Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
What owners actually said
288 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2021
Electrical System
After 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid did not start, it was towed to a Ford dealer. They diagnosed battery failure and put in a new one. When we drove away from the dealer, the car was disabled within one mile. They now say it wasn't the battery, it was the battery converter which I understand to be the equivalent to the altern…
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After 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid did not start, it was towed to a Ford dealer. They diagnosed battery failure and put in a new one. When we drove away from the dealer, the car was disabled within one mile. They now say it wasn't the battery, it was the battery converter which I understand to be the equivalent to the alternator in non-hybrids. The vehicle is under new car warranty. My wife was fortunate she was in the right lane and could pull onto the shoulder with minimal steering control. Some alerts on Ford Plus app: "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power." Also "Charge System Fault." And "Malfunction Indicator Lamp -- Regulatory."
NHTSA ODI #11427172
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2021
Unknown Or Other
Yesterday, July 25, 2021, I had a really unnerving experience driving my 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. As I was about a half mile into my drive, a “Stop Safely Now” warning popped up, and the car slowed to about 15 MPH. I pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle simply stopped. I couldn’t start it, and the engine and ba…
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Yesterday, July 25, 2021, I had a really unnerving experience driving my 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. As I was about a half mile into my drive, a “Stop Safely Now” warning popped up, and the car slowed to about 15 MPH. I pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle simply stopped. I couldn’t start it, and the engine and battery lights were red. The start button was flashing green. I sat there, with traffic passing by, unable to start the car or turn it off, as it appeared it was in accessory mode. I called Astoria Ford and talked to Greg, but it was Sunday, so no service available. I was fixing to have it towed and was prepared to wait an hour for the tow truck. After 20 minutes, a message popped up that said the car was going into a “System off to save battery mode…”. I was finally able to shut it off. A couple minutes later, I was able to restart the car, and drove immediately to the Astoria Ford dealership. The potential danger to this vehicle getting rear-ended seems great, and is a known issue with Ford now. Since I’ve owned the vehicle (a few months now), the car, when driving slowly down a hill and coming to a stop, will lurch and shudder, which leads me to believe that there could be some electrical and/or power train problems. It seems that there definitely should be a recall before something serious happens to those of us who own this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11426551
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2021
Power Train
Car randomly stopped and the stop safely now message appeared. The car would not turn off. The dash was still illuminated. I held the car start button for several seconds and the car finally turned off and I was able to reset it. The transmission light and battery light came on. I have not had any issues sense.
NHTSA ODI #11421933
11,800 miles · May 12, 2021
Seats
THE FRONT SEATS IN THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ONCE BY THE FRONT DEALER. IT DID NOT WORK AND THREE CALLS TO ESCALATE TO FORD HEADQUARTERS HAVE NEVER BEEN RETURNED. THE SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE ( FEELS LIKE RIDING ON A BUCKBOARD) THAT AFTER A COUPLE HOUR TRIP, IT PINCHED A NERVE IN MY HIP AND MY SLOW RESPONSE TO APPLYING THE BRAK…
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THE FRONT SEATS IN THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ONCE BY THE FRONT DEALER. IT DID NOT WORK AND THREE CALLS TO ESCALATE TO FORD HEADQUARTERS HAVE NEVER BEEN RETURNED. THE SEAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE ( FEELS LIKE RIDING ON A BUCKBOARD) THAT AFTER A COUPLE HOUR TRIP, IT PINCHED A NERVE IN MY HIP AND MY SLOW RESPONSE TO APPLYING THE BRAKE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM TOOK OVER AND STOPPED MY CAR. I NOW HAVE SCIATICA BECAUSE OF THIS SEAT AND AM BEING TREATED FOR IT. IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AND EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER TRIED THE SEAT AND AGREED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. HE HAS BEEN HELPFUL, BUT FORD IS BLOCKING ANY SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11416359
55 miles · May 11, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other
LIFT GATE RANDOMLY CLOSED HIT ME IN THE HEAD WHEN I AS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR.THELIFT GATE RANDOMLY OPENED WHEN I WALKED BEHIND THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11416047
