2020 Ford Escape

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2025· 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

• 12/31/2023· STRUCTURE

  The door limiter has come lose and the spot welds are damaged.

• 12/31/2023· STRUCTURE

  Door check bracket. Door randomly started making clunking noises, and middle hinge seems wobbly and unstable.

• 12/30/2025· 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.

• 12/30/2025· 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.

• 12/30/2025· 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.

• 12/30/2024· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the ABS and Traction Control warning messages had been displayed and the power steering had failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in each direction. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 16,900.

• 12/30/2023· STRUCTURE

  My drivers door will only open about 6 inches. I have to crawl across the console to drive. I took it to ford dealer who said it was a ford issue but I was a few months beyond my 36 month warrenty so it wasn't covered. He also said not to roll down the window or it might shatter.

• 12/30/2022· STRUCTURE

  Front passenger door began making loud snapping noise when closing or opening. Window was affected, would only go down halfway and required manual assist to close. Took to dealer, repair not covered by warranty. Told spotwelds at door check were busted. I had the spotwelds replaced on 12-29-22. It was quite expensive and didn't seem this should happen in a car only 2 years old..

• 12/29/2025· 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.

• 12/29/2023· STRUCTURE

  Drivers door making a popping noise when opening and closing.

• 12/29/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Driver's side front door: hinges are not working properly. Initially, the door made three cracking noises when I opened the door on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. I called my Ford dealer (AutonationFord, Scottsdale, AZ) on Wednesday to speak to my Ford Service Advisor Kevin Morgan. He was not at work Wednesday or Thursday but I obtained an appointment for Monday, 12/18/23 at 9:30 AM. On Saturday, 12/16, I rolled the driver's side window down, it took me 5 minutes to get it back up. Of course I had to leave my car on Monday. But my Ford dealer does not offer "loaners" or offer to pay for a rental car. So I borrowed a car from a friend. On Tuesday 12/19, I received a call from Kevin that they could not fix the hinge(s) because they were improperly welded at the factory. Furthermore, they returned my car to my home with instructions to take it to Bell Ford (Phoenix) Body Shop. On Wednesday 12/20, I drove my car to Bell Ford, and they made an appointment for me to drop it off on Wednesday 12/27. They provided me with a loaner car. I thought I would be picking my car up Friday 12/29. I received a call from Will Jones, Mgr. of the Body Shop on Thursday 12/27 that window regulators had been discontinued by Ford but they had found another one and would get it Wednesday, 1/03. So I should get my Ford Escape back on Thursday 1/04, I hope. Now the problem is Ford has not recalled this problem and it's not just my car but other 2020 and 2021 Escapes have the same problem with the driver's side door. I don't know about the window but obviously it "broke" because of the broken hinges. Help! Please get Ford to recall cars with door problems. I should not have to pay for this repair. Thank you for your help!!!! [XXX] (mileage 35,750 but 3 years was up August 2023. To me, this is not a warranty issue.) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/29/2020· ENGINE

  THE CAR JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS.

• 12/28/2023· STRUCTURE

  On 12/6/23, hinge on driver's side door broke. Piece is lodged in the door and window cannot go down. On 12/13/23, car was inspected at Ford dealership. Service Department confirmed hinge broke. According to Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) - SSM 50150, "certain 2020-2021 Escape vehicles may exhibit cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly." According to NHTSA site, "appropriate repair for this condition is the replacement of the door assembly and door check arm." Dealership quoted repair cost at $2,427.75. If car was under warrant the expense would be covered. Due to the car having 39,000 and the warrant expiring at 36,000, Ford is only willing to cover $1,000. I will need to pay $1,427.75 out of pocket.

• 12/28/2023· STRUCTURE

  The welds have pulled out of my left drivers door check arm. My car has just 45,000 miles, just purchased 60 days ago. Now they want $2600+ to repair. I see many many many complaints about this issue. Add me to the list. This is ridiculous! It’s not like I had anything to do with the welds not holding!

• 12/28/2023· STRUCTURE

  The driver side door is getting a "popping" and "grinding" sound everytime the door is opened or closed. Upon investigation, the metal lever has become unwelded to the door. All 3 weld spaces are detached from the door. In addition, the window on the driver side is not air tight and is intermittently stopped working. I am very concerned that because of the unwelded parts may cause the door to weaken and possibly fall off my vehicle while driving which could cause a serious accident or even death if driving on a highway.

• 12/27/2023· STRUCTURE

  Driver door hinge welds broke and the door pops and creaks. The broken hinge rubbed on the window wiring harness and now the window won’t open. This has happened to hundreds of 2020 & 2021 ford escapes and my extended warranty won’t cover it because it’s coded as a “trim” piece, which is infuriating as it’s WELDED INSIDE of the door.

• 12/26/2024· POWER TRAIN,BACK OVER PREVENTION

  While driving on the highway, the engine started to sputter when gas pedal was depressed, turned around and drove it straight to a mechanic. At the mechanic, they were unable to shift the car out of park, and noted the transmission had "catastrophic failure, irrepairable" We called Ford, and they said while there is a recall for 2020 Ford Escapes, this one was built in a different factor and was not covered.

• 12/26/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Cracked broken well spots on front left door (driver door) at the check arm attach attachment points in door assembly. Prevent driver window from opening or closing.

• 12/26/2021· 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

• 12/25/2022· STRUCTURE

  The spot welds have broken on both front doors at the check arm attachment points in the door assembly. See 10201603NHSTA safety issue.

• 12/24/2023· STRUCTURE

  Drivers door began to make clicking banging sounds while opening and closing. It now is almost impossible to close and I has a lot of outward pressure once secured. I am scared the door will fly open while driving. This appears to be an ongoing issue with these models with a faulty spot weld but no recall as of yet.

• 12/23/2025· 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.

• 12/23/2025· 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.

• 12/22/2023· STRUCTURE

  The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening the front driver's side door, the door made an abnormal popping sound. Additionally, the front driver's side window failed to roll down as designed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure, and that the front driver's side door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,100.

• 12/22/2023· STRUCTURE

  DRIVER'S DOOR CHECK SPOT WELDS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVERS WINDOW TO BECOME INOPERATIVE

• 12/22/2023· STRUCTURE

  The hinge for the passenger door that holds the door from opening widely broke. This is preventing for the door to close properly and I’m unable to lower the window.

• 12/21/2025· 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.

• 12/21/2023· STRUCTURE

  The contact's boyfriend owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's side door made an abnormal popping sound while opening. Additionally, the door failed to close properly. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

• 12/21/2022· STRUCTURE,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side front door failed to close. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal odor detected while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,416.

• 12/20/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The dashboard and main touch screen would not light up in the middle of driving - this would occur every 5 minutes. "System off to save battery please turn ignition off or start engine" pop up would come on main screen while the entire system was done. Another pop up "auto hold system fault" warning would come up as well. Vehicle has been inspected twice by a ford service center and unable to identify the issue. This issue puts the driver at risk for accidents by not knowing the speed at which he/she is driving, fuel capacity, other information that is available on the dashboard if there are issues when it is completely off.

• 12/20/2023· STRUCTURE

  There is a spot weld failure inside my driver side door resulting in the doors hinge being broken inside the door. The door does not open all the way and it makes loud cracking noises. Also, the door will not always latch close properly and can open suddenly without touching it. I cannot roll down my window all the way. I need to crawl through the passenger side door and up over the console to get in my vehicle each time I use it. I am concerned for myself and my family that if heaven fobid we were in a car crash, that this unhinged door would not provide us with the means to keep us safe. The car is unsafe and unusable as the door could fly open at any time. The only fix that I have been offered from Ford Motor Company is to replace the entire door, since the broken hinge is inside the door and cannot be fixed. This will cost my famiy roughly $4000. Paying for a problem that Ford is very aware of, and that was by no means a fault of our daily usage or accident of any sort is infuriatling!

• 12/20/2023· STRUCTURE

  Broken spot welds in the front doors at the check arm attachment point. Have already replaced both door on a 2020 escape and now needing to replace the driver door for a second time. Very poor quality by FORD.

• 12/20/2022· ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The emissions failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

• 12/20/2020· FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  MY ESCAPE CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM ONLY WORKS HALF THE TIME AND YESTERDAY IT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. IT'S BEEN AT NORTHGATE FORD SO MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT'S STILL NOT FIXED.

