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

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the RPM increased, and the check engine and power train warning lights illuminated. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11656561

The contact’s daughter owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed abnormal sounds coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it a diagnosed that the turbo was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the check engine warning light illuminated approximately 10 days later. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but a week later, the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,181.

NHTSA ODI 11655879

Got the car with many problems . Last recent problems purge cvavle, leak in emission, air make loud sounds . Now it’s my door was making popping noises when closing or opening, now the door doesn’t shut at all. No incident happen, just happen by itself

NHTSA ODI 11655947

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact waited for a while to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to O'Reilly's to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with an undisclosed emission code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11646376

My car wasn’t producing heat it was only blowing cold air. Dealership advised of no coolant and it’s a known issue with this car.

NHTSA ODI 11645899

When riding down the road once the car heats up it jerks like it's going to cut off going down the road and you can smell has it has just recently started doing this.

NHTSA ODI 11645541

I had first took car to get first free Oil change from ABC Nissan and the service department couldn’t do it under 5000 miles and just topped of the oil. I had went back like few days later for an air filter replacement and they did not have to part and sent me over to ford right across the street. I had ford dealership run a code diagnostics on vehicle and found it needs computer updates and an expensive purge valve after having car for a couple days and hit me with a hefty price estimate I could not or NPP car warranty from ABC Nissan couldn’t cover for engine repairs since it wasn’t an engine issue but can affect the engine. I had went back into abc Nissan recently for a possible trade in and just got the run around from manager that help sold me the car and seem it was a waste of time putting almost 7500 for the car down payment plus 518 a month for car payments to be cheated when car start to have issues.

NHTSA ODI 11644449

We had the car brand new and transmission with two weeks wouldn’t go in reverse. Then the door was stuck OPEN and we shut it now we can roll the window down FORD says we’re not covered it’s a new door!

NHTSA ODI 11643839

There is a courtesy replacement on the main fuel injector. I just recently had to replace my turbo. No my car bogs down won't go and smells like eggs which is the catalytic converter. The injection brakes the converter which brakes the turbo and Ford is not interested in helping very much. How can

NHTSA ODI 11639245

with awd module. tested power ground to the module. isolated to faulty module No hill start, AWD faulty module, new purge valve

NHTSA ODI 11634371

I was driving for uber and I smelled something biting along with my passengers, we had just gone through an area with a lot of smoke, so we figured it was that. After I dropped them off I noticed smoke billowing from my engine. The next day I had noticed my car was low on coolant, so I drove to Ace Hardware to grab some. After I put the coolant in the car I went to Publix to get some groceries and when I got back I smelled the smoke again. I did some research and there was a class action lawsuit against for Ford for the Escape with 1.5L engines and the fuel injectors cracking which caused coolant intrusion damaging the engine and causing them to over heat. I had my car towed to the dealership and the ECT light came on along with a parking brake warning.. This car has been nothing but a headache, nothing but repairs since I’ve had it. There is also a CSP, Customer Satisfaction Protocol for The fuel injectors cracking and I was never told about it all the times I’ve been to the dealership. I’m thinking that’s what caused the overheating..

NHTSA ODI 11634390

This 2020 Ford Escape-with less than 67k miles on it-is mostly inoperable, as of this date. This car was financed, from a Fort Lauderdale. FL used car dealership, on or around [XXX]. The check engine light was on. I went to Autozone to see what codes this could be attributed to. I was given printouts, reflecting codes P0171 & P2BF1 [air flow ratio and/or fuel injector related issues]. Additionally, the oil life on the car was at 0%. I then checked to see if there were any open recalls. There were and on 12/3/24, 2 recall repairs were done at Grieco Ford (Oil separator Pan: 22V191; Drain Tube replacement: 22S73). The car was fine. An oil change took place on 12/14/24, where the engine coolant was topped off. There were no issues and the car was driven periodically, since its purchase, to Miami, because my Mother suffered a stroke on 10/21/24 and was in her 2nd intensive rehab. As her only child, I am her POA and advocate. However, on [XXX] serious overheating occurred, when I drove less than 1.5 miles away from home, and no engine coolant was in the reservoir. The car was sputtering and losing power. I had to pull over several times just to make it back home. Additionally, a seemingly oily/milky substance was around the radiator. As of [XXX], the motor mounts are worn causing the engine to violently shake and the original radiator is warped due to potential oil/coolant leaks the vehicle could have experienced, well before these recall repairs were executed. Also, there is another recall on this vehicle regarding fuel injector leaks. Ford has failed at any meaningful strides in fixing the litany of engine malfunctions; electrical system failures; and this car's computers disconnect in diagnosing issues adequately. I found out all of these AFTER financing this car due to limited options had due to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I already paid $270 for January's-full coverage-insurance payment & have to pay a $410 CAR PAYMENT ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11633559

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clanking noise coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust cap and catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the gasoline odor was still present. Additionally, the contact stated that the AWD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the AWD system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11629209

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact pulled into a parking lot and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission fluid was black, and the transmission was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after shifting to reverse the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter valves were rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627548

1st: water reservoir tank was empty and didn't notice it until heat was cold...inspected and filled reservoir back to max had it tested and couldn't find reason for coolant to be low...Ford tech told me to drive it because they were unable to explain.2nd issue when vehicle sets overnight when backing out of carport back brake system sounds like a scrubbing sound then after drive awhile it may or may not do it when I put it in reverse. just curious. Haven't had said vehicle but one year.

