2020 Ford Escape Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,619 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2020 Ford Escape, 1% of the 1,619 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,700 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“12/26/2020 head-on collision, most impact to passenger front side - passenger side airbags did not deploy, drivers side airbags did deployed - injuries sustained by passenger and driver. Accident occurred on city street (50 MPH zone).”
NHTSA complaint #11386920, filed 2021-01, 3,000 miles“My air bag light is reporting - Your Air Bag Warning is on due to an issue with the front passenger air bag system. The front passenger airbag may not work properly. This light came on last week. This first appeared on 9/14. Also, I have another failure light reporting my seat belt is malfunctioning. First appeared 10/15. No one’s safety was put at risk yet. There were no warning messages, just indicator lights.”
NHTSA complaint #11771481, filed 2026-10“I was involved in a collision with a pick-up truck in Gallup, NM on 12/3/21. We hit the truck mid-section. Front of my Escape was pretty much destroyed. Our airbags did NOT deploy. Mine and my husbands safety was at risk due to the failure of the airbags to deploy in the crash. Vehicle is at the Ford Dealer in Gallup, NM waiting for State Farm to determine the next steps. I had no prior warnings or indications that the airbags were not functional.”
NHTSA complaint #11443283, filed 2021-12“I was in an accident on March 18 around 10 pm eastern time. I was t-boned and the side air bag never deployed. I have also since had issues with my powertrain light coming on and the vehicle loosing power.”
NHTSA complaint #11521111, filed 2023-05“I lost my ability to steer my vehicle. I attempted to step on the brakes and nothing happened. I hit a box truck in front of me going at least 30mph and only my shin airbag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11539046, filed 2023-08Related recalls
- 20V415000Jul 17, 2020Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side…Covers: Ford Escape 2020, Transit 2020
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 6 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 13 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% |
| 2018 | 9 | 0% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 25 | 2% |
| 2015 | 17 | 2% |
| 2014 | 32 | 2% |
| 2013 | 54 | 2% |
| 2012 | 25 | 4% |
| 2011 | 26 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 1% |
| 2009 | 14 | 1% |
| 2008 | 31 | 2% |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 4% |
| 2005 | 34 | 2% |
| 2004 | 45 | 9% |
| 2003 | 60 | 11% |
| 2002 | 79 | 8% |
| 2001 | 63 | 6% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2020 Ford Escape
671 complaintsOther or unknown
313 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
243 complaintsFuel system
199 complaintsElectrical system
160 complaintsEngine
122 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsForward collision avoidance
69 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
54 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology