Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid problems

Owners filed 290 complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid with NHTSA between Jan 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (105).

Complaints
290
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure105
  2. Engine64
  3. Electrical system43
  4. Power train30
  5. Back over prevention7
  6. Fuel/propulsion system6
  7. Forward collision avoidance6
  8. Visibility/wiper6
  9. Lane departure6
  10. Vehicle speed control5
  11. Service brakes5
  12. Steering4
  13. Fuel system, gasoline3
  14. Air bags3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202014
202124
202220
2023109
2024103
20256
202614

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

105 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026StructureODI 11757511

Engine

64 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2025EngineODI 11682471

Electrical system

43 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11771294

Power train

30 reports1 related recall
“When the outside temperature gets over 95F, the rotary gear shifter locks up in Park and will not let you shift into Drive. Multiple restarts over 30 minutes with the A/C center console pointed down to cool off the rotary shifter dial. This really is annoying. Twice I was late for appointments. I am handicapped disabled veteran and need this car to work, 100 percent of the time. The ford escape online forums, nor Ford have a fix. It's a KNOWN problem on the forums. Ford said they fixed it when I sent it in for an unrelated maintenance stop. DID NOT FIX IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2026Power trainODI 11755477

Back over prevention

7 reports
“The rear cross traffic sensors are not detecting cross traffic when in reverse every time. It will work sometimes, but it failed to work at all for weeks. I have video showing it not working properly. I brought this to the dealership and was told that this is something that I will be required to fix out of my own pocket. This safety feature should be fixed or replaced at no cost the me because I was not involved in it no longer functioning. It is not clear why safety features that malfunction should be repaired at cost to the vehicle owner. If they stop functioning they should be fixed by the manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Back over preventionODI 11760043

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“While filling the gas tank with fuel the fuel spits back causing an unsafe condition. There is a technical service bulletin for this by Ford (number 22-2433), but no recall. Many people have complained about this condition.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11626906
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.