2020 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1907 complaints
1907
Total Complaints
41,000mi
Median Mileage
Body
Top Issue
28
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
19,751
25th Percentile
41,000
Median Mileage
65,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Body
489
Unknown Or Other
277
Power Train
189
Electrical System
138
Engine
97
Fuel System, Gasoline
91
Door
89
Fuel/Propulsion System
55
Structure
48
Warnings
36
Severity Assessment
28
Crashes
6
Fires
42
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE DRIVERS SEAT (BOTTOM CUSHION) HAS A PIECE OF METAL OR HEAVY WIRING, ABOUT 2 INCHES LONG, AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT, WHERE YOUR TAILBONE IS. THE WIRE IS EASY TO FIND (IT RUNS BACK TO FRONT) UNDER THE SEAT MATERIAL. IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN DRIVING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALER I LEASED IT..."
"SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNERSHIP, IT HAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEN APPROACHING 25MPH THEN THE VIBRATION CONTINUES ALL THE WAY TO 75MPH. ALSO AT APPROX. 25MPH AN LOW HUMMING SOUND STARTS. THE HUMMING SOUND GETS LOADER AS SPEED INCREASES ALONG WITH THE ROAD NOISE. THE HUMMING AND VIBRATION STOP AS SO..."
"SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNERSHIP, IT HAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEN APPROACHING 25MPH THEN THE VIBRATION CONTINUES ALL THE WAY TO 75MPH. ALSO AT APPROX. 25MPH AN LOW HUMMING SOUND STARTS. THE HUMMING SOUND GETS LOADER AS SPEED INCREASES ALONG WITH THE ROAD NOISE. THE HUMMING AND VIBRATION STOP AS SO..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Body
489 complaints
Median: 38,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
277 complaints
25th: 862 mi
Median: 4,000 mi
75th: 9,108 mi
Power Train
189 complaints
25th: 19,701 mi
Median: 50,000 mi
75th: 69,500 mi
Electrical System
138 complaints
25th: 1,100 mi
Median: 8,000 mi
75th: 54,000 mi
Engine
97 complaints
25th: 19,000 mi
Median: 62,000 mi
75th: 90,181 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 173
OH: 143
TX: 130
PA: 97
FL: 96
IL: 96
NY: 92
CA: 74
MO: 62
VA: 61
Who Files Complaints?
0.3%
Original Owners
99.7%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (23)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Recliner
Campaign 19V633000 | 28/08/2019
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Side/Window
Campaign 20V415000 | 17/07/2020
In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for
Body Control Module/Bcm
Campaign 20V635000 | 15/10/2020
Low tire pressure may lead to poor vehicle handling and a possible loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the BCM, free of charge. Owners are advised that two key fobs are required for the repair to be completed. The recall began December 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S59.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 20V550000 | 10/09/2020
Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.
Camera
Campaign 20V575000 | 23/09/2020
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's
Driveshaft
Campaign 21V011000 | 15/01/2021
If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. O
Oil/Lubrication
Campaign 22V191000 | 25/03/2022
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.
Traction Battery
Campaign 22V331000 | 13/05/2022
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on July 12, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number fo
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 22V484000 | 07/07/2022
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will modify the under engine shield and active grille shutter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 1
Fuel Injection System
Campaign 22V859000 | 18/11/2022
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023.
Engine
Campaign 23V380000 | 26/05/2023
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powert
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign 24V330000 | 10/05/2024
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.
Labels
Campaign 24V852000 | 08/11/2024
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm)
Campaign 24V954000 | 20/12/2024
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may conta
Fuel Injection System
Campaign 25V165000 | 14/03/2025
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.
Engine
Campaign 25V345000 | 06/06/2025
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners
Software
Campaign 25V442000 | 27/06/2025
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Fuel Injection System
Campaign 25V467000 | 11/07/2025
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the engine control software. and replace the high pressure fuel rail assembly and the fuel injector ,free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 25V685000 | 10/10/2025
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat
Pads
Campaign 25V693000 | 10/10/2025
Reduced brake function can require the driver to apply more brake pedal force, and the distance required to stop the vehicle may be extended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable o
Hinge And Attachments
Campaign 25V829000 | 01/12/2025
A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed January 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer servi
Motor
Campaign 26V117000 | 03/03/2026
Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed March 9, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in May 2026. Owners may contact Ford cu
Software
Campaign 26V123000 | 03/03/2026
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed April 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated second quarter of 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-733
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28