads and rotors, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was recently taken back to the dealer for the failure and the contact was informed that the rear brake pins needed to be replaced; however, the brake pins were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5 |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | Drivers front door started making popping noises. Called Ford dealer where car purchased and they said it just need hinges sprayed with WD40. I did and no change. Went to local mechanic and when I opened the door to show him it popped but then wouldn’t close. He said the welded holder for metal rod broke. Took off door panel to get it to close and now I have car with no door function, door opener, window opener, and door interior panel now in my back seat. Dealer won’t look at for 3 weeks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | My driver side door starting making cracking sounds when opening and closing then would not close. Got the door to close finally and took to Ford. They said it was something to do with the welds on the door. They originally told me that I would have to pay to have it fixed. Because I purchased the extended warranty I was told it would be covered under that. They told me I would need a new door and that they were on backorder. 9 months later and multiple unreturned calls and I find out they never ordered my door. My door swings open as soon as it unlatches and window doesn't go down. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | A few weeks ago, the drivers side front door of our 2020 Ford Escape began to make a popping sound upon opening and closing. The issue has now progressed to the door being nearly impossible to open, and the window will not go up and down. The issue seems to be related to what is described in the NTHSA bulletin SSM 50150. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The Spot Weld on the Driver side door is broke. based on information read this is an issue on this vehicle where the hinge breaks where the spot weld is suppose to hold. Has to be replaced and cost is $2400. Dealership said they have repaired a lot of these doors/Hinges. Asking to pay $2400 on an issue that Ford knows. They have a notice 50150 fro NHTSA that it is a known issue . Looking to help in reimbursing . per the site--- the spot welds' failure in the door's arm. In interviews with owners, NHTSA learned of 25 "minor injuries" and 1 report of "minor property damage." Some people have reported a popping noise when the door comes open and say that the door can be unable to latch when closed or can suddenly come open when it had been closed. According to the safety agency's investigation document, the problem is believed to be faulty spot welds in the check arm attachment points on the doors.As one example, an owner reported to NHTSA that "The driver side front door made a creaking sound, could not be opened, and the window would not go down. The internal weld to the door failed." | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | The driver's side door makes a popping sound when you open and close the door. The car was not involved in any accident and the mechanic stated it was a door hinge weld issue | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | The driver door creaks and wines like it is going to fall off or break off when you open it The passenger side door is also starting to do this. I took it to a dealership who told me to go to a auto body shop. They told me it should be a recall and do not pay for the repairs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | The check arm part of the door hinge is literally breaking off. It appears that the welds are failing and now the door won't close properly. I'm worried that the door may open on it's own or that it may open unexpectedly while I'm driving. The dealer says it is out of the 3/36k warranty period and will cost over 2500. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | My car door doesn’t open and close properly due to a problem with the door due to faulty spot welding. It doesn’t open or close properly. From what I see, this is an issue with many 2020 ford escapes. It also causes the window to not go down more than an inch. It could cause the door to open while driving but ford won’t seem to fix this issue unless I buy a whole new door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | defective spot welds at the check arm attachment points on the door on drivers side. Window does not work anymore because of it. Body shop said they have never seen anything like this and that it was not welded at all | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | Drivers side drivers door popping when opened and closed, will not latch | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR CHECK ARM ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE BROKEN AT SPOT WELDS - The door dose not close properly. - Authorized Ford Dealer Charles Gabus Ford in DesMoines, Iowa confirmed the problem | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | The 2020 Ford Escape was purchased new in March of 2020. The door welds are breaking in the driver's door is the problem. The door does not open or close properly now. It must be slammed to get it to close. The window in that door is twisting in the track so it can't be used. Dealer (Blackwell Ford) identified problem but claimed dealer not responsible and vehicle is out of warranty. (26124 miles on vehicle after1-1/ 2-years of covid shut down.) Ford's customer service department says vehicle is out of warranty and would be no assistance. I think the vehicle should be repaired/replaced at the manufacturers expense! Dealer quoted me a cost of $ 3,000 plus to make any repair. The big question is it safe to drive this vehicle? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | Parked my Escape in the garage on Thursday evening, December 14, 2023. Everything was ok. Opened the driver door Friday morning, December 15, 2023 and it made a funny creaking noise and felt draggy, didn't open smoothly. The noise continued each time I opened the door and seemed to get worse. On Tuesday morning, December 19th I took my vehicle to a Ford dealership to see what the problem was. They opened and looked at my door and said the hinge welds were breaking. They had seen about 5 or 6 Escapes in the last 2 weeks with the same problem. Said the door would have to be replaced - they would check into it and get back with me. My vehicle has 51,000 miles on it, so it is not covered by warranty. It is December 21st and I have not heard back from them and they have not responded to my text or phone calls. I am [XXX] and have taken good care of my vehicle. It has not been in any accidents, so I find it hard to believe that the door welds wear out after 51,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE | Driver door makes a loud popping noise. Did look into the manufacturer defect where the spot welds do not hold the door hinge | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | PASSENGER FRONT DOOR CHECK HAS CRACKED & IS NOT OPERABLE THERE WAS CONSISTENT "POPPING" SOUNDS FOR SOME TIME PRIOR. HE DEALER INSPECTED AND SAW BROKEN DOOR WELDS. HE INDICATED AT LEAST 3 SAME COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN MADE .THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS FOR 2200.00 IF I HAD TO PAY FOR IT THE DEALER SENT A CLAIM TO FORD REQUESTING THAT THEY TAKE CARE OF THE REPAIR I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | Door check bracket. Door randomly started making clunking noises, and middle hinge seems wobbly and unstable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | The door limiter has come lose and the spot welds are damaged. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | My drivers door will only open about 6 inches. I have to crawl across the console to drive. I took it to ford dealer who said it was a ford issue but I was a few months beyond my 36 month warrenty so it wasn't covered. He also said not to roll down the window or it might shatter. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | Drivers door making a popping noise when opening and closing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver's side front door: hinges are not working properly. Initially, the door made three cracking noises when I opened the door on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. I called my Ford dealer (AutonationFord, Scottsdale, AZ) on Wednesday to speak to my Ford Service Advisor Kevin Morgan. He was not at work Wednesday or Thursday but I obtained an appointment for Monday, 12/18/23 at 9:30 AM. On Saturday, 12/16, I rolled the driver's side window down, it took me 5 minutes to get it back up. Of course I had to leave my car on Monday. But my Ford dealer does not offer "loaners" or offer to pay for a rental car. So I borrowed a car from a friend. On Tuesday 12/19, I received a call from Kevin that they could not fix the hinge(s) because they were improperly welded at the factory. Furthermore, they returned my car to my home with instructions to take it to Bell Ford (Phoenix) Body Shop. On Wednesday 12/20, I drove my car to Bell Ford, and they made an appointment for me to drop it off on Wednesday 12/27. They provided me with a loaner car. I thought I would be picking my car up Friday 12/29. I received a call from Will Jones, Mgr. of the Body Shop on Thursday 12/27 that window regulators had been discontinued by Ford but they had found another one and would get it Wednesday, 1/03. So I should get my Ford Escape back on Thursday 1/04, I hope. Now the problem is Ford has not recalled this problem and it's not just my car but other 2020 and 2021 Escapes have the same problem with the driver's side door. I don't know about the window but obviously it "broke" because of the broken hinges. Help! Please get Ford to recall cars with door problems. I should not have to pay for this repair. Thank you for your help!!!! [XXX] (mileage 35,750 but 3 years was up August 2023. To me, this is not a warranty issue.) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | The welds have pulled out of my left drivers door check arm. My car has just 45,000 miles, just purchased 60 days ago. Now they want $2600+ to repair. I see many many many complaints about this issue. Add me to the list. This is ridiculous! It’s not like I had anything to do with the welds not holding! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | On 12/6/23, hinge on driver's side door broke. Piece is lodged in the door and window cannot go down. On 12/13/23, car was inspected at Ford dealership. Service Department confirmed hinge broke. According to Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) - 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." According to NHTSA site, "appropriate repair for this condition is the replacement of the door assembly and door check arm." Dealership quoted repair cost at $2,427.75. If car was under warrant the expense would be covered. Due to the car having 39,000 and the warrant expiring at 36,000, Ford is only willing to cover $1,000. I will need to pay $1,427.75 out of pocket. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | The driver side door is getting a "popping" and "grinding" sound everytime the door is opened or closed. Upon investigation, the metal lever has become unwelded to the door. All 3 weld spaces are detached from the door. In addition, the window on the driver side is not air tight and is intermittently stopped working. I am very concerned that because of the unwelded parts may cause the door to weaken and possibly fall off my vehicle while driving which could cause a serious accident or even death if driving on a highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | STRUCTURE | Driver door hinge welds broke and the door pops and creaks. The broken hinge rubbed on the window wiring harness and now the window won’t open. This has happened to hundreds of 2020 & 2021 ford escapes and my extended warranty won’t cover it because it’s coded as a “trim” piece, which is infuriating as it’s WELDED INSIDE of the door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |