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
What owners actually said
288 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Unknown Or Other
Yesterday when I opened my driver side door there was a grinding/popping noise. I looked on-line and saw that it is the door check defect on the 2020 and 2021 escapes that is an issue with the welding. I called the dealership today and they said because it is over the milage for the warranty that it will not be covered. Ford …
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Yesterday when I opened my driver side door there was a grinding/popping noise. I looked on-line and saw that it is the door check defect on the 2020 and 2021 escapes that is an issue with the welding. I called the dealership today and they said because it is over the milage for the warranty that it will not be covered. Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin TSB-SSM 50150 but there is not a recall and there are several class action lawsuits regarding the issues. I was told to file a report with your agency.
NHTSA ODI #11564613
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Power Train
Car was parked on sloped driveway by dealer's service department driver. Car was shut off and in park, but parking brake was not on. The driver was out of the car taking pictures when it started to roll backwards down the driveway. The driver saw it happen and set the parking brake, It rolled approximately 18 inches and then sto…
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Car was parked on sloped driveway by dealer's service department driver. Car was shut off and in park, but parking brake was not on. The driver was out of the car taking pictures when it started to roll backwards down the driveway. The driver saw it happen and set the parking brake, It rolled approximately 18 inches and then stopped. I had thought that this had happened previously, but it was much more noticeable watching from outside the car. I contacted the dealer immediately and was told it was normal and to just pay attention to it. He did not suggest bringing it in for inspection. No warning lights or messages.
NHTSA ODI #11564609
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2024
Structure
Driver door: spot welds inside door shell for hinge attachment have broken inside door; door difficult to close and open; unable to properly open/close window
NHTSA ODI #11564312
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
I purchased the vehicle brand new in February 2020 and it has had persistent battery/electrical issues. In May 2022 the battery was malfunctioning and I was driving it to the dealership to be examined and it completely died while I was driving. The electrical system failed while I was driving. I have had the battery replaced at …
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I purchased the vehicle brand new in February 2020 and it has had persistent battery/electrical issues. In May 2022 the battery was malfunctioning and I was driving it to the dealership to be examined and it completely died while I was driving. The electrical system failed while I was driving. I have had the battery replaced at least 3 times in less than 4 years and, despite the battery being replaced less than a year ago, it needs to be replaced again. Ford is not willing to cover the replacement battery despite it being less than 1 year ago. Ford is not standing by their vehicle and refusing to accommodate the repeated battery issues, including catastrophic failure while driving.
NHTSA ODI #11564186
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2024
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The…
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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ODI #11564157
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2024
Engine
For NHTSA recall, 23V80, Ford has NOT provide a resolution to this recall from June 2023. I am sending in this complaint as Ford indicated in June 2023 letter to contact the Hotline if a repair is not provided in a reasonable timeline. As of 1/8/2024 there is no repair available.In addition, a loaner until the repair is complete…
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For NHTSA recall, 23V80, Ford has NOT provide a resolution to this recall from June 2023. I am sending in this complaint as Ford indicated in June 2023 letter to contact the Hotline if a repair is not provided in a reasonable timeline. As of 1/8/2024 there is no repair available.In addition, a loaner until the repair is completed is not available.
NHTSA ODI #11564109
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceede…
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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ODI #11563708
58,000 miles · Jan 4, 2024
Structure
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the front driver's side door, the door made an abnormal popping sound. The contact determined that the front driver's side door spot welds had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was …
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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the front driver's side door, the door made an abnormal popping sound. The contact determined that the front driver's side door spot welds had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #11563550
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2024
Engine
Car frequently stalls. Will not restart. Dealer has been saying a fix will come, but it never comes. Your documentation says a fix in October. It's now January and no fix in site.
NHTSA ODI #11563373
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2024
Structure
bracket tack welds failed in drivers side front door at attachment of the door check to the door frame. Resulting loose end causes multi-part safety hazard. First, it jams door, randomly presenting it from closing and latching properly, which defeats the auto-lock safety features designed to maintain body integrity in the event …
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bracket tack welds failed in drivers side front door at attachment of the door check to the door frame. Resulting loose end causes multi-part safety hazard. First, it jams door, randomly presenting it from closing and latching properly, which defeats the auto-lock safety features designed to maintain body integrity in the event of an accident (hazard 1). It also binds now and then, preventing door from being opened for the driver of the car (hazard 2). Third, while flopping around inside the door, the part interferes with the opening of drivers side window (hazard 3). Hazard 2 and 3 in combination create a condition where safe egress from the vehicle in the event of an emergency is not assured for the driver. Dealer confirmed issue and issued quote to replace the door. Manufacturer thinks its not their problem unless its under warranty. Issue is well described in various locations on the web, so its not a one-off manufacturing issue, rather a systemic design/implementation problem.
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
2
PE23013 · 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.
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