Escape problems include structural issues, particularly the driver’s door not closing properly. But that’s not all—other serious problems involve the electrical system and power train.

The Ford Escape has a lot going for it, from plenty of space for passengers and cargo to peppy engine options that make this affordable crossover SUV oh-so-fun to drive. And let’s not forget those excellent fuel economy ratings and the easy-to-use infotainment system!

But that doesn’t mean it’s without its problems. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to explain everything that could go wrong with the 2020 Ford Escape. We’ll go over all the most common complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) submitted by actual drivers and take a closer look at reliability ratings too.

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The most common 2020 Ford Escape problems

The 2020 Ford Escape has its share of problems, considering the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received 192 complaints lodged against the popular crossover SUV.

The most common complaint with the 2020 Escape revolves around the actual structure of the vehicle—specifically the driver’s door failing to close properly. Some Escape owners have pointed to faulty spot welds that prevent the door from closing and make it difficult for the driver’s window to roll up and down accordingly. Structure issues with the Espace make up 46 out of the 192 NHTSA complaints.

The next biggest complaints deal with various aspects of the vehicle’s electrical system and power train. Some recent Escape drivers have reported that the “Stop Safely Now” alert will suddenly appear, forcing the vehicle to lose power while on the road. One driver proclaimed that their Escape would not allow them to go past 15 mph, while others complained that the SUV turned off completely—which can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.

Additional issues relating to the electrical system and powertrain include several components not working adequately, such as the back camera and lift gate. Many Escape drivers have also complained that the home screen will simply go black as a “network configuration error” message appears on the instrument panel.

But these aren’t the only problems Ford Escape owners might have to contend with. Other common problems with the 2020 Escape include:

Airbags not deploying upon collision

Cruise control will turn off while on the road

Blind spot monitor acts finicking when no cars are nearby

Uncomfortable seats due to spring or bar protruding where your tailbone rests

And with nearly 200 complaints against the 2020 Ford Escape, we shouldn’t be surprised that the crossover SUV has also received ten formal recalls. The four most recent recalls for 2022 include: cracked fuel injector may leak and cause a fire, engine compartment fire risk, insufficient welds in high voltage battery, and engine oil leak that could cause a fire.

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Is the 2020 Ford Escape reliable?

With all these problems, we can’t be shocked to learn that the 2020 Ford Escape has average reliability scores for a crossover SUV—at least according to J.D. Power.

But like most things in life, it depends on who you ask! While J.D. Power rates the 2020 Escape an average of 72/100 for quality and reliability, RepairPal gives the compact SUV an above-average 4.0/5.0 rating for reliability. Meanwhile, the average annual repair cost of a 2020 Ford Escape is about $600, meaning it has average ownership costs compared to other rival vehicles in its class.

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