2020 Ford Escape Hybrid engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 22, 2025FLEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11682471 · source
2. Filed Mar 19, 202538,000 miOREngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal coolant consumption was noticed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11649296 · source
3. Filed Nov 5, 202437,400 miAZEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after driving a short distance and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination. The contact stated that the incident was significantly frightening. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11623623 · source
4. Filed Sep 19, 2024NYElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I have received 2 letters from manufacturer, than I had appointment dealer service, I went there and worker sad to me we don't have it, than I tried another services , they same answer, than I contacted ford, ford told to me car is good condition don't need replacement

   NHTSA complaint #11615422 · source
5. Filed Sep 18, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Upon purchasing and receiving the car from a dealership, I attempted to drive it around my neighborhood and after about 1 minute received a warning saying "safely stop now!" and the steering wheel locked and the power shut off in the middle of the street. The car would not turn back on and had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership (not Ford) already replaced the battery and that did not fix the issue. They are having to take it to Ford service to get it looked at.…

   NHTSA complaint #11615260 · source
6. Filed Aug 27, 2024MOElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   We were traveling to Springfield MO and just before Strafford our 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE flashed a wrench warning on our screen and immediately went into limp mode in rush hour traffic on I-44. We were in the passing lane going up a hill at the time passing a commercial truck and our speed dropped significantly. Luckily the vehicles behind us to were able slow down in time.

   NHTSA complaint #11611195 · source
7. Filed Aug 15, 202472,000 miPAEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and stated that the dealer only updated the powertrain control module, and had not inspected the engine. The contact stated that there was still a risk of an engine compartment fire. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11608683 · source
8. Filed Aug 14, 202443,578 miTNEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle at the gas station, fuel was splashing out of the fuel filler neck. The contact stated that upon attempting to refuel the vehicle again, the gas pump nozzle unintendedly stopped several times and fuel splashed onto the contact; however, the fuel tank was not full. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Service Engine Soon" and other unknown messages were…

   NHTSA complaint #11608505 · source
9. Filed Jun 23, 2024GAElectrical SystemEngine

   My escape continues to shut down after parking and will not restart. Push button light will sometimes turn green but will not come on , dial to P flashes but will not move . Sometime I can quickly jump it off and it restarts but most recently and to get someone to disconnect both batteries and reconnect and it will start … it acts like it has to restart the electrical system . I have seen many examples of others having the same issues

   NHTSA complaint #11595981 · source
10. Filed May 24, 2024MOElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Was driving the car when it suddenly went dead with the following message on the screen: “Vehicle network communication error”. By chance I happened to be able to coast off the road otherwise i would have been stranded on a very busy road. The vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer where the problem was reproduced, the car has been at the dealer for 1 week now with no idea what the problem is. There was no warning prior to the error appearing and the vehicle completely stopping.…

    NHTSA complaint #11590669 · source
11. Filed May 24, 2024TXEngineOther / Unknown

    The car battery keeps being drained by modules staying active, this has affected my car so far twice in a year. This poses a safety issue as the car can get stuck and is inoperative. Ford has 2 service bulletins to repair the issue to reprogram the ABS module and PCM, they are SSM 49574 and SSM 49990. However Ford will not cover these repairs under extended warranty and although the issue initially occurred while under the 3yr/30k warranty but they didn’t have the service…

    NHTSA complaint #11590653 · source
12. Filed Apr 19, 2024VAEngine

    Recall was issues 5/2023 for Engine Stall/Fire risk. There has been no remedy done and it's coming up on one year since this has been issued. This was expanded upon the July 2022 recall that drilled holes and removed grill shutters , but it was shown to not have alleviated this issue. The issue is a rod bearing breaching the engine block causing the potential for devastating and potential personal injury along with property damage. In reaching out to the dealer , no remedy…

    NHTSA complaint #11584077 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology