A troubled first year of the new Escape
The 2020 Escape has the highest complaint rate of any Escape: doors that will not stay open from broken check arm welds, transmission shudder, and a large number of recalls. A 2022 or later is a much better buy.
Updated November 2026 · based on 1,841 owner complaints and 24 recalls
1,031 1.9x the Escape average
24 free to fix at a dealer
Every Escape year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2020 Escape
Top problems and what they cost
Door check arms breaking loose
Spot welds holding the door check arm fail, so doors swing freely or will not stay open.
Fix: Body repair $300 to $700 per door if not covered.
Body
Transmission shudder and slipping
Shuddering, slipping and hesitation from the 8-speed automatic. Recall 20V550 covers part of it.
Fix: Recall free; otherwise $2,000 to $4,000.
Transmission
Panoramic roof sunshade falling
The sunshade comes off its track and droops, blocking the rear view.
Fix: Sunshade repair $300 to $800.
Body
Recalls
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 ...
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 r...
Low tire pressure may lead to poor vehicle handling and a possible loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Show all 24 recalls
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 ...
A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2020 Ford Escape
- Confirm every recall shows as repaired at nhtsa.gov/recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2020 Escape has 24 recalls on record, listed below.
- Open each door to its stops and check it holds.This checks the shifter and parking lock. On some models a faulty switch shows "Shift to Park" or the car can roll if Park does not fully engage.273 of the 1,841 owner complaints about the 2020 Escape involve the shifter and transmission (15%).
- Feel for shudder when accelerating gently from 15 to 40 mph.A shudder feels like driving over rumble strips. It usually points to a worn torque converter or transmission, which can be expensive to fix.Owners filed 28 complaints about transmission slipping and rough shifting on the 2020 Escape.
- Open and close the panoramic sunshade.Large glass roofs can shatter on their own, and drain tubes can clog and leak water inside. A small chip at the edge can grow into a full shatter.711 of the 1,841 owner complaints about the 2020 Escape involve the glass and visibility (39%).
Questions
Is the 2020 Ford Escape reliable?
A troubled first year of the new Escape. The 2020 Escape has the highest complaint rate of any Escape: doors that will not stay open from broken check arm welds, transmission shudder, and a large number of recalls. A 2022 or later is a much better buy.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Escape have?
24 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2020 Ford Escape problems?
Door check arms breaking loose; Transmission shudder and slipping; Panoramic roof sunshade falling.
Crash rating shown for the 2020 Ford Escape SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.