NHTSA ODI 11626217

just got off car lot in july 2024 been having trouble with transmission slipping from day one. only i was told the car drives hard anyways but dealership refused to look at it once its off lot. lights are reading hillside drivers assistant and other readings no one can get off

NHTSA ODI 11626025

A 2020 Ford Escape that was purchased in new condition in September of 2020. The vehicle has had numerous issues with transmission failure as well as the failure of other engine/transmission components causing drivability and safety issues such as hard shifting, not shifting, and not accelerating properly. I was not informed of Ford's buyback program until August 28, 2024, when a friend who had previously experienced similar issues with a Ford vehicle alerted me to its existence. She assisted me in contacting Ford Consumer Affairs and initiating a buyback request (case #[XXX]). On October 20, 2024 we called Ford Motor Corp Consumer Affairs to follow up on the case and they advised the application for buyback was denied since it had not been submitted within the 30 month period as outlined in Texas Lemon Law. We were advised that the only way I could seek remedy was via BBB complaint. I need assistance to advocate for my consumer rights related to Lemon Law and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. It is my belief that Ford Motor Corp has repeatedly failed to perform their due diligence with regard to the transmission, engine, and other components installed in my vehicle. June 3, 2022 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department. Diagnosed transmission failure and the transmission was replaced at 14,158 miles. I received the vehicle back on July 2, 2022. August 2, 2022 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department for shifting/drivability issues and failed communications of OBD system. Vehicle had 14,557 miles and I received it back on August 29, 2022. April 21, 2023 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department for check engine light at 18,554 miles. I received the vehicle back on May 22, 2023. August 6, 2024 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department for hard shifting and drivability issues at 20,281 miles and as of November 4, 2024 the vehicle is still in the service department. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11623457

The engine failed and the symptoms were all the coolant was gone, hot indicator, large amounts amounts of smoke coming out of exhaust and a burning smell. Once coolant added, ck engine light came on with codes P300 and P301 (I think). The vehicle was under warranty and has been fixed with a new engine by dealer. The warranty company did inspect car before being fixed. Initially the only problem that was noticed was hesitation when increasing speed. Once on the highway the overheating light came on and was able to exit off highway before it stalled out. Was able to restart car and drive to gas station where I added 2 gal of coolant and slowly drove a short way to home. The dealership would not tell me the exact problem but just said all the fluids went into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. Other mechanic friends said it was a cracked head gasket.

NHTSA ODI 11622667

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact was informed by a Ford mechanic that the front driver’s side window could possibly shatter while rolled down. The contact was informed that the door needed to be replaced; however, the replacement door remained on backorder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the engine valve was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11613975

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon visual inspection of the engine compartment, he observed that the coolant reservoir was abnormally low, though it had recently been serviced. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose a failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11611132

Casting of the turbocharger failed, leaking coolant into the wastegate and exhaust. the turbo coolant passages cracked. I thought I blew a head gasket at first. Pulled plugs and changed oil, all looked good. Cooling system held pressure. No warnings except a small coolant leak over months and months. not even on the ground. Large white smoke clouds coming out of the exhaust.

NHTSA ODI 11610733

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, there was excessive smoke coming from the exhaust, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who observed a hole in the cylinder #1 piston, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11600915

Premature failure of valve cover gasket and transmission. Valve cover gasket allowing oil to seep in to spark plug “tubes” causing misfires. Transmission showing excessive wear for only 72000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11593748

The car was bought at matt blatt kia in July 2023 certified pre-owned with 164 safety inspection check. 2 weeks ago the check engine light came on and it was code p0420. Kia told me to call ford and they told me I have to pay for the diagnostics and the repair. The car was smoking under the hood and didn't drive safely. It's at a shop and was told the catalytic converter needs to be replaced and it's 2300. He said ford's responsible for it because there's issues and I just found out there's an active recall from BEFORE I bought the car that was never fixed which caused the issue now. Ford refuses to fix the car and I've had to pay for a car rental the past w weeks and my car payment. The cars sitting at the mechanic. Soon as the engine light came on, I tried to take it where I bought it they said I had to pay for it and ford said it's not covered and neither dealer had loaner cars for me

NHTSA ODI 11590881

The camshaft leaks and has been recalled, but Ford is refusing to fix it….

NHTSA ODI 11588983