general problems of the 2020 Ford Escape - part 1

Subject: request for buyback or trade assistance – 2020 Ford Escape se to whom it may concern, I am writing regarding my 2020 Ford Escape equipped with the 1. 5l engine, which is currently subject to multiple open safety recalls. Of particular concern is the active fuel injector recall involving a risk of engine compartment fire. I understand that the current remedy does not fully address the underlying defect and that additional actions may still be pending. In addition, my vehicle is affected by other safety-related recalls, compounding concerns about reliability and safe operation. Given the nature of these issues—specifically the fire risk and the lack of a complete and permanent repair— as well as a history of over 15 recalls on this vehicle, I am increasingly concerned about the safety, usability, and value of my vehicle. This situation has significantly impacted my confidence in operating the vehicle. Based on these circumstances, I am formally requesting that Ford motor company review my case for: • a manufacturer buyback, or • substantial trade assistance toward a new Ford vehicle, or • appropriate goodwill compensation reflecting the ongoing safety concerns and diminished value I would appreciate prompt review by a case manager and a written response outlining Ford’s proposed resolution. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss next steps. Thank you.

There is no incident, yet, just a recall that I have for this vehicle, coming up on a year here soon, for a fuel leak that could cause a fire under the hood while driving, and Ford doesn't seem to think that's urgent enough to get the parts to fix it. What's up with that? safety recall notice, 25s76 NHTSA recall, 25v467.

The car has been jerking and shuddering and losing power when I accelerate. Was told it needs a new transmission.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that after shifting to reverse(r), the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000.

The contact’s daughter owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v467000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 26v123000 (back over prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while in reverse(r), the back over prevention sensor alarmed the driver that a person or an object was in the rear of the vehicle, even though there was nothing behind the vehicle. While accelerating at various speeds and after being idle, the vehicle jerked abnormally before accelerating. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle jerked and failed to immediately start, causing the driver to have to aggressively depress the accelerator pedal for the engine to start. The wrench warning light and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was unable to speak with a representative. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

I am reporting an ineffective remedy for recall 22s21. The vehicle was 'inspected' in 2022, but the original defective part (date code 2020) remains and is now leaking oil onto hot engine components, creating the fire risk the recall was intended to prevent. The dealership (Ford [dealer name]) is refusing to honor the recall and is demanding $500 to address a safety defect. This is a violation of 49 u. S. C. § 30120. The vehicle is exhibiting the exact failure symptoms described in safety recall 22s21 (NHTSA 22v-191): active oil leakage in the engine compartment. While the dealership refuses to perform a 'no-charge' forensic teardown, I have documented a 2020-dated oil separator still on the vehicle despite a 2022 'completion' notice in the Ford oasis system. The presence of oil in the turbocharger is a documented consequential result of high crankcase pressure caused by this failed component.

Turbo failed due to oil lines clogged. Failed again after repair two weeks later on highway almost causing a collision.

The transmission shifting got increasingly rough over time, and then suddenly refused to shift into gear/reverse. The Ford shop told us it was the reverse solenoid, but it ended up requiring a full transmission rebuild. Safety of the car refusing to shift gears led to loss of power several times, unable to accelerate in traffic, until total failure occurred. Problem was inspected by Ford dealership, then repaired by independent service center due to cost. Not inspected by insurance, as it did not result in a collision. Warning lamps did not turn on until total failure occurred. Then lights on gear shift dial blinked, refused to allow us to put the car in gear. Dash lights also indicated "check engine" at that time, but no earlier.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the engine was running rough, and the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated to 25 mph. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing the cylinder head to crack. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

My vehicle has been in the shop since December due to the turbocharger needing to be replaced. Through this site I found the fuel injector recall which I had to fight Ford to evaluate. My vehicle had 2 cracked fuel injectors. I have been fighting with Ford that everything I read states that this can damage the turbocharger. I am not sure if this is theright organization to look for help but I need to try.

While driving and idling, strong exhaust fumes enter the cabin, especially when the vehicle is in park or stopped at a traffic light. Air recirculation shuts off by itself and the airflow is very weak even on high settings. Remote start caused the cabin to fill with fumes before entering the vehicle, leading to headache and difficulty breathing within minutes. Symptoms are consistent with carbon monoxide exposure. Cabin and engine air filter is brand new. Just replaced 12/13/2025. Fumes are significantly worse at idle, suggesting an exhaust manifold crack or turbo exhaust leak. This is a serious safety hazard, and I am concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning and risk of losing consciousness while driving. It was so bad I had to have all windows open and the heat off in 30 or below temperature just to breathe. I have a very small child with heart problems and I'm concerned my vehicle is no longer safe to drive.

My car shut down from a new engine block recall or mandate. Has been in the shop for four months with no eta on when it will be done. This is my only way of transportation.

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 not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from under the hood, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. However, it was unclear if the failure was recall-related. The parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. The VIN was not available.

Nhtsa recall 25v467 was issued in July 2025. It has been over 3 months of constant fear for under-hood fire from possible fuel injector crack. My family's safety has been at risk long enough, this needs a permanent fix please!.

My 2020 Ford Escape's 2. 0 ecoboost engine suffered a catastrophic head gasket failure at only 83 thousand miles. This occurred on 10/9/2025 and was confirmed via Ford dealership (crossroads Ford- ravena, NY) on 10/13/2025. Prior to 10/9, there were no warning signs or known mechanical issues. The failure happened out of nowhere. In discussing the failure with the Ford service advisor, it was explained that Escape models prior to 2020 have this failure commonly reported, leading to class action lawsuits/coverage from Ford. I am reporting my occurrence so it can be documented in hopes of Ford being held accountable in the future. Such poor product quality can not only endanger the lives of customers but also cause great economic impact to customers and their families.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle hesitated while attempting to start, with the power train warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v467000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,474.

Head gasket got damaged and there was coolant leakage to the engine. There was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes and we did not want to drive the car. So we towed the car to the Ford dealership and they confirmed the issue. Currently they are repairing the car.

"engine stalls on the road after refueling the vehicle", some sort of evap issue, the purge valve leaks and pours so much vapor to cylinder with overwhelming fuel vapors, system can't handle too much fuel at once and shuts down. This happens every time when I refuel, so I started to park the car and leave it to idle every time after refueling, and even so it's rough idle. If I notice this pattern, this issue with the car for a while! I can't think of a scenario where someone on a highway middle of the night, hits the road after refueling, and if it stalls! rough idling is okay, but stalling on the road is a safety issue! please note, there is no cel so far!.

Car has self started in my garage 3 times in the last two weeks, just now it did it again. This is very dangerous, could hurd someone or burn my house down. This needs to be looked into.

On 9/15/2025, my 2020 Ford Escape se began experiencing serious electrical and shift system issues: hard downshifting, “shift system fault” warning, inability to go into park, and failure to shut off without disconnecting the battery. I confirmed a related pcm recall was active and had the vehicle towed to art hill Ford for diagnostic and recall service. The dealership refused to perform the pcm recall, claiming my issue “didn’t match” the symptoms — despite clear electrical failure. Instead, they diagnosed a park pawl solenoid issue without scanning or physically inspecting the vehicle. I was told the issue was resolved, paid ~$1,400, and picked up the vehicle. Within 24 hours, new and dangerous transmission issues arose: harsh downshifting, loss of power, sudden high rpms, and dashboard warnings. I became stranded in the middle of the road and had to have the car towed again. After this second visit, the dealer claimed there were metal shavings in the transmission and now says I need a full transmission replacement (~$10,000). These shavings were not reported during their first transmission disassembly — which is highly suspicious and may indicate the damage was caused during or after their service. Replacing transmission fluid on high-mileage vehicles (mine has ~132,000 miles) is known to be risky and can cause internal failure if not done carefully. My transmission had no mechanical problems prior to this visit. I now believe the dealership’s misdiagnosis, failure to perform the pcm safety recall 1st, and service caused a safety-critical failure that they are refusing to take responsibility for. I am a veteran with a pregnant wife — we depend on this vehicle. Ford corporate has not provided assistance. This situation has left me without transportation and potentially with catastrophic repair costs due to service-related damage.

Powertrain control module failure causing vehicle to lose power and engine to run at 5 to 6 rpms. And transmission not shifting properly. Vehicle is going into limp mode and will also shut down while driving but the engine stays running and the cruise does not shut off. There is not remedy for the recall that I believe is causing these issues. This has been going on for 6 month. This vehicle has been nothing but a problem.

My car hesitates when driving forward from a stop and the rpm's jump up and down. It almost stalls when going up a steep hill. I have to leave it running when filling it up or it is very hard to start and sometimes will stall after starting. Check engine light is on and tire sensor light is on. The sound system doesn't work. Have read online about a lot of people having the same problems with their car.

Based on the current recall for the 2020 Ford Escape, fuel injectors could crack, become hot and further leading to a fire under the hood. This letter of notice was sent in August 2025, its now nearly 2026 with zero repair in order. This is a huge safety issue, having a recall for something that could cause a fire screams safety issue!! being informed by a dealership that there is currently no update, no parts, or currently no fix to this issue. That also screams safety issue. I don't want to drive a vehicle that has a pretty major safety issue and not have any idea if or when it will be repaired. Personally I am looking for a way to trade this vehicle in or legally look at laws how this works as I have a family to transport in this vehicle and no longer want to risk our safety. Its absolutely insane to have a pretty major recall open for this length of time and have zero repair for it.

I am the owner of a 2020 Ford Escape. My vehicle falls under the recall dealing with defective fuel injectors. The dealership preformed the suggested service or installing the drain tube and updating the software. I’ve been noticing that my vehicle has a slight hesitation while accelerating in speed and I would periodically smell the strong scent of gasoline, but no check engine or warning lights ever come on. Here recently while driving, my car started slowing down unexpectedly by itself and started idling extremely rough, almost like a tractor and the check engine light came on. I pulled over in the nearest parking lot, turned the car off and looked under the hood but didn’t see anything out of the norm except a small wet spot on the engine cover and there was the slight smell of gasoline. I didn’t think anything of it because I had recently had my oil changed and thought it was probably just a slight spill from there they and refilled the engine oil. I was able to restart my car and everything seemed to have went back to normal. I was able to drive my car to the nearest auto part store where they were able to run a diagnostic scan to see why my check engine light was on. The scan pulled two error codes: the first one being p0302 which is a cylinder 2 misfire, and the second one being p3402 which is a cylinder 1 deactivation/intake valve control circuit performance. I called Ford to see what could be done and they informed me that there was currently no fix for my vehicle. And when asked what I should do the person on the phone told me to “drive the car until it was inoperable”. Which is absolutely crazy to me!.

When I push the driver window down and when I want to roll it up. The driver window don't go up I have to play with button by pushing it up and down for about 5 to 10 minutes. I have to keep pushing the button up-and-down or turn my car off, open my door it takes a minute for it to go back up. The passenger window goes up and on its on like for example I want to let the window up it comes down by itself. Ford has fixed the driver door panel for the window, but it's doing the same thing. My tire system, it doesn't give me the tire pressure. And when I put gas in my SUV, my engine is revving up-and-down, and it cuts off. And when I'm driving, he doesn't want to go I have to push on the gas to make it go. But as far as the window, I have issues with that every single day ever since Ford fixed my SUV. And the gas, every time I put gas in my SUV make like it wanna shut off, and it do shut off. Sometimes when I put my foot on the gas after pumping gas. This is a ongoing procedure for me. This happens every single day, and every time that I put gas in my SUV. This has been going on for about six months or more.

The "check engine" light came on so took in to be checked. Independent mechanic indicates that there is coolant leaking into one of the cylinders as the result of a casting defect and repair requires complete engine replacement. He tells me this is a common problem. I spoke with a local Ford dealership's service person who tells me this is a known defect in other Ford models as well and, in those models, Ford has extended the warranty to cover this repair. Ford is not covering it for this model, however. Since it is the same problem -- a manufacturing defect, Ford should cover/replace since continuing to drive it will result in a complete engine falure.

All kinds of warning lights come in and stay on, which a lot of people are having the same issue which is due to a faulty sensor module. . I almost hit a truck who pulled out of a parking lot once I was on top of him ( was trucks fault) and no warning lights were functioning properly. There's also a recall for a fuel injector issue that Ford is taking their sweet time to remedy, but technically I'm driving a time bomb that st any moment this fuel injection issue could crack and leak and cause a fire. And I'm not about to lose my life because of it. I've contacted Ford for a lemon law buyback and they are taking their sweet time in that. No warning lights are functioning properly causing a danger for me to drive it. But I have to have a reliable care to get to dr appts and to shop for groceries. Something has got to be done about this. And further more when I purchased this car used I questioned the salesperson at the used car lot about this recall paper that was in the glove compartment about the recall on the fuel injection. He told me it was nothing. Bull!!! why have that paper in the car if there wasn't a recall for the fuel injection when I bought it back in July 2023. No dealership should have the right to sell any car with a recall already in place. I want to sue the used car dealership for selling me this lemon. The car dealership was key auto of somersworth nh but now they have a new place in rochester nh. . . They should be held accountable for selling me the vehicle with a recall already in place. Ford said recall didn't go into effect till 2025, but why have a document in the car about it when I purchased car in 2023. Makes no sense.

Well there is a recall for fuel injection that could cause a fire under the hood and Ford has no parts and info to fix it right now. So basically I am driving a time bomb. How safe is that???? I either get my money back for purchasing this car or I will sue Ford company.

I have a recall for my vehicle that was sent out as an advanced notice back in July 2025. There is still no remedy available. This recall states my car could ignite in an engine fire if not repaired. This could cause serious danger or bodily harm to me and others while I'm driving.

Engine failure at 50,000 miles. 2020 Ford Escape needs full engine replacement due to the faulty 1. 5l engine Ford put in these vehicles knowing they were bad. Was driving on the highway and my engine started whining and then all of a sudden heard and felt a crash and then white smoke was coming out of the exhaust. I then lost acceleration which was dangerous on a highway.

Every time I tried to put gas in the car it will not start and the steering wheel locks.

Underneath the transmission is a part that once damaged could emit steel into the transmission which causes damage to the transmission. Small pieces of steel. My technician said it happens to all the Ford vehicles mainly the Ford Escape and Ford has not provided a recall for this and it cost $3,500. 00 to be replaced. I am disgusted that this damaged part that puts pieces of steel into the transmission could not be noted by Ford as a legitimate recall. Please see what you can do. It's been reported constantly. Thank you.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the traction control, awd, forward collision assist, and several other warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was a recall for other model vehicles for a similar failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective purge valve assembly. The contact had the part replaced; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

This recall has been open since mid 2025 and there is still no solution. My vehicle has been smelling of fuel everyday and is having a hard time starting when I fuel up. Check engine light is on and the code is this issue. Cannot get it fixed until this recall becomes available to be fixed by Ford. It has been way too long. The safety of me and my family riding in the my car everyday is unsafe. I cannot afford to fix this on my own and be reimbursed god knows when Ford comes up with a solution.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, there was oil leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after an oil change was performed, the mechanic informed the contact that the oil that was drained was like mud. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.