2020 Ford Escape engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 25V345000May 23, 20251,809 vehicles
  ENGINE

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.

• Recall 23V380000May 26, 2023125,322 vehicles
  ENGINE

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If a connecting rod bearing failure is detected, dealers will replace the engine long-block. All inspections and repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S27. This recall expands and replaces recall number 22V-484. Vehicles previously repaired under 22V-484 will need to have the new remedy completed.

• Recall 22V484000Jul 7, 2022100,689 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS:ACTIVE SHUTTERS/GRILL · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will modify the under engine shield and active grille shutter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S47.

• Recall 22V191000Mar 25, 2022345,451 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.

  Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 27, 2026TXEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   When driving, the car will shudder and jolt when shifting gears, particularly from 2nd to 3rd. It will not accelerate properly at times and has almost caused me to be rear ended when merging on highways at highway speeds. This might be tied to the transmission issues that other 2020 ford escapes are dealing with.

   NHTSA complaint #11767282 · source
2. Filed Sep 5, 2026AZElectrical SystemEngineSuspension

   White foggy smoke from exhaust. Backing sensor or driving sensor are off when sensing environment. Car suspension not fully stable sorta drift to left or right.

   NHTSA complaint #11762391 · source
3. Filed Sep 4, 2026MDEngineOther / Unknown

   I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Escape, which currently has an unrepaired safety recall involving the fuel injectors. Recall Information: Manufacturer Recall Number: 25S76 NHTSA Recall Number: 25V467 Recall Date: July 16, 2025 According to the recall notice, a fuel injector may crack and cause fuel to accumulate on top of the engine. The notice states that liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor near hot engine or exhaust components could ignite and cause an…

   NHTSA complaint #11762151 · source
4. Filed Sep 4, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and…

   NHTSA complaint #11762106 · source
5. Filed Aug 24, 2026OHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   UNKNOWN, just here to make a complaint. Fuel Injectors have not failed yet but Ford Motor Company has not yet found a remedy even after 12+ months since recall was initiated. Recall was sent out August 18th, 2025 and no remedy has become available. Currently still waiting

   NHTSA complaint #11758969 · source
6. Filed Aug 21, 2026130,000 miTNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle jerked significantly. The contact continued to drive the vehicle despite the failure, which intensified while coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11758510 · source
7. Filed Aug 20, 2026ALEngine

   2020 ford fusion taken to Bessemer Ford dealership July 20 2026 with issues to vehicle sputtering. The vehicle was returned as no problem found On August 15, 2026vehicle ran hot and shut down 140 miles away from home. The vehicle was then towed to Huntsville Ford. I was sent a video by the dealership of the coolant being milky brown but have had no contact with them at this time. When I call or text I receive a message stating they will get back with me when they can.

   NHTSA complaint #11758221 · source
8. Filed Aug 13, 2026101,000 miWAEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to move, with an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated; however, the message "Place Vehicle in Park to Restart Engine" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified…

   NHTSA complaint #11756833 · source
9. Filed Aug 13, 2026WAEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, upon depressing the accelerator the vehicle would not move and an abnormal beeping sound was emitted, no warning lights were illuminated however a warning message was displayed on the instrument panel "Place vehicle in park to restart engine". The local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not diagnosed due to cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified…

   NHTSA complaint #11756832 · source
10. Filed Aug 3, 2026NJEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    We have experienced fuel leaks and engine stalling, and three separate dealerships have refused an interim safety fix or alternate transportation. This is our primary vehicle for transporting our children and it's no longer safe. The RPMs jump all over, we occasionally smell gasoline, and the entire car shakes. Everybody tells us they can't replicate the problem and claim it's okay. It stalled on me when I was driving down a busy highway during rush hour and a tractor…

    NHTSA complaint #11754454 · source
11. Filed Jul 29, 2026SCBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

    Got recalls notice but the local dealership in st george SC (family ford) told me they wont do the brake or fuel injector recall until i have issues so i guess until my car catches on fire with my kids in it then they will do something

    NHTSA complaint #11753532 · source
12. Filed Jul 23, 2026OHEngineLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

    I have things wrong with my vehicle that are not currently included in recalls for my specific VIN but they are for the same model year. Yesterday, I paid $6000 to fix a stuck wastegate on the turbo and something to do with the ABS. I was informed that there is a $700 problem with a vacuum pump. I have also paid for 2 costly repairs, one that wouldn't let the car start after refueling and something else that triggered a check engine light. How do you get a recall extended to…

    NHTSA complaint #11752422 · 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