34 complaints reported

2020 Ford Escape STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
34
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jul 2025

The trim piece located between the sunroof and moonroof is secured only with double-sided tape, which is inadequate. As a result, the trim becomes detached and falls onto the sunroof shade. This causes the shade to come off its track, leading to sagging or complete detachment. When this occurs, the shade obstructs the driver’s rear visibility, presenting a potential safety hazard

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
May 2025

Inside driver door rivets broke preventing door closing and latch is flopping inside door

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2025
Feb 2025

In August 2025, the plastic cover in between the two pieces of glass on the panoramic sunroof unknowingly fell off when the shade liner was closed due to ineffective glue/sticky tabs that failed to keep the plastic cover on safely. When I went to open the liner, the plastic cover got trapped in the shade/roller housing, broke, and then the shade got completely sucked up into the housing where I can’t get it back out. Quotes to fix this range in the thousands of dollars due to the intensive labor replacing the shade requires. I have seen this happen to multiple owners, especially on the 2020 model. There is a video on YouTube describing this issue with over 6,000 views. Many in the comments also describe having their shade roller being completely damaged and spending thousands of dollars to fix it. There was no warning that the plastic cover was failing to hold up and no alert once it has fallen off. There was no safety mechanism in place to prevent the shade from being rolled.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2025
Dec 2024

2020 Ford Escape. Front driver door made a lot of creaking noise, hard to open and close, couldn't roll window down because hinge had broken was loose in door. Discussed with Mel Hamilton Ford, Wichita KS, while it was there getting another issue addressed. Said it was not covered under warranty. Just a couple thousand over 36,000. Door popping and creaking began before the 36,000 mile warranty had expired. It was in and out of shop to get another issued figured out. Took to Lubber Ford in Cheney KS and they said the weld was broken took hinge out of door. I took to a body shop, said it can't be fixed needs entire door replaced for $3000.00. Ford knows it's a problem, they offered to pay $1200 of a $3,000 fix. Ford needs to replace door at full cost since they issued a Technical Service Bulletin in Sept. 2021. My Escape was still under warranty and had been at the dealership many many times for other issues and no one mentioned the door problem until I had it at Lubbers.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2024
Dec 2024

Opened the driver's door and heard a crunching sound and the door could not be opened all the way. Along with that the rear back window would not close and the driver's window went up slowly. Went to the dealership and they say it is a known problem, but they don't have any recalls about them so out of pocket it would cost me upwards of 2000 for the window regulators and 5,000 to replace the door which is a known problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2024
Apr 2024

The drivers door has a loud popping cracking like the door is going to break. It won’t shut properly. This is the 2020 escape.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2024
Apr 2024

The piece that keeps my driver side door from opening to the point of breaking has broken from the door, and in turn is preventing my driver side window from opening/closing. The cause of this problem is that the solder came loose from the inside of the door. If the wind catches my door, I risk the chance of it buckling at the hinge of the driver door. I have taken it to the dealership in my area and they have reported it to Ford, who states that they are aware of the problem and are trying to find a solution. I am being told that it is going to be a recall, but it is not ready yet? It has been this way for almost 2 months. I took it to the dealership the first time on 3/5/24. Still nothing. This is unacceptable. If anything they can put on a new door. Something needs to be done. They tried to get me to trade it in...I cannot afford that! The date below is approximate, it was around then that I noticed, but it started making a noise when I opened/closed the door for about a week before I called dealership about the problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Apr 2024

The Spot Weld on the Driver side door is broke. based on information read this is an issue on this vehicle where the hinge breaks where the spot weld is suppose to hold. Has to be replaced and cost is $2400. Dealership said they have repaired a lot of these doors/Hinges. Asking to pay $2400 on an issue that Ford knows. They have a notice 50150 fro NHTSA that it is a known issue . Looking to help in reimbursing . per the site--- the spot welds' failure in the door's arm. In interviews with owners, NHTSA learned of 25 "minor injuries" and 1 report of "minor property damage." Some people have reported a popping noise when the door comes open and say that the door can be unable to latch when closed or can suddenly come open when it had been closed. According to the safety agency's investigation document, the problem is believed to be faulty spot welds in the check arm attachment points on the doors.As one example, an owner reported to NHTSA that "The driver side front door made a creaking sound, could not be opened, and the window would not go down. The internal weld to the door failed."

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2024
Feb 2024

The left-hand side on the door all automatically just stopped working properly. It makes a popping cracking noise when you open the door all the way. The car is a 2020 it is under 40,000 miles. The window does not roll down all the way due this malfunction. It’s been going on for a while and the car dealership says that i am responsible for paying for it even though it’s a defect. It should be under warranty from Ford. It’s a mechanical issue. The door should open and close properly if I have never been in an accident. I have had many problems with this car since i bought it brand new such as getting new brakes at 1000 miles (they claim because the car was sitting there), a new reservoir because of the windshield wiper fluid was leaking, my headlamp needed to be fixed amongst other things. I feel like this car was a lemon that was sold to me.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2024
Jan 2024

I OWN A 2020 FORD ESCAPE. The Driver's Front Door started making a loud popping sound when opened and then it wouldn't close all of the way. It was hard to close but finally did. It kept making the popping noise louder every time it was opened and shut. Then, the Driver's Front Window failed to go down more than an inch and a half to two inches. It wouldn't roll up every time it was rolled down the couple of inches either. I took it to Mike White Ford Dealership in Coeur d'Alene, ID where I was informed that the welds on the control arm of the Driver's Door had failed and broken so the car needed to go to a body shop to be repaired. The dealership said that none of this is covered by my warranties.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2024
Jan 2024

The driver and passenger only open all the way now. When the doors are opened it sounds like they are breaking or going to fall off. It is the mechanism that holds the door to the car when the doors are open.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Dec 2023

Driver side door suddenly began making loud creaking and popping noise when opening and closing. The driver side window also will not let all the way down since the noises started. Took it to the Ford dealership advised it was the door check assembly that was broke and they order the part. Took it to a 3rd party to have it put on and they advised that there was a failure with the spot welds in the check arm bracket on the the front door. Bracket has pulled out of the front driver's side door. Also advised this is why the window will only let down a little bit. Call the dealership and they advised that the door panel was not taken off so they would of not been able to see the spot welds provided Ford Company# called and stated that they was not a warranty on the vehicle and that there was nothing they could do at this time and provided case# CXH01214372. The cheapest estimate I have received so far to fix this issue is approximately 2,200.00 which I do not have please issue a recall on this issue

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2023
Dec 2023

Bought my daughter a 2020 Ford Escape. Last week, while at college, she called to say her door was making loud sounds when opening and shutting it and her window wouldn't roll down. Concerned that the door wouldn't stay shut I had her go to the Ford dealership in her college town. They told her they have seen two other Ford Escapes this week with the same issue and that she would probably need a new door. I called my local dealership and was basically told the same thing. They knew exactly what I was talking about before I started in 4-5 sentences. When she got home I went to look at the door. It swings open with no resistance and the window doesn't roll down. Upon further investigating from my local repair shop he helped me look up the problem. It is SSM 50150 -Cracked or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. I have a major concern with safety on this issue. How do I get Ford to correct this issue?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2023
Dec 2023

On May 30th my driver's side door hinge broke and arm fell inside the door, my Ford dealership ordered new door, due to not being able to make repairs, still waiting on 1st door, then on June 27th the passenger front door did the same exact thing, only this time door would not close, had to go to dealership while my wife had to hold door because it was open, we are both elderly and this is dangerous . I contacted Ford relations and because I am barely over the 36,000 miles they said they cannot repair either of the doors..please help..there needs to be a recall under this. I see alot of people filing complaints. Look under SSM50150, THIS IS AN ONGOING, very dangerous problem. Ford needs to be responsible!! It is a flaw in manufacturing , how this happened to both doors within a month of each other..please help.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2023
Oct 2023

right side driver door hinge is making noise when opened. It is beginning to not unlock when i am entering car. i have to go to passenger side to unlock. I am unable to operate window (up/down) fully. I have taken this to dealer and have been told by their body department that this is an issue that they have seen in on other escapes. Have been advised to not put window down. They are looking into this and will call me but have heard nothing since - 3 weeks. I am afraid that this door will break loose or that I will be unable to get into my car and be stranded somewhere. I am unable to get this fixed and obviously can't trade it as it is a known issue and dangerous. PLEASE RECALL THIS AND HAVE FORD OFFER TEMPORARY VEHICLES UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. i AM A [XXX] LADY WITH NO SAFE TRANSPORTATION! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Oct 2023

Drivers door spot welds damaged. Door creeks, window does not go down.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Oct 2023

Cracks or broken spot welds in the passenger front door at the check arm attachment point in the door. Door check broke off from door causing the door to be hard to close or not able to close at all.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2023
Oct 2023

At about 30,000k miles, began to hear a creak/pop sound when opening and closing the front d/s door. This past weekend, at about 30,075 miles, there was a loud noise when opening and closing the door, and noted that 3 spot welds appear to have popped and pulled through the sheet metal. These held the safety 'check arm' in place inside the door. In researching the matter, I located that you already have this noted (SSM 50150) on vehicles with high usage profiles. I am a regular driver. This is NOT a fleet vehicle. I'm lucky in that the car is under warranty and will hopefully be repaired with zero costs, HOWEVER, this is nothing that any Ford Escape owner should have to deal with, at all, through the LIFE of the vehicle. Furthermore, the same spot welds and check arm apparatus appears to be used on the other car doors, so my guess is that this too can pose an issue. Ford should honor these repairs well beyond any bumper to bumper warranty period, as well as disclose IF the replacement door is using an improved weld or fastening system. ***!!! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE because without the arm check functioning properly the door can fly into passing or oncoming traffic unexpectedly, causing injury to the driver of the Escape and/or any oncoming vehicle that slams into said failing door assembly which could result in the loss of control of their vehicle!!! *** My car is in the shop now where I hope this will be part of a covered claim to document. Apparently, I may have to wait months for new front door assembly.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2023

The driver side door hinge has separated/ broken away from the door frame. The damage has also caused internal issues with the working mechanisms inside the door such as the window not going down fully.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2023
Sep 2023

heard a small popping noise when i opened the door. the next day i heard a louder pop and the driver door no longer would hold open. the door check bracket separated from the door.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2023
Sep 2023 Injury

My drivers door arm receptor has broken free of its spot weld inside the door, causing severe safety issues. [see Car and Driver article BY ALESSANDRA KAESTNER PUBLISHED: JUL 14, 2023] Same issue. This happened to me today 09/20/2023. * I cannot fully open drivers window because of this defect. Major safety issue if my vehicle goes into water. * I cannot open the door from outside, if locked. Major issue to persons with disabilities who can't climb across the console or back seats. I pulled a leg muscle today doing so. My back hurts also. Ford spot-welded the door arm receptor on a piece of metal that is too thin to provide support. <I PICTURES IF NEEDED> This is enough for a recall. When will you do this? What is taking so long? Already tired of not being able to use drive thru because my window will not lower. A major inconvenience.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2023
Aug 2023

The driver's side door made popping or cracking noises when opening and closing. It eventually locked in place while open, and it could not be closed. I took it to the dealer where they initially said that the check strap needed to be replaced. After the part arrived and they disassembled the door, it was discovered that the welds on the component that holds the check strap in place were broken. The car was moved to the body/collision shop for further assessment. In the meantime, I've discovered this has happened with several other 2020 Escapes, but there is no recall as of yet. Obviously, this is a manufacturer defect that needs to be addressed in a more global and urgent manner.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2023
Jul 2023

Some 2020-2021 Escape vehicles may exhibit cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly. My door started making a lot of noise when opening it and closing it. Now I can only open my door to a certain degree and and cannot open it all of the way. My window now is not working properly so I can't open it without it getting stuck halfway down. Is very hard to close the window.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2023
Jun 2023

Door guide hinge failed where the guide hinge is "welded" (glued) to the internal frame of the door, causing the door to sometimes not to close, window to stop lowering, and inoperable lock. Shockingly not covered under warranty

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2023
Jun 2023

The drivers door made a loud pop when opening and it is now difficult to close and to open. it scrapes and pops out of place along the hinge and on the inside of the door. at one time it was not shutting at all. Hopefully it will not do this again, but something is broken. I was travelling when this happened with a passenger in my car and if m y door would not have shut at all i was far away from home and it would have been a huge inconvenience! I took my car to the dealer i bought it from in my town and he took a video of the noise it makes and the difficulty shutting and opening. He then called me the next day after talking to the techs that they are aware of this happening to some of the Escapes and i will have to seek a private shop to get a new door as he says this is not covered under warranty. This is preposterous and i cannot believe there is not a recall on this issue after i have read about this issue online and it is happening often. There was no warning, just a pop and immediately problems getting the door open and closed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2023

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2020 Ford Escape has 34 STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.