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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Ford Escape Electrical system Problems

Complaints
160about this part
Share
10%of 1,618 total for the year
Median mileage
17,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 160 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Ford Escape, 10% of the 1,618 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,500 miles. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The hands free lift gate sometime works and then other times it will not. The other day at the car wash the tailgate would release when I would walk behind the vehicle while washing it. Also, the last time I filled vehicle with gas and cleaned the rear glass with water the tailgate would automatically release”

NHTSA complaint #11408430, filed 2021-04, 1,100 miles

“I just bought the car 2 weeks ago and have barely been driving it. 10/26 7am back up camera worked fine and at 630 pm while backing up-- it now has unviewable lines through the whole screen. It looks like my screen is corrupt or the back up camera is bad.”

NHTSA complaint #11366588, filed 2020-10, 250 miles

“The electrical in this car has been nothing but trouble. I bought the car with 2000 miles on it and I've had it about a month and I've had 4 issues with it. The first issues the cruise control epuld not work. I brought it in and they fixed it. My bottom cup holder broke twice now and it's like the bottom of it fell out. Today I get in my car to go to work and the speakers on the front drivers side of the car are not working. Is this typical of this kind of car or is it just my luck? …”

NHTSA complaint #11339508, filed 2020-07, 4,885 miles

“Car jerks off to the side of there is a turn lane, almost pulled steering wheel out of my hands. Does this every time I go by a turn lane at any speed”

NHTSA complaint #11406721, filed 2021-04, 8,000 miles

“Purchased a 2020 Ford Escape on 10-31-2020. On 11-23-20-11-24-20 I got messages about the transmission and my wife couldn't put the car in reverse after going to the store. Took the car to the dealer they didn't even check the transmission only the engine and computer system. Ended up back in there the same day 5 times because the anti crash and brake systems wasn't working. The service tech then drove it around the corner 5 different times to get the computer system to kick in. Eight days later 12-4-20 I get stuck in my friends driveway. The car wouldn't go in reverse. …”

NHTSA complaint #11383611, filed 2020-12, 1,602 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025727%
20242736%
20234141%
2022198%
20213410%
202016010%
2019376%
2018573%
20171566%
2016958%
201513512%
201421610%
201333912%
2012427%
20111179%
201021610%
20091438%
20081367%
20073012%
2006347%
200515311%
2004316%
2003397%
200212312%
200113614%
2000120%

Other parts of the 2020 Ford Escape

Body and structure
671 complaintsOther or unknown
313 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
243 complaintsFuel system
199 complaintsEngine
122 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsForward collision avoidance
68 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
54 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsWheels
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Ford Escape

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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