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EnginePart report

2020 Ford Escape Engine Problems

Complaints
122about this part
Share
8%of 1,618 total for the year
Median mileage
65,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 122 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Ford Escape, 8% of the 1,618 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 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 engine light in my 2020 Ford Escape keeps coming on. I took it to adamson, now stiverson dealership, a part was installed on the second visit. Two days later, the engine light came on again. I waited one week until I could get an appointment to return to the dealership on october 22, 2020. After waiting all day, I called the dealership and was told they had not had a chance look at the vehicle. I returned to the dealership on october 23, 2020 to have the dealership determine the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11365881, filed 2020-10, 2,000 miles

“Today, 4/19/2020, two of my co-employees noticed that my 2020 Ford Escape was making a ticking sound. I didn't hear the ticking sound until I was waiting in line at arby's drive-through at about 6:30 pm arizona time.. The ticking is coming from my engine area under the hood. The low oil level indicator light does not come on and there is no visible signs of an oil leak on the pavement where my Escape is parked. Could be bad spark plugs or camshaft. The Escape has been financed with alaska credit union and I have not made the first payment yet. …”

NHTSA complaint #11321583, filed 2020-04, 1,500 miles

“just got off car lot in july 2024 been having trouble with transmission slipping from day one. only i was told the car drives hard anyways but dealership refused to look at it once its off lot. lights are reading hillside drivers assistant and other readings no one can get off”

NHTSA complaint #11626025, filed 2024-11, 106,020 miles

“Vehicle shifts very hard when normally driving and when auto start and stop feature functions. The transmission does not know what gear it wants to stay in, often times jerking very hard, which moves the entire car at a complete stop or tosses the driver in their seat when moving and shifting. The vehicle also stalled several times, loosing throttle and function, almost causing me to get t-boned by 2 separate cars in traffic. Overall, the vehicle has issues with transmission shifts, engine realizability, and general safety features as a whole. …”

NHTSA complaint #11351091, filed 2020-08, 450 miles

“I am smelling gas every time I put gas and it won't start after putting gas there's a strong smell of gas inside my vehicle the recall has not been fixed yet I am a single mother and this is a safety risk issue how do I go forward powertrain is also still coming up I have other things popping up saying recalls were never fixed please help”

NHTSA complaint #11703340, filed 2025-12

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025519%
20241317%
20232828%
20223314%
20214413%
20201228%
201931753%
20181,16964%
20171,58359%
201620017%
201523921%
201472735%
20131,26646%
20127312%
201124819%
201049324%
200925415%
2008834%
20072510%
20064710%
20051309%
2004316%
2003244%
2002364%
2001273%

Other parts of the 2020 Ford Escape

Body and structure
671 complaintsOther or unknown
313 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
243 complaintsFuel system
199 complaintsElectrical system
160 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