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2021
Engine
2020 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THAT THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11414842
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2021
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING AND ALERT CAME ACROSS STARED NO GAS TO ENGINE AND THE STOP. I WAS DRIVING ONTO I75 45 MILES PER HOUR THEN THE CAR SPEED DROPPED TO 17 PULLED OUT OF THE LANE TO I75 .WENT ACROSS FRUITVILLE ROAD ONLY GOING 17. BARELY MADE IT A PLACE WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED. IF I WAS ON I75 I …
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I WAS DRIVING AND ALERT CAME ACROSS STARED NO GAS TO ENGINE AND THE STOP. I WAS DRIVING ONTO I75 45 MILES PER HOUR THEN THE CAR SPEED DROPPED TO 17 PULLED OUT OF THE LANE TO I75 .WENT ACROSS FRUITVILLE ROAD ONLY GOING 17. BARELY MADE IT A PLACE WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED. IF I WAS ON I75 I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR IF TBE CAR STOPPED ON EIGHT LANE FRUITVILLE ROAD I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
MY CAR HAS SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THESE WERE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. EACH TIME IT WAS ONLY THROUGH GOOD LUCK THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS TWO LANES OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC IN A CAR WITH NO ENGINE POWER TO PULL…
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MY CAR HAS SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THESE WERE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. EACH TIME IT WAS ONLY THROUGH GOOD LUCK THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS TWO LANES OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC IN A CAR WITH NO ENGINE POWER TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED IN JUNE, 2020, WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILD. I NOTICED RIGHT AFTER THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL/UPDATE NOTICE FOR MY CAR THAT SEEMED TO BE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER. IT WAS DESCRIBED AS A "20B14 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE UPDATE". I HAD THIS RECALL/UPDATE DONE BY A FORD DEALER ON JULY 24TH, 2020. I ASSUMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A DEFECT IN THE CAR'S OPERATING SYSTEM, BUT THAT THE RECALL/UPDATE HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEN, YESTERDAY, APRIL 9TH, 2020, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, AND IT WAS ONLY THROUGH GOOD LUCK THAT THEY AVOIDED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AND GOT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I NOTICED THAT NIGHT THAT FORD HAD SENT ME AN AUTOMATIC MESSAGE TO MY PHONE SAYING "THE HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS DISABLED THE GASOLINE ENGINE FUNCTION DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN BEING DETECTED." I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALER TODAY AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY UPDATED THE OPERATING CODE OF THE VEHICLE TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH "OPERATION NO. 212080A" TO SUM UP, MY CAR HAS NOW STOPPED DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM ERROR. THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN EITHER MY INDIVIDUAL CAR OR IN THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR A PROBLEM THIS SERIOUS TO HAPPEN TWICE.
NHTSA ODI #11407409
2,109 miles · Mar 24, 2021
Wheels
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN MY CAR NOTIFIED ME THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TOO LOW. WITHIN 10 MINUTES IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF AIR. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A PUNCTURE THIS BAD. I BELIEVE MY TIRE HAD THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL FOR THE CONTINENTAL TIRES ON OTHER ESCAPES. …
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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN MY CAR NOTIFIED ME THAT MY TIRE PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TOO LOW. WITHIN 10 MINUTES IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF AIR. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A PUNCTURE THIS BAD. I BELIEVE MY TIRE HAD THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL FOR THE CONTINENTAL TIRES ON OTHER ESCAPES. I'M TRYING TO AVOID HAVING THIS ISSUE AGAIN WITH ANY OF THE OTHER TIRES. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A TEAR IN THE SIDE WALL AND WAS UNSURE WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT.
NHTSA ODI #11404655
500 miles · Mar 7, 2021
Lane Departure
BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN THERE ARE NO CARS AROUND THE CAR. HAPPENS REGULARLY WHEN GOING STRAIGHT AT CONSISTENT SPEED, ACCELERATING, DRIVING AROUND A BEND; ANY AND ALL SITUATIONS. FALSE POSITIVES OCCUR DURING RAIN, DRY WEATHER, ALL LIGHTING CONDITIONS (NIGHT, EARLY MORNING, NOON, LATE AFTERNOON)
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.
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