2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Recalls & Complaints

Incident: October 23, 2026 · Filed: October 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving during rainy weather, the windshield wipers became inoperable and operated slowly. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the part for the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

Incident: October 13, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

While driving down the road the vehicle lost all power and left my wife in a dangerous position on the road. The vehicle was just in for service 4 days before and we were told the vehicle had no error codes. The vehicle has lost power on multiple occasions and we have had it at different dealer service departments where ford trained technicians continue to tell us nothing is wrong with the vehicle. However, I find the vehicle to be unsafe and unfit for the road.

Incident: September 14, 2026 · Filed: September 16, 2026

Brought vehicle in for Manufacturer Recall Number26C11 NHTSA Recall Number26V123 During the recall, the reprogramming procedure was unsuccessful and left my APIM non-operational. Fremont Ford returned the vehicle to me without a functioning display screen or backup camera while waiting for the replacement part to arrive. I was also informed that Ford would not provide a rental vehicle for this recall. As a result, I brought in a fully functional vehicle for a recall service and received it back with critical features no longer operational. This situation does not seem appropriate, particularly given that the backup camera is a safety-related system. I am now on day three without a functioning backup camera and have had difficulty contacting the dealership for updates or assistance.

Incident: January 1, 2022 · Filed: August 29, 2026

The thin metal gear shift dial has peeled extensively beginning in 2022 leaving RAZOR SHARP edges that cause constant skin lacerations as it's impossible to change gears and not to touch the sharp edges. I understand this is a very common problem with 2020 Ford models. Ford has now corrected the problem with newer models and the gear shift does not peel on newer models. However, that is STILL no help for current owners with the defective gear shifts. This is a serious defect causing unavoidable injury and needs to be addressed. This is the same problem that the defective window controls had and they were corrected by recall. This is NOT a cosmetic problem. Cosmetic problems do not cause injury. Why is the NHTSA and Ford not taking this seriously?

Incident: July 3, 2026 · Filed: August 27, 2026

The rear cross traffic sensors are not detecting cross traffic when in reverse every time. It will work sometimes, but it failed to work at all for weeks. I have video showing it not working properly. I brought this to the dealership and was told that this is something that I will be required to fix out of my own pocket. This safety feature should be fixed or replaced at no cost the me because I was not involved in it no longer functioning. It is not clear why safety features that malfunction should be repaired at cost to the vehicle owner. If they stop functioning they should be fixed by the manufacturer.

Incident: August 16, 2026 · Filed: August 19, 2026

I went to [XXX] for the weekend, and on Sunday XXX I just left a restaurant and my car was parked on the street. As I left I was driving down a one way public street. I thought I hit a parked car to my right because I heard a noise that sounding like I hit something. I looked in the mirror and saw I was far from the parked cars and kept going. I went about a mile more and parked, and when I got out of the vehicle my friend/passenger said what happened to your car? and the passenger side top cover of my tailgate was missing. I told him I had a safety recall with ford and they fixed it earlier this year, but when looked at the remaining clip, it was just a square piece of Velcro showing. Cover was gone. It was there in the morning when we left the hotel and put our luggage in the rear liftgate cargo hold. Note; The day prior I was driving 2 and a half miles from [XXX] to [XXX] on the XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: July 27, 2026 · Filed: August 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic sunroof center trim piece became dislodged. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 23-213 and stated it was a known issue with the panoramic sunroof center trim pieces being dislodged due to extreme heat and weather. The dealer was contacted and stated that a master technician was needed to perform the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Incident: July 27, 2026 · Filed: August 7, 2026

When the outside temperature gets over 95F, the rotary gear shifter locks up in Park and will not let you shift into Drive. Multiple restarts over 30 minutes with the A/C center console pointed down to cool off the rotary shifter dial. This really is annoying. Twice I was late for appointments. I am handicapped disabled veteran and need this car to work, 100 percent of the time. The ford escape online forums, nor Ford have a fix. It's a KNOWN problem on the forums. Ford said they fixed it when I sent it in for an unrelated maintenance stop. DID NOT FIX IT.

Incident: May 12, 2026 · Filed: July 20, 2026

​VEHICLE INFORMATION ​Year/Make/Model: 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Titanium ​Component: Electrical / Instrument Cluster / Digital Display Unit (IPC) ​Hazard: Critical Visual Hazard & Operational Safety Defect ​STATEMENT OF SAFETY CONCERN The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the 2020 Ford Escape Titanium is experiencing severe pixelation and flickering, indicating imminent screen failure. Because this trim lacks mechanical gauges, screen failure blinds the driver to vital real-time operating metrics: ​Speedometer: Prevents real-time speed monitoring, increasing collision risk. ​Engine Temperature: Hides thermal warnings, risking sudden engine breakdown or overheating. ​Fuel Gauge: Obscures fuel levels, risking sudden loss of propulsion in active traffic. ​Warning Lights: Hides critical alerts for Brake System, Airbags, Tire Pressure, and High-Voltage Hybrid System faults. ​OPERATIONAL HAZARD ANALYSIS Driving with a malfunctioning instrument panel creates immediate hazards: ​Driver Distraction: Constant screen flickering directly in the driver's line of sight creates a dangerous visual distraction, especially at night. ​Power Loss Risk: Lack of fuel/hybrid monitoring increases the likelihood of stalling on highways or busy intersections. ​Loss of Safety Warnings: The vehicle cannot communicate critical restraint or braking system failures to the driver. ​REQUESTED ACTION / RESOLUTION This condition represents an active safety defect. I request: ​Immediate diagnostic and replacement of the digital instrument cluster unit (IPC) or control module under applicable technical/safety service guidelines. ​Formal documentation of this defect with Ford Motor Company and reporting to federal regulators (NHTSA).

Incident: June 23, 2026 · Filed: July 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer performed the software reprogramming; however, a week after the recall repair, the display screen and rearview camera shut off again. Additionally, a piece of interior ceiling trim fell and struck the contact's arm, resulting in a minor injury. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired due to the dealer's request for a diagnostic fee for the recall remedy inadequacy. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was informed that the vehicle needed an unknown oil. The vehicle was repaired, but the check engine light continued to be illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.