2020 Ford Escape: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Ford Escape: 23 recalls, 1604 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.
Recalls
23 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats, Seats Vehicle recall #19V633000 · 2019 · 639,137 vehicles
What's wrong: Also included are certain 2020 Ford explorer and Lincoln aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms May be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) numbers 202, "head restraints" and 207,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V415000 · 2020 · 68 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles May have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which May result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V550000 · 2020 · 97 vehicles
What's wrong: The start/stop accumulator endcap May have missing or loose bolts.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #20V575000 · 2020 · 620,246 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera May intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Electrical, Tires Vehicle recall #20V635000 · 2020 · 689 vehicles
What's wrong: The body control module (bcm) intermittently May not pick up the signal from the rear tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors or the remote key fob. In the event of a low tire pressure condition, the TPMS system May not provide an adequate warning.
Why it matters: Low tire pressure May lead to poor vehicle handling and a possible loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #21V011000 · 2021 · 147 vehicles
What's wrong: An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit May cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #22V191000 · 2022 · 345,451 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engines. The engine oil separator housing May crack and develop an oil leak.
Why it matters: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #22V331000 · 2022 · 27 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l hybrid powertrains. Insufficient welds inside the high voltage battery May fail, resulting in a loss of drive power.
Why it matters: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Body & structure, Body & structure Vehicle recall #22V484000 · 2022 · 100,689 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l hev or phev engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor May be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #22V859000 · 2022 · 521,746 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engines. A fuel injector May crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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 Vehicle recall #23V380000 · 2023 · 125,322 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l hev or phev engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor May be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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…
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #24V330000 · 2024 · 9,312 vehicles
What's wrong: The hybrid powertrain control module (hpcm) software May cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Why it matters: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the hpcm software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024.
Equipment Vehicle recall #24V852000 · 2024 · 27,678 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag warning label May be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #24V954000 · 2024 · 20,484 vehicles
What's wrong: A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells May result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #25V165000 · 2025 · 33,576 vehicles
What's wrong: A fuel injector May crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025.
Engine Vehicle recall #25V345000 · 2025 · 1,809 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V442000 · 2025 · 200,237 vehicles
What's wrong: A software error May cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image May remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #25V467000 · 2025 · 694,271 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l engines. A fuel injector May crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #25V693000 · 2025 · 13,451 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2025.
Equipment Vehicle recall #25V685000 · 2025 · 59,006 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine block heater May crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord.…
Body & structure Vehicle recall #25V829000 · 2025 · 108,762 vehicles
What's wrong: The liftgate hinge covers May not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #26V117000 · 2026 · 604,533 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshield wiper motor May fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Why it matters: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #26V123000 · 2026 · 889,950 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (apim) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 28 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (670): the most common themes are door / lock issues (630), noise or vibration (186).
- Other / unknown (307): the most common themes are noise or vibration (60), warning light on (22).
- Transmission & drivetrain (240): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (84), warning light on (79), noise or vibration (27).
- Electrical (158): the most common themes are door / lock issues (44), electrical failure (32), warning light on (22).
The 2020 Ford Escape has 1604 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 27 Escape model years for complaints (1.6× the average Escape year). Complaints peaked in 2023 (570 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 44,447 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (594 complaints, 3 recalls), 2021 (349 complaints, 19 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 33 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 3-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 31 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Ford Escape.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 23 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Escape problems?
Owners have filed 1604 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (670), other / unknown (307), transmission & drivetrain (240).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford Escape get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic 8-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Ford Escape repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.