Model year
2020 Ford Escape
NHTSA lists 23 recalls and 1,612 complaints for the 2020 Ford Escape (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 290 complaints under ESCAPE HYBRID and ESCAPE PHEV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE:BODY (493), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (308), POWER TRAIN (231). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–41 mpg combined and 33 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,650–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 996 complaints
- 2002 1,027 complaints
- 2003 558 complaints
- 2004 499 complaints
- 2005 1,394 complaints
- 2006 464 complaints
- 2007 254 complaints
- 2008 1,974 complaints
- 2009 1,693 complaints
- 2010 2,070 complaints
- 2011 1,318 complaints
- 2012 604 complaints
- 2013 2,753 complaints
- 2014 2,089 complaints
- 2015 1,130 complaints
- 2016 1,166 complaints
- 2017 2,701 complaints
- 2018 1,821 complaints
- 2019 596 complaints
- 2020 1,612 complaints
- 2021 350 complaints
- 2022 236 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 26 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
26V123000 · Mar 3, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As…
26V117000 · Mar 3, 2026
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
25V829000 · Dec 1, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
25V693000 · Oct 10, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles. The rear brake pads may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can reduce brake function in the event of a brake booster malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a…
25V467000 · Jul 11, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
25V442000 · Jun 27, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit,…
25V345000 · May 23, 2025
ENGINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be…
25V165000 · Mar 14, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
24V954000 · Dec 20, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
13 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.
Complaints
1,612 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 20, fire flag on 4, injury field 28, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ESCAPE HYBRID | 1 | 289 |
| ESCAPE PHEV | 1 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ21002 | Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | Aug 3, 2021 | No close date in the file |
| PE23013 | Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | Jul 7, 2023 | Jan 24, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEV SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| HEV SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
| PHEV SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD · 1.5L · Automatic 8-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 33 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Escape FWD HEV · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 44 | 37 | 41 | — | — | $1,650 |
| Escape AWD · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Escape AWD · 1.5L · Automatic 8-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 31 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Escape AWD HEV · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 43 | 37 | 40 | — | — | $1,700 |
| Escape FWD PHEV · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 43 | 38 | 41 | 33.0 | 530 | $1,650 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2020 Ford Escape at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.