1434 Total complaints
19 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
22 Injury reports
Quick answer: The 2020 Ford Escape has 1434 consumer-submitted complaints in our database. The most common complaint categories are structure, unknown or other, power train. Enriched records show 19 crash reports, 3 fire reports, and 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.

Complaint volume

1434 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.

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?

Enriched complaint indicators from official bulk records.

19 Crash
3 Fire
22 Injury
0 Fatality
30 Towed
9 Medical attention

Mileage at failure is available on 305 complaints ; average reported mileage is 45,215 miles.

Most common incident states: NY (5), CA (4), IL (4), PA (4), GA (3), IN (2), KS (2), MO (2).

What are the most common 2020 Ford Escape complaint categories?

1,434 total complaints on record

Latest complaints

Showing 101-125 of 1434 complaints.

Date Component Summary Severity Mileage
Jan 2026 ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM This recall has been open since mid 2025 and there is still no solution. My vehicle has been smelling of fuel everyday and is having a hard time starting when I fuel up. Check engine light is on and the code is this issue. Cannot get it fixed until this recall becomes available to be fixed by Ford. It has been WAY too long. The safety of me and my family riding in the my car everyday is unsafe. I cannot afford to fix this on my own and be reimbursed God knows when Ford comes up with a solution.
Incident: May 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to press the Push to Start button; however, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle remained at the residence. A dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Incident: Jan 2026
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact had been waiting on parts for six months. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident: Jan 2026
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 38,697.
Incident: Jul 2025
Crash: No Fire: No 38,697
Jan 2026 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident: Jan 2026
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE Warning lamps messages says so many things not available dash board crazy with at least 10 messages not working
Incident: Sep 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jan 2026 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM MFG RECALL #25S76 NHTSA RECALL #25V467 FORD IS NOT COMPLYING IN FIXING THIS RECALL ABOVE. IT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS AND I HAVE ONLY RECEIVED ONE LETTER STATING THE RECALL ABOVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH POSSIBLE "CRACKED FUEL INJECTORS" WHICH COULD RESULT IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE! WHEN AM I GOING TO RECEIVE A NOTICE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 POWER TRAIN Total failure of transmission. The transmission on this car failed while driving making it unable to move and creating a risk of collision with other vehicles. No warning displayed on dash until after failure. Noticed some minor vibrations when decelerating at speed was at 25mph. Mileage was approx 80,000 miles. Mechanic diagnosed the possible cause as the failure of the transmission fluid pump or failure of "lifetime" transmission fluid. Cost to replace was $9,000
Incident: Jul 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 STRUCTURE The driver side door is popping and cracking when I open it. It literally sounds like it's going to break and fall off at any moment.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Based on the current recall for the 2020 Ford Escape, fuel injectors could crack, become hot and further leading to a fire under the hood. This letter of notice was sent in August 2025, its now nearly 2026 with zero repair in order. This is a huge safety issue, having a recall for something that could cause a fire screams safety issue!! Being informed by a dealership that there is currently no update, no parts, or currently no fix to this issue. That also screams safety issue. I don't want to drive a vehicle that has a pretty major safety issue and not have any idea if or when it will be repaired. Personally I am looking for a way to trade this vehicle in or legally look at laws how this works as I have a family to transport in this vehicle and no longer want to risk our safety. Its absolutely insane to have a pretty major recall open for this length of time and have zero repair for it.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER Ford has CSP 22N15 that provides a one-time repair to reprogram the Gateway Module (GWM) for unlimited years of service and unlimited miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle. My vehicle was manufactured in Louisville in 9/2020, which appears to fall in the range of vehicles covered by this CSP, yet Ford keeps telling me that it is not covered and I was required to pay for the fix.
Incident: Oct 2024
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 POWER TRAIN I completed my 70,000 maintenance on my vehicle on Monday. Friday when I got in my car after shopping, the dash light for parking brake kept coming on. When I put it in drive, the engine light, park assist light, collision assist light, and multiple warning lights kept cycling on my car’s screen. I drove back to the dealership and they kept the car from Friday morning until Monday afternoon before a diagnosis was handed to me. The write up states that the vehicle is “is slipping in every gear” due to “internal mechanical failure.” I am at 70,000 miles and I purchased that car on Jan 4, 2021. Therefore I am out of warranty. I have only had the dealer work on my car except for purchasing tires from an outside source. This is a catastrophic failure of a part that should not be failing. The tech is not even guaranteeing that this will fix the problem.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER I am getting warnings on my dash every day, about TPMS system failure. Sometimes it shows all four tire pressure, sometimes one or two of them will shut off with the warning alarm, sometimes it is all four of them will stop showing. It is intermittent module failure, the sensors in the tire are working. There is a current recall for some of my year/make/model 20S59, but corporate Ford is saying it does not apply to my vehicle. The exact same issue as this recall has happened to my vehicle.