Home · 2020 Ford Escape Gas · Complaints

What 1,479 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Escape Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,479)Crash / fire / injury (36)Body & structure (603)Transmission & drivetrain (226)Fuel system (182)Electrical system (149)Engine (107)Driver assistance (60)Visibility & wipers (59)Latches & locks (39)Brakes (37)Backup camera & sensors (26)

603 of 1,479 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters · page 2 of 25

Nov 23, 2025Body & structure

My front driver door started making a loud noise. And every time I would open and close the door I would get resistance. Until it really didn’t want to open or close anymore. It even started to affect my window. It wouldn’t roll down anymore.

NHTSA ODI 11701058

Oct 21, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of Customer Satisfaction Program number: 23B56. However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the driver’s side door made an abnormal sound while opening or closing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the door was removed and inspected. The contact was informed that the welds had failed, and the door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The door was ordered. The contact stated that since the removal of the door, the window failed to roll down as needed; however, the sound persisted. The door failed to open all the way. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11694745

Oct 7, 2025Body & structureVisibility & wipers

In my Ford 2020 Escape Hybrid Titanium AWD car, Sunroof shade got misaligned and not closing anymore, resulting in more heat flowing into the car creating impacts inside. Also, as per others comments and online forums, there is a chance that this shade would fall on the passengers during the drive if not taken care quickly, resulting in injuries in adults and deaths in infants. Reached to a Ford dealership to fix this issue and its costing me close to $3000. As its a design flaw from Ford, I request Ford to do a fix for free of charge or recall and fix it for their customers and address their safety concerns immediately. Appreciate your looking into this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11691796

Oct 2, 2025Body & structure

In August 2025, the plastic cover in between the two pieces of glass on the panoramic sunroof unknowingly fell off when the shade liner was closed due to ineffective glue/sticky tabs that failed to keep the plastic cover on safely. When I went to open the liner, the plastic cover got trapped in the shade/roller housing, broke, and then the shade got completely sucked up into the housing where I can’t get it back out. Quotes to fix this range in the thousands of dollars due to the intensive labor replacing the shade requires. I have seen this happen to multiple owners, especially on the 2020 model. There is a video on YouTube describing this issue with over 6,000 views. Many in the comments also describe having their shade roller being completely damaged and spending thousands of dollars to fix it. There was no warning that the plastic cover was failing to hold up and no alert once it has fallen off. There was no safety mechanism in place to prevent the shade from being rolled.

NHTSA ODI 11691094

Sep 24, 2025Body & structure

I’m hearing a popping or snapping noise when I open and close my drivers side door. I also noticed a leak on the right upper side of the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11689307

Sep 19, 2025Body & structure

The driver's side door started making loud cracking noises when opening and closing

NHTSA ODI 11688297

Sep 8, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after long-distance driving, there was water dripping from the bottom of the steering wheel onto the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that due to the failure, the foot on the accelerator pedal would slip off while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was purchased and an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,089

NHTSA ODI 11685723

Aug 29, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the driver's side door, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the door. The contact became aware that the top spot weld had fractured, and the middle and lower spot welds were loose. The contact stated that the driver’s door window was only able to roll down 1/3 of the way. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the driver’s side door hinges needed to be replaced. The passenger’s side door was also inspected, and it was determined that the hinges had started to loosen and needed to be reinforced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 11683899

Aug 17, 2025Body & structure

Rear left window unable to go up or down. Ended up taking inside of door apart, putting it back on track and continue to go off track

NHTSA ODI 11681199

Aug 7, 2025Body & structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver’s side front door made a popping sound whenever the door was left in certain positions while open. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed a possible issue with the welding. The vehicle was taken to a body shop, which inspected the door and diagnosed that the spot welds had fractured on the door check hinge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11679026

Aug 4, 2025Body & structureVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and opening the sunroof, the interior sunshade was opened, but the sunshade failed to close as intended and remained stuck open. The vehicle was diagnosed by a Ford mechanic, who informed the contact that the sunshade sealant had deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678177

Jul 21, 2025Body & structure

The trim piece located between the sunroof and moonroof is secured only with double-sided tape, which is inadequate. As a result, the trim becomes detached and falls onto the sunroof shade. This causes the shade to come off its track, leading to sagging or complete detachment. When this occurs, the shade obstructs the driver’s rear visibility, presenting a potential safety hazard

NHTSA ODI 11674976

Jul 21, 2025Body & structureFuel system

I am the owner of a 2020 Ford Escape experiencing two serious issues: 1.My vehicle is exhibiting the exact symptoms outlined in Ford CSP 23B56—specifically, the failure of the driver-side door check-arm welds. The door produces loud popping noises, feels unstable when opening/closing, and has visible signs of structural stress. Despite this, my VIN has been deemed ineligible for the program. Given that the issue matches the failure described in CSP 23B56, I am requesting a re-evaluation of my VIN’s coverage and a formal inspection under this program. 2.My vehicle is also subject to NHTSA Recall 25V467 / Ford Recall 25S76, concerning the potential for a cracked fuel injector leading to fuel accumulation on top of the engine—a serious fire hazard. According to NHTSA, there is currently no remedy available. This adds another layer of safety concern, particularly considering the compounding risks and Ford’s delay in delivering a fix. Between the structural door failure and a pending recall involving potential engine fires, I am deeply concerned about the safety and reliability of my vehicle. I am asking that my concerns be formally investigated and that Ford take appropriate responsibility for repairs, reimbursement (if applicable), or an expanded VIN inclusion under the CSP.

NHTSA ODI 11675144

Jul 19, 2025Body & structure

Front passenger side door is making a popping noise upon opening and closing. The door is difficult to close. This problem occurred suddenly. I am taking the car to the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11674763

Jul 17, 2025Body & structure

The headliner has come loose and is drooping. So when I open it my back window is covered completely and I can’t see behind me in my windshield mirror. I think this is a big safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11674170

Jul 6, 2025Body & structure

My door start making a crunching noise i looked it up on YouTube and learned its called the door check bracket it looks like the dealership i bought it off put rivets in to band aid it up the window won't go down either very upset about this situation as it is my first purchase from a dealership

NHTSA ODI 11671401

Jun 29, 2025Body & structure

Door Hing has a bad weld and causes a loud noise and resistance when closing the Driver's door.

NHTSA ODI 11670122

Jun 26, 2025Body & structureVisibility & wipers

Inner shade visor for sun roof has become detached from rail mechanism, causing material to sag and bunch up and get stuck when retracting sunroof. Visibility issues caused could cause safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11669553

Jun 22, 2025Body & structure

Driver door popping and not closing. Brought car in and check is broken inside of door.

NHTSA ODI 11668454

Jun 16, 2025Body & structure

Dislodged Door Check NHTSA Action #PE23013 All 6 rivets broke off when the wind caught the door. The door was uncontrolled by opening it and would fly open and stress the hinges. The door check fell into the door therefore I couldn't open my window. I had a body shop repair the problem for $1476.12. I was unaware of the service bulletin. There was no recall. It was not inspected by authorities. No warning lamps were available for this problem. I did have my Ford dealership inspect it after the repair on May 21, 2025

NHTSA ODI 11667188

May 30, 2025Body & structure

Driver door issue. Loud popping when opening and closing door.

NHTSA ODI 11663881

May 27, 2025Body & structure

Inside driver door rivets broke preventing door closing and latch is flopping inside door

NHTSA ODI 11663068

May 18, 2025Transmission & drivetrainBody & structure

Two issues. 1: transmission shakes, shudders, and loses power intermittently at shift points. 2: check arm spot welds broke loose at the door. Safety issue. Ford has a service bulletin for this SM 51553 And SM 50150

NHTSA ODI 11661671

May 18, 2025Body & structure

Door check Bracket Getting Stuck and Don't Close

NHTSA ODI 11661676

May 14, 2025Body & structure

Sunroof/Sunshade - Plastic trim piece approximately 28"x5" in between the Sunroof and Shade across the middle is held in by double face tape. Tape weakens and piece falls down potentially striking a rear passenger. In addition it can get caught in the shade fabric dislodging it and falling potentially obstructing the drivers rear view. Mine has been repaired once by Ford already but has failed again. Estimated cost is approximately $2000 plus labor. This is a known defect by the Ford Motor Company and they claim it out of warranty. Basic internet search revealed it is a common problem for more that one years models.

NHTSA ODI 11660945

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Working with the data? Download all 1,479 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Ford Escape Gas verdict →