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2020 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 67 of 288 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Structure complaints

105 reports
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25,000 miles · May 17, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's door failed to open all the way, and the contact observed a popping sound coming from the door hinges. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's side window failed to roll down more than an inch. The vehicle was taken…

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's door failed to open all the way, and the contact observed a popping sound coming from the door hinges. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's side window failed to roll down more than an inch. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11589282

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2024
Structure

A popping noise has been happening on opening the front doors. Yesterday the passenger door became difficult to close.

NHTSA ODI #11588470

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2024
Structure

Front driver door spot welds failed. Ability to open drivers door and window affected. Took to repair shop that told me the welds opening and closing the door all failed. No message or warning, or symptoms prior to failure.

NHTSA ODI #11586272

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2024
Structure

Driver side door has loud popping noise and am unable to close door. Door popped open when driving

NHTSA ODI #11585131

35,000 miles · Apr 19, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening and closing the front driver’s side door, there was a popping and cracking sound coming from the door panel. Additionally, sometimes the front driver's side door was difficult to open and close. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufac…

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening and closing the front driver’s side door, there was a popping and cracking sound coming from the door panel. Additionally, sometimes the front driver's side door was difficult to open and close. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11584074

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2024
Structure

Door started making horrible sound and not opening/closing very good out of no where.

NHTSA ODI #11583155

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2024
Structure

This safety incident occurred with both the driver and passenger front doors. There are two hinges matching the body paint, which are fine. A third black hinge spot welded to the door that holds the door open in partial-open positions had the issue. The spot welding has completely come undone on the driver door and is showing s…

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This safety incident occurred with both the driver and passenger front doors. There are two hinges matching the body paint, which are fine. A third black hinge spot welded to the door that holds the door open in partial-open positions had the issue. The spot welding has completely come undone on the driver door and is showing stress on the passenger door. A loud, cracking noise and difficulty opening the door indicated this issue. I had to disconnect this item from the body and shove it into the driver door in order to open and shut the door. While this prevents further damage, it severely hampers opening and shutting the door safely. Without the stop action in place, we have a risk of the door flying open and damaging the body of the car or anything else in the door's path.

NHTSA ODI #11579891

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2024
Structure

Spot weld on driver side door failed, Hinge is now broken.

NHTSA ODI #11578427

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2024
Structure

My 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE driver's side door has failed (ripped) spot welds at the door's arm. I simply opened my car door one day, and heard a loud pop. Ever since I simply opened my car door, my door now has constant cracking/popping sounds when I open or close my driver's side door. Due to issues with my door, my driver's…

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My 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE driver's side door has failed (ripped) spot welds at the door's arm. I simply opened my car door one day, and heard a loud pop. Ever since I simply opened my car door, my door now has constant cracking/popping sounds when I open or close my driver's side door. Due to issues with my door, my driver's side window now does not move up or down. This issue did not have any warning or symptoms prior to the ripped weld spots, it was a random instance which now permanently has affected my car. I have done some investigating on my own regarding this matter with other Ford Escape owners, and this is a very common issue with this make and model. Some owners that had similar issues with their vehicle stated that their driver's side door flew off when traveling at highway speeds. Due to the previously stated sentence, this is a huge safety concern as a door flying off my vehicle could affect other drivers and put them at risk of injury. I took my vehicle into an auto shop to be diagnosed, who recommended that I take my vehicle into a Ford dealership to deal with this problem directly. The Ford dealership had me call Ford's Customer Service line to discuss my options. Ford's customer service informed me that their is nothing that FMC can do to assist with this matter and that I do not qualify for any financial assistance to cover the cost of this repair. I have been in contact with my Ford dealership who told me that the whole door will need to be replaced, and that this repair will cost a minimum of $3,000. Due to not having any other way of getting to and from work, I have to drive my unsafe vehicle for transportation. There is currently a TSB on this specific issue, but Ford is refusing to consider this matter a "recall".

NHTSA ODI #11577715

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2024
Structure

Door would not properly close window would not roll down. On investigation weld's on door hinge were broken

NHTSA ODI #11576394

Official recalls

1

25V881000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Dec 18, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid and 2020 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 15, 2026. This is an expansion of Recalls 24V330 (24S33) and 25V133 (25S16).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE23013 · Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point

Opened Jul 7, 2023 · Closed Jan 24, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door ; Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present.  Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:body:door

On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present.  Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present.  Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.