Complaint volume
1436 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
1436 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
1436 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 188
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
1,436 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | Driver side door henge is making a loud popish / clicking noise. Driver window is extremely slow to roll down / up | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN | I have paid for Ford to look into a AWD error code that came up and they had stated that my PTU has failed and they did a fix for that but I still have the same issue. The vehicle deactivates AWD and defaults to 2 wheel drive until Ford can get it in | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | The driver's side door spot weld failure in the door's arm. Unable to close the door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when she opened the driver's side door, the door made an abnormally loud popping sound. The contact stated that the abnormal sound had gotten louder, and additionally, the driver's side power window was moving extremely slowly, and she was afraid of opening the window. The contact stated that when the door was fully opened, it would take an abnormal amount of effort to close the door as the door appeared to be stuck. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the door latch could be repaired; however, a diagnostic test had to be completed on the driver's side window. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: SSM 50150 for Cracked Or Broken Spot Welds In The Left Front Door At The Check Arm Attachment Points (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 105,000 |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | There is a popping noise when the door opens and you can see the metal flexing where arm is connected to. If that fails the door could possibly fly open or fail to open altogether. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The driver side door hinge has separated/ broken away from the door frame. The damage has also caused internal issues with the working mechanisms inside the door such as the window not going down fully. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | There was a popping noise when opening the door. Dealer said it was a weld crack on the door plate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | After experiencing cracking and popping noises I took car to dealer and was told the welds on driver door are cracked. The window will not roll down. The door swings open and I fear it will brake off. Occurred at 34000 but 6 months after warranty ended. Over $2500 to repair and was told no recall and it is a common problem. Long wait for doors due to so many customers needing doors replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | heard a small popping noise when i opened the door. the next day i heard a louder pop and the driver door no longer would hold open. the door check bracket separated from the door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Out of no where I got codes for a AWD system fault, pre collision fault and hill start and traction assist fault. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The contact's wife owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Maintenance 2" was displayed. The contact stated that he saw white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Transmission Not in Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an oil leak, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 68,000 |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | My Ford Escape driver's door is getting worse. The weld is broken, and my window only goes down about one-half inch. Sometimes when I'm driving it makes a loud noise and I'm afraid it may open by itself. It's getting worse as time goes on. I've taken it into a ford repair shop, and they have checked it out. They are contacting FORD to see if they will cover the cost. I cannot afford $2500 for this repair and frankly, I'm starting to worry about my safety while driving it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver door door check tore loose bent window track.cant put windows down all the way, sometimes door does not want to close.ford wants 12-1500 to fix there flaw | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Vehicle cannot engage park. Shift sys fault appears and throws a code that states that park may not be available. Ford has refused to help. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My drivers door arm receptor has broken free of its spot weld inside the door, causing severe safety issues. [see Car and Driver article BY ALESSANDRA KAESTNER PUBLISHED: JUL 14, 2023] Same issue. This happened to me today 09/20/2023. * I cannot fully open drivers window because of this defect. Major safety issue if my vehicle goes into water. * I cannot open the door from outside, if locked. Major issue to persons with disabilities who can't climb across the console or back seats. I pulled a leg muscle today doing so. My back hurts also. Ford spot-welded the door arm receptor on a piece of metal that is too thin to provide support. <I PICTURES IF NEEDED> This is enough for a recall. When will you do this? What is taking so long? Already tired of not being able to use drive thru because my window will not lower. A major inconvenience. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | spot weld failure in doors arm. a loud popping noise when comes open or closed. sometimes doesn't want to close. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | Door was creaking and making several popping noises when opening and closing. That went on for about a month, going from just a creak, to a pop, to several pops. Now there is very little sound, but the door occasionally resists closing completely. Took it in, and was told a piece inside had popped away from the door. They said it would require body work, but the warranty had run out to cover it. They will reach out to Ford for assistance. They stated that Ford has been "really good" about covering the repair, but could take up to 3 weeks to hear back from Ford. I was told it was ok to keep driving it in this condition, but to not roll the window down. Several articles I've found indicate this is a known problem, and that there's a possibility the door could open while driving. Please push Ford to issue a recall! This is very dangerous! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The front driver door is broken. It is about to fall off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On the dates of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Monday, September 11, 2023, and Sunday September 17, my car stopped (with Start/Stop activated) in traffic, rotated the gearshift to park, would no let me manually rotate the gearshift into neutral, nor could I restart the vehicle. I had the battery replaced on Saturday, September 9, 2023, towed to my local Ford Dealership on Monday, September 11, 2023. On Thursday, Septmeber 14, 2023 I received my car back, and my vehicle shut down for the third time on Sunday September 17. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driver's side door is broken. Started with popping sounds, then just snapped. Door can open and close but automatic window cannot be used. I have a video of the sound the door makes currently but was unable to upload it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | Left front door hinge failure and door was unable to be closed. $2278 in repairs to resolve the door and damge caused to the left fender. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Lift gate malfunction. Popping / sticking while opening & closing | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | SPOT WELDS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR ARE BROKEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission dropped out of gear on the highway and would not accelerate. Had to coast to the side. Indicator stated shift system fault. Turned off and restarted and it worked again going forward but there was no reverse gear. Code states “ The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert.” and also “ The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission shift solenoids is not responding as expected or is stuck in the off position. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert.” The vehicle has not been inspected yet but does constantly show shift system fault and makes rattle and clicking noises when shifting. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STRUCTURE | The pop weld on drivers side door is broken, door makes a cracking, popping sound when opening and closing. Window will not roll down on this door. Door opened during driving but no damage or injury occurred. Ford is refusing to fix problem due to being 4 months outside of warranty even though I am under 36,000 miles. Will cost upwards of 3,000 to fix | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |