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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2020 | POWER TRAIN | 2020 FORD ESCAPE CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VIBRATIONS AND A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. *LD *JS *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SET THE VEHICLE TO SPORT MODE (SSM 49151) BUT, THE VIBRATION PERSISTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *JS | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2020 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPM FELL AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE SPEED INCREASED ABRUPTLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE FORD (2100 SISK RD, MODESTO, CA 95350; (844) 362-2226) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,703. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,703 |
| Nov 2020 | WHEELS | CLICKING NOISE ON OUT SIDE OF CAR GOING 50 MPH | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Nov 2020 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2020 FORD ESCAPE FROM HERTZ RENTAL CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA WAS OFF CENTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2020 | LANE DEPARTURE | THE LANE KEEPING SYSTEM MADE ME BEER TO THE LEFT THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN THERE WAS NO LANE NEXT TO ME. ONE OF THOSE TIMES IT TRIED TAKING ME IN A WALL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED ALL THREE TIMES, THE STEERING WAS HARD TO CONTROL. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. IT HAPPENED TWICE ON A COUNTY COUNTRY ROAD AND ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING INSIDE A TUNNEL. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,500 |
| Oct 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DOES NOT WORK HALF THE TIME. | Crash: No Fire: No | 250 |
| Oct 2020 | STRUCTURE | THE RUBBER /PLASTIC AROUND THE WINDSCREEN HAS RELEASE FROM THE GLASS. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | HELLO, MY NAME IS [XXX]. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE, A 2020 FORD ESCAPE SEL, AND I HAVE BEEN TELLING MY CAR DEALERSHIPS ABOUT MY BACKUP CAMERA HOW IT JUST GOES ENTIRELY BLACK, AND IT SAID THAT THE CAMERA IS UNABLE TO WORK. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CAR DEALERSHIPS ABOUT IT. THEY KEEP SAYING THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE PART YET, AND I AM EXHAUSTED FROM TELLING THEM, AND I ALWAYS USE MY BACKUP CAMERA TO PARK MY CAR BACK, AND I NEED YOU GUYS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I JUST PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAVE BARELY BEEN DRIVING IT. 10/26 7AM BACK UP CAMERA WORKED FINE AND AT 630 PM WHILE BACKING UP-- IT NOW HAS UNVIEWABLE LINES THROUGH THE WHOLE SCREEN. IT LOOKS LIKE MY SCREEN IS CORRUPT OR THE BACK UP CAMERA IS BAD. | Crash: No Fire: No | 250 |
| Oct 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | THE ENGINE LIGHT IN MY 2020 FORD ESCAPE KEEPS COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO ADAMSON, NOW STIVERSON DEALERSHIP, A PART WAS INSTALLED ON THE SECOND VISIT. TWO DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAITED ONE WEEK UNTIL I COULD GET AN APPOINTMENT TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 22, 2020. AFTER WAITING ALL DAY, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NOT HAD A CHANCE LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 23, 2020 TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS HARD TRANSITIONS IN ACCELERATIONS AT TIMES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SIGNALING A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. I HAVE A WARRANTY ON MY CAR. I AM PAYING MY NOTES AND WARRANTY BUT THE ISSUE WITH MY "NEW" CAR IS NOT RESOLVED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Oct 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | SAFETY RECALL ANNOUNCED ON 2020 FORD ESCAPE. SELECTIVE, MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND MANRY-RAWLS LLC, MY AGENCY SENT ME AN EMAIL. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | SWITCH THAT OPERATES SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS IS BROKEN | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2020 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | BOTH FRONT HEAD LIGHT (SEALED) ASSEMBLIES HAVE SOME SORT OF FILM DELAMINATING INSIDE EACH ASSEMBLY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 323 |
| Aug 2020 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | VEHICLE SHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN NORMALLY DRIVING AND WHEN AUTO START AND STOP FEATURE FUNCTIONS. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO STAY IN, OFTEN TIMES JERKING VERY HARD, WHICH MOVES THE ENTIRE CAR AT A COMPLETE STOP OR TOSSES THE DRIVER IN THEIR SEAT WHEN MOVING AND SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, LOOSING THROTTLE AND FUNCTION, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET T-BONED BY 2 SEPARATE CARS IN TRAFFIC. OVERALL, THE VEHICLE HAS ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, ENGINE REALIZABILITY, AND GENERAL SAFETY FEATURES AS A WHOLE. SOMEONE CAN AND WILL GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THIS IS NOT INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER WHO CAN'T FIX THE ISSUE, DESPITE IT HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS INSISTED THE CUSTOMER DRIVE THE MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE COMPLAINT AND IS PROCESSING A BUY BACK ON MY PERSONAL VEHICLE. I JUST DON'T WANT OTHERS TO GET HURT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 450 |
| Aug 2020 | STEERING | WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, VEHICLES LANE KEEP ASSIST DETECTED THAT I WAS OUT OF MY LANE AND STEERED ME ONTO THE SHOULDER. I WAS CRUISING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AT ABOUT 75MPH WHEN THE LANE KEEP SWERVED ME ABRUPTLY ONTO THE SHOULDER AND I HAD TO RECOVER AGAINST THE SYSTEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,800 |
| Aug 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, REAR CAMERA DISPLAYS A DARK SCREEN WITH WAVES LIKE A BROKEN TV SCREEN. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND IS NOT CORRECTED BY SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH FROM PARK TO REVERSE. OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY SHIFTING TO REVERSE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,000 |
| Aug 2020 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR EXPERIENCES SIGNIFICANT LAG WHICH PUTS ME AT RISK OF COLLISION. I ATTEMPTED TO ASSOCIATE IT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING BUT IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY SYSTEM. VEHICLE SEEMS TO LOST HALF THE POWER AND I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY MOVE INTO TRAFFIC. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Aug 2020 | WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES,VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE CAR CAMERA GOES BLACK WITH SQUIGGLY LINES WHEN PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATES FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THERE IS A HUGE BACK ORDER ON GETTING A REPLACEMENT. NOW I HAVE A WHIRLING SOUND WHEN SPEED IS BETWEEN 25 MPH - 39 MPH. ONCE YOU LET UP ON ACCELERATION IT STOPS OR ONCE THE SPEED HAS GONE BEYOND 39 MPH. WHILE DRIVING ON GROVES HIGHWAYS YOU CAN FEEL BACKEND OF THE CAR MOVING AROUND. I HAD THIS ISSUE WITH A FUSION AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND DUE TO NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN THE WINTER. MY 2017 ESCAPE DOES NOT DO THIS. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE TRIM DOES NOT FIT SNUG, AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL. LASTLY, THE BRAKES MAKE A LOUD SQUEALING NOICE WITH A HEAVY MORNING DEW OR WHEN RAINING. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,200 |
| Aug 2020 | SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE REAR VIEW/BACKUP CAMERA HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE DAY WE DROVE IT HOME. IT WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT SHOWS WAVY LINES ACROSS THE SCREEN. OCCASIONALLY AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAMERA WILL START WORKING BUT THE REAR VIEW PICTURE WILL REMAIN ON THE SCREEN EVEN WHILE IN DRIVE! THERE IS ALSO A STRANGE HUMP IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS IF SOMETHING IS PUSHING UP FROM UNDERNEATH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND WE WERE TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR INSPECTION. NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND WE ARE GETTING NO HELP FROM THEM EITHER. WE HAVE A BRAND NEW, EXPENSIVE, DEFECTIVE, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. IT ALSO HAS THE STRANGE LUMP IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15 |
| Jul 2020 | AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. DURING THE CRASH FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE COLLISION ASSISTANCE SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT ACTIVATE TO AVOID THE CRASH. DURING THE INCIDENT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED CHEST WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER ROYAL OAK FORD LOCATED AT 27550 WOODWARD AVE, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067. AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 | 2,000 |
| Jul 2020 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN | ON THE 1.5L ENGINE WHEN YOU ARE ACCELERATING IN THE NORMAL DRIVING MODE YOU EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL SIMILAR TO A FLAT TIRE. THE 2.0L ENGINE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION DOES NOT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,300 |
| Jul 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | THE REAR SAFETY CAMERA DOES NOT WORK GET WAVY LINES SIMILAR TO A BAD TV PICTURE.PROBLEM IS BY SOME REPORTS DUE TO HOT WEATHER (+ 70 FARENHEIGHT) THIS IS BS I HAVE HAD 3 OTHER VEHICLES SAME LOCATION SAME WEATHER NO PROBLEMS. RUNING AC DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM.WENT TO DEALER TECH FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION.BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY FAILURE THAT IS NOT FIXED BY FORD.PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN MOVED TO REVERSE FROM PARK .HASOCCURED EVERY DAY SINCE DELIVERY | Crash: No Fire: No | 20 |
| Jul 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),VISIBILITY/WIPER | WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK' ON A FLAT SURFACE, THE E-BRAKE TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY, BUT WHEN I PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN I GOT HOME, I WENT THROUGH SOME OF THE SCREENS AND IT TOLD ME THAT THE AUTO START/STOP WAS DISABLED DUE TO BEING ON A SLOPE (BUT I WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE). ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IS NOT COMING OUT OF THE LINES, BUT THE PUMP IS WORKING BECAUSE I CAN HEAR IT, POSSIBLE CLOGGED LINES. LASTLY, INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CONSISTENTLY WITH APPLE CARPLAY ' SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, USUALLY RANDOM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Jul 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | BACK-UP CAMERA ERRATIC, BLIND-SPOT INDICATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR ERRATIC, LIFT-GATE OPENS SOMETIMES JUST BY WALKING BEHIND VEHICLE OR WILL COME DOWN ON ITS OWN WHEN OPEN. ONCE, THE SYNC 3 SCREEN WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND THE CONTROLS WERE FROZEN. THIS HAPPENED AFTER START-UP AND THE SCREEN TOOK A LONG TIME TO BOOT UP. OUR LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS (AND ACTUALLY SAW THE BACK-UP CAMERA GO SPASTIC). APPARENTLY, FORD IS AWARE OF THE CAMERA PROBLEM, BUT THE REPLACEMENT CAMERAS GIVE THE SAME PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 500 |
| Jul 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE ELECTRICAL IN THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 2000 MILES ON IT AND I'VE HAD IT ABOUT A MONTH AND I'VE HAD 4 ISSUES WITH IT. THE FIRST ISSUES THE CRUISE CONTROL EPULD NOT WORK. I BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY FIXED IT. MY BOTTOM CUP HOLDER BROKE TWICE NOW AND IT'S LIKE THE BOTTOM OF IT FELL OUT. TODAY I GET IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND THE SPEAKERS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR ARE NOT WORKING. IS THIS TYPICAL OF THIS KIND OF CAR OR IS IT JUST MY LUCK? I'VE HAD MORE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR THAN I HAVE EVER HAD WITH ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE BOUGHT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,885 |