• 12/19/2025· 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)

• 12/19/2023· STRUCTURE

  Driver side door quit working, the awelding on the arm is bad. Effects door opening and shutting and window going down.

• 12/19/2023· AIR BAGSCrash

  My entire passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger present in car. The car has a sensor stating when someone is not there they should be off.

• 12/19/2023· FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  Forward-looking camera image processing moduel A malfunction

• 12/19/2022· STRUCTURE

  The driver door was stuck open. Upon closing, the door limiter broke off and pushed against the window track making it impossible to roll the window down. I have contacted Ford twice about this, with no resolution yet. The Ford body shop says that the only "fix" is replacing the entire door for a price tag of nearly $2K. They have not acknowledged a manufacturers error or defect to correct this problem. My dealer is aware of other similar occurrences to 2020 Ford Escapes

• 12/18/2023· STRUCTURE

  3 weld spots failed on driver door arm latch

• 12/18/2023· STRUCTURE

  The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door was making an abnormal clicking sound while being opened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the door check strap on the weld had separated. The mechanic informed the contact that the door could drop and not close properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case but declined any further assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 20,740.

• 12/18/2023· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Driver side door suddenly began making loud creaking and popping noise when opening and closing. The driver side window also will not let all the way down since the noises started. Took it to the Ford dealership advised it was the door check assembly that was broke and they order the part. Took it to a 3rd party to have it put on and they advised that there was a failure with the spot welds in the check arm bracket on the the front door. Bracket has pulled out of the front driver's side door. Also advised this is why the window will only let down a little bit. Call the dealership and they advised that the door panel was not taken off so they would of not been able to see the spot welds provided Ford Company# called and stated that they was not a warranty on the vehicle and that there was nothing they could do at this time and provided case# CXH01214372. The cheapest estimate I have received so far to fix this issue is approximately 2,200.00 which I do not have please issue a recall on this issue

• 12/18/2023· STRUCTURE

  The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's side door was making an abnormal popping sound while opening and the door was misaligned. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's side window failed to roll down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the spot welds in the driver's side door check arm brackets were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

• 12/18/2023· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Bought my daughter a 2020 Ford Escape. Last week, while at college, she called to say her door was making loud sounds when opening and shutting it and her window wouldn't roll down. Concerned that the door wouldn't stay shut I had her go to the Ford dealership in her college town. They told her they have seen two other Ford Escapes this week with the same issue and that she would probably need a new door. I called my local dealership and was basically told the same thing. They knew exactly what I was talking about before I started in 4-5 sentences. When she got home I went to look at the door. It swings open with no resistance and the window doesn't roll down. Upon further investigating from my local repair shop he helped me look up the problem. It is SSM 50150 -Cracked or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. I have a major concern with safety on this issue. How do I get Ford to correct this issue?

• 12/18/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY PRE-COLLISION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON RANDOMLY. MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AND CHIMES FOR NO REASON. NORTHGATE FORD SAID MY ESCAPE IS WORKING FINE.

• 12/17/2025· 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.

• 12/17/2024· STEERING,WHEELS

  ALL WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING IN ICY/SNOWY CONDITION. CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WARNING MESSAGE: Driver display indicates, "ALL wheel drive module faulty, driver assist not available. Service required!" and an orange wrench displayed >>There is already a bulletin on this issue for 2020 Ford Escapes CSB21B19, April 2021, however our VIN was not included in bulletin. >> We took the car back to the dealership for repairs and they said they are having MANY Escapes coming in with this issue whose VINs are also not included in the original bulletin >> No pre warning. The first time we saw the warning the AWD failed on snowy road. >>We contacted FORD customer service and got the run around. FORD NEEDS TO INCREASE THE LIST OF VINS INCLUDED IN THE BULLETIN SO PEOPLE CAN GET THE MODULE REPLACED TO PREVENT THE LOSS OF AWD IN SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS.

• 12/17/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The front driver side door suddenly started making a clicking noise when opening the door. It looks like the front welds on the door arm are broke which is causing the noise. Vehicle only has 36400 miles on it.

• 12/16/2025· 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.