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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical system was behaving erratically. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with the keyless entry failing to lock or unlock the vehicle and the vehicle failing to recognize the key fob. Additionally, the infotainment system was inadvertently changing the radio station and the lights were turning on and off independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic control module. The contact was informed that the module needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure became a recurring failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 20. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20 |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Recall 22n17 needs to include the gear knob for the chrome peeling. It cut my finger and thumb. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Awd module failed Problem confirmed by dealer Ford previously had a recall for this exact problem. That recall should not have expired as the problem is still ongoing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My compressor went out during a road trip and it spread metal particles through the entire AC system, ruining basically the whole thing. My concern is the sheer number of ford escapes that seem to be having issues with their compressors. So many that the part is on back order almost everywhere. I think it’s worth looking into that Ford may need to recall this part. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | Spot weld on door may exhibit cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. Door pops and cracks when it is opened or closed due to welds failing. We took it to the ford dealer and they told us there is not a recall on it so we will have to pay for the repair and IF there is a recall on it they will pay us back for the repair cost. Will that be the dealer price or the price we had to pay at another garage? We have a repair scheduled at another garage. It will be $400. IF YOU DON'T OWN A FORD, DON'T BUY ONE. This model already has had 10 recalls! Ford don't build cars, they build junk! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT YET? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving vehicle and AWD became disabled, received a major power train fault, and pre collision system disabled as well as other safety issues. Took to ford dealer and they said it was the AWD control module that caused the faults but this was not covered under powertrain warranty. There was a customer service program for this for 2020 escapes but my vin was not covered. It is identified as a powertrain fault so how is that not covered under powertrain warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the AWD module warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the AWD system and advised that the vehicle was stuck in 2WD. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B19 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 42,000 |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | The front left drivers door check guide bracket spot welds have separated from the door frame resulting in the door not opening and closing properly,the window will not roll down or up with the door closed .The door can only open about half way and doesn't shut properly without using unexcusable force .The spot-welds are clearly broken because there are 3 holes in the door where the door check mounting bracket is spot welded to the door shell .If I need to get in or out of the vehicle very fast in an emergency,the door may not open enough for me to get in or out or may not even open at all.If I need to roll down the window with the door shut in an emergency situation I will not be able to,I would have to break the window to escape danger.Ford needs to be responsible for fixing this problem that is clearly a manufacturing defect .A recall by Ford is due immediately to fix this dangerous issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The driver side door brake isn't working properly due to broken welds in the assembly. I took it to my Ford dealer, and they will not give warranty consideration because the vehicle is over 36,000 miles, but under 3 years. I have done some research, and this is an ongoing problem with this model year. Their solution is to have me pay for an entire new door and assembly at a cost of between $2500-$3500. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | When opening and shutting the drivers door it makes a terrible popping noise and is hard to shut. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. Window not operable. Door difficult to close due to interference of broken bracket inside door assembly. This is a known issue for make/model. Poor quality spot welds at point of attachment. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | My check arm broke at the welding sites and has now affected my locks, window, and the door staying open/shut. I am worried about my window shattering and my door not closing or opening while I am driving. My locks are no longer working which leaves me to be worried about someone getting into my car, since there is not way for me to lock my door. They don’t even work with the key fob. The outside manual lock will not turn. The problem was confirmed by the dealership Ken Stoepel Ford In Kerrville, TX. But they will not fix it because it is out of warranty due to mileage. There was no warning of this. I was parked when it happened. I simply opened my door to get in and it snapped. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I am reporting a weld malfunction on the driver's side door for the check arm assembly. I started to hear a log poping noise out of the blue one day. And the next thing i knew the door was not opening properly. Took it in they informed me the weld had broken and that i would need a brand new door. I unfortunately am no longer under warranty. And feel this should be a recall, given it is a manufaturers error. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My door all of a sudden started popping and now the window will not go down and the door will not lock. The welded spots to hold on the door henge thing is gone and the henge is free moving in the door but still attached to the frame. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The welding at the door check has completely come apart on the driver door and is popping in the passenger door. The driver window no longer rolls down. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We noticed a loud "popping" sound in the hinge of the driver side front door. The door was unstable and we had trouble shutting the door. After research we realized this could be a problem that could cause the door to open while driving. The car is at a Ford Dealer being repaired now and the cost to me is $1157. Ford is not taking care of this dangerous situation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to open the front driver’s side door, the door failed to open all the way. Additionally, there was a cracking sound coming from the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the door weld on the front driver’s side door had fractured, and that the door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that assistance would be provided with the cost of the door replacement. The failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE | The door started popping when it was opened and closed. After one day the weld completely busted loose and the window no longer rolls down either. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | My car is displaying similar symptom found on a fleet version of the car - SSM 50150 - 2020-2021 Escape - Cracked Or Broken Spot Welds In The Left Front Door At The Check Arm Attachment Points In The Door Assembly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | In February 2023, we noticed a popping/ snapping sound coming from the driver's door and it would not stay open on its own. Over the next couple weeks the power window began having trouble staying up and then it simply would not stay up at all. In March I took it to the dealership it was purchased from and had it looked it. After a couple hours I was told that the spot welds had failed and that the only way to fix it was to replace the entire door at my expense (approx $2k). The gentleman in charge told me it was not the first he had seen with this issue and if I got it repaired anywhere to keep my receipt for any issues recalls. The only solution I had was to have my husband get the window into place and disconnect the electrical to the window buttons. I have also had to deal with many bruises on my legs due to the door randomly closing on me while getting in and out. I'm disabled and this is a major problem for me. I have personally inspected the door and there are three holes next to the interior door panel that I believe are the location of some of the broken welds. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | Drivers door began popping when opened or being closed. Looked at door and the spot welds on door check attachment point were broken out. We had our local dealer inspect and were told that they were aware of several that were broken in our local area. They also stated one of the cars was sent to a local body shop and repaired. New door and door check. All was paid by Ford. A second came in not long after and they sent it in for repair (same dealer same body shop) and Ford will not pay(reimburse) dealer for completed repairs. Ford knows there is a problem. Apparently they don't want to fix it. I put screws in our door to temporarily fix the problem because we were afraid the check bracket could cut the wiring inside door or get hung up inside the door causing the door to be inoperable. Our car had about 68000 miles on it when it was first noticed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | Both ( Left and Right ) front door check strap attachment points have broken welds. This causes difficulty closing the doors and causes a loud auditable creaking noise when opening or closing the doors. Dealer attempted to fix issue by replacing the actual check strap on each side a total of 3 times before deciding it was a broken weld. By that time car was out of warranty and Ford declined to repair it at their expense. Estimate given by dealer to repair at my cost was over $3500, citing the need to replace both front doors. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | The door check bracket on front driver door failed completely. The anchor point in the door broke off the door frame internally. All 6 tack welds failed. The door was stuck open with the check arm fully extended into the door. DeLong Ford of Dwight got me back on the road after removing the check arm. I drilled out the six failed tack welds and riveted the anchor to the door frame at the six points on driver door and replaced the check arm due to damage. I could not afford the almost $2k it would have cost to have the entire door shell replaced and painted, with no promise that I would not experience the failure again in the future. Ford offered to split that cost with me 50/50 because I purchased the vehicle brand new and was no longer in the warranty period. The door check is currently failing on the passenger front door, 2 of the 6 tack welds have failed. It is a matter of time before it fails completely. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I just took my 2020 Ford Escape (bought new) into Maryland State Emissions for testing, they informed me that many Ford models do not connect with the computer at MD State Emissions. When I took the car back to Ford for a software up grade they said they could not sell a car without passing emission for MD State. However they would perform the upgrade and charge me. So why did you give them permission to sell a car that can not pass the emissions test? If you search on-line you will see many people have this exact problem. This should be under a warranty recall, at no charge!! They also told me that the car was out of warranty, of course it is how can I know the car emissions won't connect to MD State computer if it takes over 2 years for MD State to require your first test! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STRUCTURE | The drivers door when opening looks like it’s going to rip off at the hinges. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |