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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,VISIBILITY | Front windshield failed sporadically under mild thermal shock. Outside temperature was in the range of 10°F and inside cabin had been warming up for about 30 minutes. Heat was not set to defroster. While stopped at an intersection, the windshield suddenly cracked across about 70% bottom edge emanating from a wiper contact point. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Has not been reproduced. I’ve received anecdotes that this exact same break type and location has occurred under very similar circumstances in other Ford Escapes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The vehicle started, but the dashboard was black and the wheels were locked. The radio, heat, etc. were working. I could put it into drive and reverse, but the wheels would not move. The salesman I bought the car from drove out and loosened, then tightened the battery cables. He said that it would re-boot the computer. Either that worked OR the 20 minute wait time that I've been reading about worked. Before this problem occurred, there were a few times that I got a message on my middle screen, (Navigation, etc) saying "System Off To Save Battery...Please turn ignition off and start engine" The dealership could not find a problem other than a low voltage issue with the battery. The service advisor told me they had the battery on a testing device for a "really long time" and the low voltage issue never resolved. The service advisor also told me that I need to drive the car more and to watch for error lights in the cluster. About a month later, after running some errands , I turned the car off and a mild thud noise came from the engine area. I knew the vehicle did not shut down properly. When I came out from one of my errands and started my vehicle, a message came up on the middle screen, (n Navigation, etc.) It read " System Off To Save Battery....Please turn ignition off and start engine" There is also a burning smell when I drive the car now, this is new. From what I've read on this site there is no doubt in my mind that this particular make and model of the Ford Escape has some serious and dangerous issues. Please look into this. I DO NOT feel safe driving this vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | 2020 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BREAK IN PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE AND A CAR BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Driving down the road the car kicked off an error that said vehicle network communication error. We lost all lights, all controls, and started loosing power to the engine. The car died when we stopped it. It would not allow us to shut the head lights off so we did this manually. The car doesn’t respond in any way for anything | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE | Blind spot light goes off while driving with no car next to me | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | AIR BAGS | I was involved in a collision with a pick-up truck in Gallup, NM on 12/3/21. We hit the truck mid-section. Front of my Escape was pretty much destroyed. Our airbags did NOT deploy. Mine and my husbands safety was at risk due to the failure of the airbags to deploy in the crash. Vehicle is at the Ford Dealer in Gallup, NM waiting for State Farm to determine the next steps. I had no prior warnings or indications that the airbags were not functional. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing there was an abnormal noise detected. The contact stated that the brakes were sticking. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and an appointment was scheduled however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Nov 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon entering a drive-thru line at a slow speed, the home screen went blank as the "network configuration error" warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then stated that the vehicle then shut off and could not be restarted after multiple attempts. The contact was unable to place the vehicle into neutral and had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 17,000 |
| Nov 2021 | PARKING BRAKE | Parking brake came on by itself when parking on a dolly | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE | Blind spot monitor going off with no car next to me | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | STRUCTURE | The driver's side door hinge/arm broke and now swings wide open. I'm worried that the door will fly open while driving and don't think this should be happening on a 1 year old vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Shaking when driving under 40 mph from when I got the car. They have not been able to fix. Causes a distraction | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE | Light turns on when there is no car next to me. Took it in to Ford. They ran diagnostic but where not able to find an issue and returned the car. It is still turning on when there is no car next to me | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing and turning the steering wheel, the vehicle would make grinding noises. Additionally, the front driver’s side door latch had detached, and there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the failure was related to the vehicle being involved in a rear-end collision, where the liftgate was damaged and replaced by an auto body shop. The dealer informed the contact that the frame was bent from the collision and the warranty was voided so they could not assist in repairing the door latch. The dealer did perform an alignment. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent the contact a gift card but did not provide any assistance. Paid Drained and Flush rear end assembly and Refill. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,000 |
| Sep 2021 | STRUCTURE | The liftgate has a mind of its own. It closes without warning and crashes on my head! I can't load anything without holding one hand over my head to catch the door as it closes unexpectedly on my head. Even a shadow causes the liftgate to close - if a child or an animal walks by. If you turn off the automatic liftgate feature you manually have to lift the gate and close it. It is very heavy to lift and close and not practical. It is way too sensitive and needs to be addressed before someone is seriously hurt. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Groaning noise from engine compartment when accelerating | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Wrench light came on less than 1 week after purchase. Car was bogging down terribly. Took it to shop they said it was no big deal. Told me to drive it until they could get appointment. Next day it completely shut off on hwy. Air bag malfunction as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | After driving for 45 min on freeway,exit off and approaching a light to turn , went to accelerated and car wouldn’t go. It took a few seconds then it jumped and spontaneously accelerated. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Despite it being turned on, the Check rear seats for occupants alert stopped working. I no longer get that warning when car is turned off. The problem has not yet been reported to a dealer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into reverse independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the driver’s seat would go down and go forward while driving. The contact stated she could not readjust the seat after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the dealer test drove the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Aug 2021 | AIR BAGS | I was at a red light behind 4 cars, when as I look into the rearview mirror when I saw a white van coming at me at cruising speed. As I turned the steering wheel to the left, purposely trying to avoid the vehicle in front of me, the white van slammed into me and caused me to hit my head on the steering wheel and the window. I had my seat belt on, but I was hit so hard that the car frame was bent and I was hurt. I was informed that the reason not one of my airbags went off in the front of my car was, I was hit in the rear. If I would have let my car hit the car in front of me, I would have been protected by the airbags in the front. This is a serious issue and this complaint is to request the NTSB look into requiring all vehicles to have sensors throught out the car to keep drivers and passangers should remain as steady | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Interior lights are not working. Took the car to the dealership under the manufacturer warranty and they are unable to solve the problem. The dealership replaced the body control module and this did not fix the problem. Service tech stated they need to contact Ford Engineering to resolve the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 65-70 MPH, water started leaking from the air conditioner onto the brake and accelerator pedals and his foot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who cleaned the air conditioner drain line however, the failure persisted. The contact stated the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer several times and the drain line was cleaned however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated his foot was wet from water leaking onto it, and it slipped off the brake pedal almost causing the vehicle to crash. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the drain line was replaced as a Ford service hotline recognition of the problem however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage 2,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | When at a stop light upon acceleration the car is very sluggish. I have noticed if I turn the air off there seems to be slightly more power. I feel the safety in this comes when a vehicle is moving excessively slow that it causes a potential threat to being involved in an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the hands-free rear tailgate had on several occasions erroneously opened and closed without the close button being pressed or the open sensors being activated. The contact indicated that while retrieving groceries from the vehicle with the tailgate door raised the door suddenly began to close and hit the contact in the head causing a minor laceration. No medical treatment was required. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no service was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures but no assistance was offered and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 1,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | 1,000 |