2020 Ford Escape seats & seat belts problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V633000Aug 28, 2019639,137 vehicles
  SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

  Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 24, 2026OHAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   A nagging seat belt monitoring fault occurred with this vehicle. After researching this particular problem, I found that it is a well known issue to Ford (over several forums and owners websites), which is caused by a seat belt sensor. This fault comes up as a rear seat belt fault, but it is actually the driver's front seat belt sensor that is the problem. This fault causes the airbags to be turned off which poses a danger to any occupant in the vehicle if it is involved in…

   NHTSA complaint #11752710 · source
2. Filed Apr 3, 2026NYSeats & Seat Belts

   The drivers seat belt buckle lactch has broke. The part of the buckle that latched the seatbelt has broken and fallen down into the buckle therefore the drivers seat belt can not be worn. This is a huge safety issue and is also illegal. The seat beat and buckle should be something in a vehicle that doesn’t just break like this. Makes me very concerned that they will not hold up in an accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11729034 · source
3. Filed Feb 19, 2026NCElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   For months, I have had restraints indicator lamp warning, specifically for the driver seatbelt buckle sensor circuit, as well as one notification for a fault with the occupant classification system which includes air bags and safety belt buckle pretensioners. It is going to cost over $600 to fix the driver belt alone. As this is part of the safety features of a car, I do not feel as though the consumer should be responsible for this. It seems as though it should fall on that…

   NHTSA complaint #11719042 · source
4. Filed Dec 4, 2025FLSeats & Seat Belts

   So I bought this 2020 ford escape at 1100 miles. It was used as a dealership loaner vehicle until I bought it which put its 5 year at 11/19/2025, although I purchased it 12/2+/2020. Which h doesn't make sense. I'm slightly over the 60k/5 yr safety warranty because of it being a loaner vehicle first. I'm over the 60k by 19k, but under my 5 yr warranty. My driver seat belt is malfunctioning, so all my air bags are inactive. I find this very unfair and unsafe as I have 3…

   NHTSA complaint #11703127 · source
5. Filed Nov 3, 2025FLSeats & Seat Belts

   The passenger front seat handle to let the seat recline broke off. There has to be some kind of defect to the way it was put together.

   NHTSA complaint #11697095 · source
6. Filed Sep 18, 2025NVDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts

   .After activating the cruise control on the freeway for a few minutes, the cruise control deactivated and displayed the "Adaptive Cruise Not Available" message on the dashboard, immediately lowering the speed. Additionally, the sunroof interior stopped working after opening it. The bar that helps retract the sunroof interior came loose, and Ford says the repair is not covered under the extended warranty. There was also a problem with the rear seat belts, which displayed a…

   NHTSA complaint #11688117 · source
7. Filed Jun 26, 2025WISeats & Seat Belts

   Rear seatbelt monitoring system came up on dash , which is the drivers seatbelt, then the seatbelt light stays on , had to have the item replaced costing 600 dollars , knowing it’s a safety thing I would like it covers under ford ! And get reimbursed for it ! Safety!!!

   NHTSA complaint #11669408 · source
8. Filed Jun 6, 202522,260 miVASeats & Seat BeltsVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "restraint indicator lamp” was displayed. The contact’s daughter retracted the seat belt and reinserted the seat belt, but the message remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. On another occasion while the vehicle was started, the rear…

   NHTSA complaint #11665344 · source
9. Filed Apr 8, 2025MIAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   The vehicle has two indicator lamp warnings. One warning for a rear seatbelt monitor fault and one warning for the driver's seatbelt monitor fault. When these seatbelt monitor faults occur the airbags throughout the vehicle are no longer operational. The safety risk of not having operational airbags is extremely high and puts all passengers at risk of serious harm or death. The vehicle is currently at a local Ford dealership undergoing diagnostic testing.

   NHTSA complaint #11653436 · source
10. Filed Oct 16, 202470,000 miAZSeats & Seat Belts

    The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while parked when he buckled the seat belt, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. The failure occurred on the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 70,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11620216 · source
11. Filed Apr 23, 2024CASeats & Seat Belts

    The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Rear Belt Monitor Fault Service" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

    NHTSA complaint #11584739 · source
12. Filed Mar 4, 2024COSeats & Seat Belts

    The driver's seat has something protruding (seat heater?) into your tailbone which causes pain and discomfort. The constant adjusting to get comfortable (grabbing the steering wheel to pull myself forward) and slower reaction due to pain and numbness is a hazard waiting to happen. I have not addressed this with my local dealership as they had my car for 7 weeks and only fixed the recall issue (window switch) and none of the other 5 issues I took it in for.

    NHTSA complaint #11575415 · 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