IllustrationWAS DRIVING ON STRRET WHEN CAR STARTED DECELERATING FOR NO REASON. I PUSHED ON GAS PEDAL BUT CAR SLOWED TO A STOP IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. EVERYTHING RUNNING BUT GAS PEDAL NOT RESPONDING. HAD TO TURN CAR ON/OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AGAIN.
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape Hybrid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 67 of 288 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
64 reportsTHE TOP OF DASH BOARD IN ITS ENTIRETY BUT SPECIFICALLY THE TRIM PIECE AROUND THE HEADS-UP DISPLAY ON SPECIFIC TRIM/MODES CREATES A REFLECTION UPON THE WINDSHIELD, PARTICULARLY DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVERS MAIN SIGHT LINE, WITH SUCH LOW OPACITY IT MAKES DRIVING VISIBILITY DIFFICULT. ADDITIONALLY THE TRIM PIECE IS SMOOTH PLASTIC, WHERE…
Read full complaint
THE TOP OF DASH BOARD IN ITS ENTIRETY BUT SPECIFICALLY THE TRIM PIECE AROUND THE HEADS-UP DISPLAY ON SPECIFIC TRIM/MODES CREATES A REFLECTION UPON THE WINDSHIELD, PARTICULARLY DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVERS MAIN SIGHT LINE, WITH SUCH LOW OPACITY IT MAKES DRIVING VISIBILITY DIFFICULT. ADDITIONALLY THE TRIM PIECE IS SMOOTH PLASTIC, WHEREAS THE DASH ITSELF IS TEXTURED. THIS OCCURS PRIMARILY DURING THE DAY DURING ANY LIGHTING CONDITION OUTSIDE AND IS INCREASED WITH DIRECT SUNSHINE UPON THE VEHICLE.
BRAND NEW 2020 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID CAR INTERMITTENTLY STOPS AND CEASES. SEEMS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET. CAR IS INACCESSIBLE AND CANT EVEN GET INTO NEUTRAL. TRIED DISENGAGING ELECTRICAL BATTERY. HAD TO LET SIT FOR 15+ MINS AND CAR SEEMS TO REBOOT ITSELF. T…
Read full complaint
BRAND NEW 2020 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID CAR INTERMITTENTLY STOPS AND CEASES. SEEMS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET. CAR IS INACCESSIBLE AND CANT EVEN GET INTO NEUTRAL. TRIED DISENGAGING ELECTRICAL BATTERY. HAD TO LET SIT FOR 15+ MINS AND CAR SEEMS TO REBOOT ITSELF. THEN YOU CAN START AND PUT INTO DRIVE/REVERSE ETC BUT ACCELERATION DOES NOT WORK AND ONLY IDLES. THIS IS 2ND TIME HAPPENING. FIRST TIME, WE LET IT SIT FOR 30 MORE MINS AND SEEMS IT ELECTRICALLY REBOOTED ITSELF AND CAR WORKED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD IT 1 WEEK AND SAID ITS FINE NO COMPUTER ISSUES. [XXX]. (8/19/20). NOW, 8/28/2020 THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND WILL BE LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. WE HAD A 2012 ESCAPE THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON HIGHWAY IN 2014. FORD IS NOT PUTTING OUT SAFE PRODUCTS AND NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR THESE FAULTS AS THESE ARE SERIOUS ENDANGERMENT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
WHILE STEADILY DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, I SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER AND SIMULTANEOUSLY RECEIVED A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DRIVER'S DISPLAY TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY NOW. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WHERE ROAD HAD A SHOULDER, BUT THE CAR'S SPEED WAS LIMITED TO MAYBE 10 MPH EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED. (THE CAR IS …
Read full complaint
WHILE STEADILY DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, I SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER AND SIMULTANEOUSLY RECEIVED A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DRIVER'S DISPLAY TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY NOW. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WHERE ROAD HAD A SHOULDER, BUT THE CAR'S SPEED WAS LIMITED TO MAYBE 10 MPH EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED. (THE CAR IS A HYBRID, BUT HAD ONLY VERY LIMITED PROPULSIVE POWER IN WHAT SEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRIC MODE.) THE GAS ENGINE DID NOT KICK IN EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY TRYING TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM USING THE OWNER'S MANUAL, I PRESSED THE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THEN PRESSED IT AGAIN TO RESTART. THE GAS ENGINE STARTED, I REGAINED THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, AND THE CAR APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TWO DEALERSHIPS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN "ESCALATED" AS EFFORTS CONTINUE TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE AND THEN CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR'S HEATER WAS ON, AS WERE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE RADIO WAS PROBABLY ON. THE NAVIGATION SCREEN WAS DISPLAYED BUT WE WERE NOT USING THE GPS TO NAVIGATE. MY CELL PHONE WAS NOT ON, BUT IT WAS LYING ON THE CONSOLE. (I BELIEVE THERE IS A LARGE CELL PHONE TOWER WITHIN SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS OF WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.) THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 500 MILES ON IT. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS RECEIVED A DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1AOC WHEN TESTING THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THIS MEANS THAT A "SYSTEM OVERLOAD" WAS DETECTED. IN RESPONSE TO THE CODE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WAS "RESET" AND THEN CHECKED FOR UPDATES. I AM AWAITING FURTHER NEWS FROM THE SECOND DEALERSHIP.
Official recalls
125V881000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Dec 18, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid and 2020 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 15, 2026. This is an expansion of Recalls 24V330 (24S33) and 25V133 (25S16).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE23013 · Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
Opened Jul 7, 2023 · Closed Jan 24, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door ; Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:body:door
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.