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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.

About this comparison →

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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Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2023
Structure

Driver side door check broke off the door. Spot welds failed. Door is very difficult to close Ford has put out SSM50150 message but no recall has been authorized that I am aware of. Online research shows this has happened to many others who have this same model year. Most stated the entire door needs to be replaced at a cost of…

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Driver side door check broke off the door. Spot welds failed. Door is very difficult to close Ford has put out SSM50150 message but no recall has been authorized that I am aware of. Online research shows this has happened to many others who have this same model year. Most stated the entire door needs to be replaced at a cost of $2500-$2600. I heard a slight popping sound when opening this door at first and now the door check has broken away from the door. Picture of the failed spot welds attached.

NHTSA ODI #11545562

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2023
Structure

Driver's side door check bracket welds cracked and separated. Now there are abnormal, loud popping sounds every time I open or close the door. The care only has 37,000 miles on it and I am very conscientious about maintaining my vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11544801

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2023
Structure

The arm attachments have become loose as a result of broken spot welds on the driver side door. This is the subject of SSM50150.

NHTSA ODI #11543199

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2023
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. Car is unsafe to drive. Could result I in a door inadvertently opening while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11543040

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2023
Structure

Every time the driver side door opens it makes a terrible creaking noise and the window no longer fully goes down in the drivers side. Took the door panel off and its definitely a weld error

NHTSA ODI #11542297

45,000 miles · Aug 25, 2023
Structure

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening the front driver's side door, the door weld fractured. The contact stated that she closed the door with force to keep it closed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the warranty had expired. Additionally, the contact state…

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening the front driver's side door, the door weld fractured. The contact stated that she closed the door with force to keep it closed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the warranty had expired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the warning light indicating that the passenger's side door was opened, illuminated and she noticed that the door was not closed securely. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #11540789

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2023
Structure

4 months after my manufactures warranty ran out, I heard a loud popping sound as I opened and then closed my driver’s door. I looked online and found that this particular model and year are known to have the door check weld break away from the door panel. This can cause the drivers door to swing open without any resistance and i…

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4 months after my manufactures warranty ran out, I heard a loud popping sound as I opened and then closed my driver’s door. I looked online and found that this particular model and year are known to have the door check weld break away from the door panel. This can cause the drivers door to swing open without any resistance and is dangerous when parking on an incline or if the door isn’t secured properly while driving. I took the car to the dealership where they informed me that this is a known problem because it is so common but not enough that Ford has issued a recall. Their fix is to replace the entire door assembly instead of rewelding a new one in place to the cost of $2127.58.

NHTSA ODI #11539215

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2023
Structure

Weld failed in front door making loud popping noise when door opens and closes , affects window operation , eventually affecting door closing

NHTSA ODI #11538518

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2023
Structure

audible loud click/twang noise from drivers door upon full opening.It happens every time door is opened and has become worse since trip to Virginia where when opening door on a hill the door really started popping loudly at full open.The Ford Dealer says its due to a broken/failed door check weld inside door.Dealer also stated …

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audible loud click/twang noise from drivers door upon full opening.It happens every time door is opened and has become worse since trip to Virginia where when opening door on a hill the door really started popping loudly at full open.The Ford Dealer says its due to a broken/failed door check weld inside door.Dealer also stated Ford is aware of this defect and released an internal directive called a Special Service Message which directs Dealer to replace drivers door due to a failed weld at the door check assembly base part number 7823552.The Dealer also advised me they have seen multiple instances of unintended door opening/closing failures due to this Safety concern which is very alarming.Unfortunately our vehicle is just out of base warranty by time quoting approx 2899.$ to fix it.I called FOMOCO customer assistance 800 392 3673 created contact CAS44167123-Z9G8H0 requesting WARRANTABLE repair based on known safety defect.FOMOCO denied financial assistance.I am notifying NHTSA of this known defect and the obvious related safety hazard of unintended door opening or failure to fully close .My local dealer advised me they have had to replace doors on approximately 15 vehicle so far and the larger dealer in Brandon advised me they have seen that many failures as well.i certainly hope we r not next.

NHTSA ODI #11537665

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2023
Structure

Opened door as usual made loud pop noise and now does not shut properly and flings open. Window will not go down and when I accidentally tried to put it down it made the dash flash and go blank for awhile. Ford said it is a known issue but my car went out of warranty in May and directed me to Ford. Ford said that they may hel…

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Opened door as usual made loud pop noise and now does not shut properly and flings open. Window will not go down and when I accidentally tried to put it down it made the dash flash and go blank for awhile. Ford said it is a known issue but my car went out of warranty in May and directed me to Ford. Ford said that they may help pay for some of the repairs. But will have to see and investigate. I figured it was just a piece that needed to be fixed they say a whole new door? But tonight the door just came open while going down the road.

NHTSA ODI #11537565

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.