NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 290 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. Most complaints involve structure (105) and engine (64). NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Escape Hybrid model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,584 |
| 2006 | 720 |
| 2007 | 393 |
| 2008 | 2,417 |
| 2009 | 153 |
| 2010 | 2,130 |
| 2011 | 1,334 |
| 2012 | 600 |
| 2020 | 290 |
| 2021 | 363 |
| 2022 | 70 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic sunroof center trim piece became dislodged. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 23-213 and stated it was a known issue with the panoramic sunroof center trim pieces being dislodged due to extreme heat and weather. The dealer was contacted and stated that a master technician was needed to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
“Sluggish acceleration, car would not go faster than 37 MPH at full throttle, appeared to be running on hybrid motor only, not on engine power. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. 2.5 L engine. Only got 1 mile, returned home. No smoke, no fire, just not accelerating. Car was completely fine the day before. Got towed to Ford dealer next morning.”
“While driving down the road the vehicle lost all power and left my wife in a dangerous position on the road. The vehicle was just in for service 4 days before and we were told the vehicle had no error codes. The vehicle has lost power on multiple occasions and we have had it at different dealer service departments where ford trained technicians continue to tell us nothing is wrong with the vehicle. However, I find the vehicle to be unsafe and unfit for the road.”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (105), engine (64), electrical system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.