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 STRUCTURE My vehicle was subject to Ford Campaign 23B56 (front door check-arm reinforcement spot weld inspection). The dealership marked the campaign as completed and claimed the left front door failed inspection and was replaced. However, the door still does not close properly, and the check-arm area appears unchanged or improperly repaired. I believe the recall repair was not performed correctly or was misrepresented as completed. This is a safety concern because the door does not operate properly. I am requesting investigation of improper recall completion.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Cabin fills with gasoline fumes when on. Took it to local dealership to have Manufacturer Recall Number25S76, NHTSA Recall Number25V467 repaired. Dealership can reproduce the issue of gasoline fumes filling the cabin, but says they can't repair the vehicle until parts become available. I contacted Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford headquarters tell me the parts aren't yet available for the recall and they will not be able to assist. The case number for my call with Ford headquarters is XXX. The safety of myself and my children is at risk because LIQUID FUEL AND OR FUEL VAPOR THAT ACCUMULATES NEAR A HOT SURFACE, SUCH AS HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENTS MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY according to the recall. Please help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM While driving and idling, strong exhaust fumes enter the cabin, especially when the vehicle is in park or stopped at a traffic light. Air recirculation shuts off by itself and the airflow is very weak even on high settings. Remote start caused the cabin to fill with fumes before entering the vehicle, leading to headache and difficulty breathing within minutes. Symptoms are consistent with carbon monoxide exposure. Cabin and engine air filter is brand new. Just replaced 12/13/2025. Fumes are significantly worse at idle, suggesting an exhaust manifold crack or turbo exhaust leak. This is a serious safety hazard, and I am concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning and risk of losing consciousness while driving. It was so bad I had to have all windows open and the heat off in 30 or below temperature just to breathe. I have a very small child with heart problems and I'm concerned my vehicle is no longer safe to drive.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1. AWD system: sensor in rear axel causing "AWD system fault error". 2. Without the functionality of my AWD system related to this malfunction I am left with a vehicle that can not perform in the conditions that may require AWD, such as deep snow which could result in me crashing. 3. Yes. My car is currently at a Ford certified mechanic. 4. Unknown. 5. "AWD system fault error, service engine soon" as we were driving down the highway toward our home. We took it to the mechanic as soon as they had an opening, which was a week from the error message appearing.
Incident: Nov 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 STRUCTURE there was a door weld recall on my vehicles' door. I took it to the service shop. Was told Ford had no doors for replacement and to check back. i checked back after almost a year. service shop said Ford had indefinitely suspended fixing the door. Meanwhile, i am unable to roll down the drivers side window more than 2 inches. The recall does not show up as unrepaired, yet the door is broken. I don't know the next steps to take.
Incident: Oct 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,TIRES The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised that the recall remedy was available for vehicles experiencing a recall-related failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Incident: Oct 2025
Crash: No Fire: No 82,000
Dec 2025 STRUCTURE I exited my 2020 Escape and as I walked around the car to go into my house, as ai was passing the back of my car the Liftgate glass completely shattered. In the days prior I noticed the defroster was not defrosting all the way. I just got this car a month ago. Glass was everywhere thankfully no one was hurt nor were any of my kids in or around the vehicle at the time the window shattered.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 VISIBILITY/WIPER The windshield wipers will slow to an intermittent-type speed while working in either low or high on a wet windshield. Ford had recall 23B35 on the Bronco for this exact issue; the fix was a reflash of the vehicle's windshiel wiper motor.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud vibrating sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unsure where the vibrating sound was coming from. The dealer was made aware of the concern. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not available. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle because the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact wanted to return the vehicle back to the dealer due to the safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,500.
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No 77,500
Dec 2025 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable timeframe for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident: Aug 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2025 UNKNOWN OR OTHER As a firefighter, I find it concerning that this recall has been issued for so long and no resolution has been found. The amount of vehicle fires that I see with reports of it "just starting to smoke, and then was on fire when I pulled over!" can easily be explained by fuel leaking into the hot engine compartment and combusting. This is my wife's primary vehicle, so I do not see it as fair that we have to send her on her way while there is no resolution to a potentially catastrophic issue. These vehicles need to be pulled off the roads before someone dies!
Incident: Dec 2025
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown

Related research