NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening and closing the front driver's side door, the door made an abnormally loud popping sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the welding inside the door was fractured. The dealer determined that the door needed to be replaced and provided the contact a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 31,780.
Premature failure of the moonroof shade dropping down or sagging from the track it is seated in, causing driver visibility issues and noise issues.
Driver side door check arm sounds broken. Opened driver side door picking up dinner and it made loud popping cracking sound then felt like it dropped off hinge some so I lifted up quickly to close door. It’s not latching properly. Inable to operate driver side window as I tried to roll window to check mail and it made a sound and stopped about half way so I pushed up and rolled it back up. Afraid to open door in the morning.
The passenger front door middle hinge broke from inside the door. There are numerous online articles of this happening and causing costly repairs of the entire door instead of just the hinge, which is Ford’s solution. Two days ago I noticed a creaking noise and thought I should spray wd40 and when I went to open my door to do this, there was a POP! And now the hinge can be moved up and down and it is also affecting the window, the window can’t be rolled down. If there’s an accident, this could cause someone not to be able to get out. This needs to be on ford to fix. There were no warnings of this. I can’t take pictures of the issue without ripping my door apart and I’m not a mechanic.
Drivers door hinge stop bracket spot welds broke causing popping and cracking noise when opening and closing door. Window only goes down a few inches. Door won't close sometimes without several tries
Problems with the driver side door. Purchased car brand new. Currently has 25k miles (roughly). My 3-36k mile warranty ended 10/23. My door is making creaking snapping popping noises and the window Won't go down. I'm concerned the door won't open or worse snap and fall off while driving. I feel I have to hold the door while driving which is not safe. . I have to drive this car for work, I work in the field and need the car to go from location to location throughout the day. . I took it to the dealer garage. The conversation went along the lines, the door arm welds are bad and the garage mentioned they had 5 cars recently with the same problem. They said it was covered and then the door would have to be replaced. They (service dept) sent it over to the body shop stating it was too long of a job for service dept to do. I waited 2 weeks and went down to check on status. The body shop said it wasn't covered and it would be $2400 to replace the door. Contacted Ford about the letter that's supposedly to come out to owners with this problem 2020 escape and they know nothing about it. I reached out to another dealer in the area and they are very aware of problem with the escape door but they know nothing about Fords customer satisfaction program regarding the door. Very concerned the car door is unsafe.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The contact replaced the radiator cap; however, the failure recurred, and coolant was added. The contact stated that approximately 2 gallons of coolant was added. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229, however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, the vehicle failed to exceed 18 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel pump, fuel rail, and the battery; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000.
UNKNOWN: I have a 2020 Ford Escape with a driver door "hinge arm" that has disconnected due to failed spot welds. The drivers window now does not operate.
Driver side door check hinge? started making loud popping noises. 2 days later the door wont close at all. Went to Ford Dealer and they were like warranty expired could be between 400 and 1200 dollars to fix. Again door stuck open and they finally get it closed and tell me to be careful and not open it all the way but if the arm breaks off the door could open on its own while the car is moving. After getting the door closed, they said theyd be in touch with options and costs. Unreal that this is not a safety concern for Ford.
- The check arm attachment point in the door assembly on the driver's side door. The spot welds holding the attachment to the door have broken. It is available for inspection at request. - It's a safety issue because the door no longer is able to catch itself presenting the possibility of the door being "ripped" from our hand if the wind would catch it potentially causing harm. Also, it's unknown whether the door will eventually be unable to latch presenting an even bigger problem if the door would open while traveling. - The local dealership is fully aware of the issue at hand reassuring me that this is indeed an issue. There is even a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) - SSM 50150 issued displaying the issue at hand. - The "fix" the dealership collision center has told me is a complete door replacement with a cost of $3,000 or more.
All 3 welds that hold the drivers front door check arm failed over the course of a day. When travelling with the car I observed some strange creaking/cracking sounds when opening or closing the door, and within a day I found that the door was difficult to close and latch. I looked at the hinges, and notices 3 holes where the welds were, and the check arm moving inside the door. The safety issue is its difficult/impossible to close and latch the door, and difficult to make sure the door is actually latched and stays latched. The door has opened while driving, and I'm not sure if this is due to not being able to close it all the way or of the loose check arm is breaking other parts inside the door. The power window no longer works because the loose check arm appears to be blocking it or has destroyed those components. The dealer inspected the issue, and claimed that they have seen many cars with the same defective door welds. They claimed the door would have to be replaced and repainted though this work hasn't been completed yet. According to the dealer though this is a safety issue and 100% a manufacturing defect that Ford is well aware of they are forcing customers to pay for the repairs. This has not been inspected by police or insurance since it is a manufacturing defect and not related to an accident. This has only been an issue for a day, but if an accident, injury or death results from the door flying open while driving I will contact the police, insurance, and get legal representation. No warning lamps or symptoms prior to failure. I opened and closed the door less than 5 times after the first odd noise to when all the door welds failed.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening and closing the driver's side door, there was an abnormally loud banging sound heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
The driver side front door is making a popping sound when opening and closing. Rusty Eck for says this is a known issue but are refusing to repair without us paying for it. I see that 346000 autos are potentially affected, why is there not a recall?
The passenger door hinge made a large noise and was unable to close without extreme force. It was a safety issue as the car function and hinge mechanism failed. The dealer turned me away as they do not "weld" and referred me to a body shop. Yes, my independent auto service stated that the Door Stay and Mounting Bracket three small welds broke off. They were unable to re attach door properly as they do not weld. They noted the drivers side door is also starting to loosen. This is another safety concern.
My left side door. The door is making a popping/cracking noise the window won’t go down because the welding broke off
The passenger door start making a creaking/popping sound. Within the last week, it started to get louder and louder because the spot weld around the door check arm had completely broken. I took it to the dealership I purchased it from and ford denied assistance with my issue. They recommended I pay a body shop to fix it.
The driver's door suddenly became hard to open and close and makes loud noise when doing so. The door does not sound like it is closing well which is a huge concern. I took it to dealer and they knew immediately what the problem is as it's a known issue documented by Ford "SSM 50150 - 2020-2021 Escape - Cracked Or Broken Spot Welds In The Left Front Door At The Check Arm Attachment Points In The Door Assembly". They gave a quote of $3,200 to replace and repair. It is not covered as my car has 39,000 miles and warranty expired at 36,000 miles. I DON'T BELIEVE MILEAGE SHOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH DOOR FAILURE!!! Ford Motor should step up and fix this known issue - it is a manufacturing defect that welds are failing
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power train warning light illuminated, and the "AWD Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred approximately a year later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,804.
The contact's husband owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was opening the driver's side door, there was an abnormal sound coming from the door. The contact stated that the door failed to close properly. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was an eight-inch opening in the door. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed him the door and the bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer, who opened a case and covered the repairs under the warranty coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 24,400.
Consistent metallic cracking noise heard when opening side door. I cannot completely open the door without the door making this noise and it feels like the door could come off at ant time…..I have to gingerly open the door on entering or exiting the vehicle. Also, the Driver side window does not completely go up and down when door is closed. Dealer diagnosed issue as: BY001 DOOR HINGE BROKEN/DAMAGED. WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BY BODY SHOP. DAMAGE HINGE IS PUSHING INTO DOOR FRAME MESSING WITH WINDOW MECHANICS. The mileage is only at 37,835 and has only been driven for commuting to work/home, grocery shopping and very few leisure trips. It has not been in any accident or abused in any way.
When closing the driver's side front door, an audible clicking sound was heard. When opening the door at my destination, some mechanism inside the door failed. I was unable to close the door all the way. I immediately drove to the Ford dealership service department, holding the door as closed as it would go (about a 12 inch gap). I have been waiting for two weeks for the repair to even be begun.
The driver-side door makes a very loud popping and grinding noise. While driving the vehicle approached a stop like the door suddenly opened while in motion. I took the vehicle to the dealership which told me it was the spot welds in the driver's door and that it would need to be replaced. The vehicle is at 41670 miles and is no longer under warranty. Ford is refusing to cover the repair and will not offer any assistance with helping to offset the cost of the vehicle repair. The vehicle is unsafe to drive as the door can open while in motion due to the weld failures. No warning lamps came on when the incident occurred to indicate that the door was open at any time.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's side door made an abnormal popping sound while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the driver's side door check arm attachment point had failed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was later referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.
one day suddenly with no warning or alerts, or messages of the problem to alert me, the driver's door began making horrible noises when opening or shutting. I have extended warranty and contacted them, took it to the Ford dealership for inspection where it was determined the internal welds in door are broken, also causing problems with the electric window of that door. the window will only go down about an inch or so and the entire door needs to be replaced which is not covered under the warranty and I'm told it needs to go to a body shop to replace the door!
Driver door popping and won’t shut. Welds broke off the hinge
Had Driver Front door welds broke on the inside of the door about one year ago and now the passenger front door has the same issue
Drivers side inside door welds have broken loose at catch arm attachment. Related to Ford TSB SSM 50150. Car bought used 1/6/2024 but previously used as a rental in another state. Car has approximately 64,500 miles. Door failure occurred 1/19/2024. Bought from out of town dealer and inspected by local Ford dealer who verified issue. No prior signs leading up to the failure. Neither dealer agrees to repair without charge.
Spot welds on the door check arm bracket have broken on the driver's side front door. The arm is still attached to the pillar, but is no longer attached to the door itself. This is also preventing the window from rolling down fully.
Drivers side door started to make a loud popping sound and the window stopped rolling down. Every time the drivers side door opens it flings wide open because there’s nothing to keep it in place. Took the car to the dealership it was purchased at and was told that the ford escape has that issue with a faulty weld on the check arm causing it to break completely off with no way to repair it.
Left front door hinge arm broke because of a failed weld. Dealer says it’s not covered and I have to pay for full door replacment.
AWD Module failed, deactivated all traction control, all wheel drive, pre-collision alert, emergency breaking. Module failure is known issue to Ford
The driver side door check arm is broken, affecting the driver side window. It is a know issue with this vehicle make and model, but Ford will not pay to fix it.
The driver side door of my 2020 Ford Escape is making a popping noise as the door opens and closes. I have researched that this may be caused by cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact started the vehicle, and the power train malfunction indicator lamp warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed gear shifter module. The contact was informed that the gear shifter module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while opening the driver’s side door, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the door. The failure persisted and the driver’s side door hinge sheared off. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the front driver’s side door spot welds had failed. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to a body shop for assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The door hinge on the driver side of my 2020 Ford escape snapped causing damage to my window. The spot welds broke. Even though Ford is aware that this is an ongoing problem with this make and model and I pay for an extended warranty. They refused to cover this and are telling me I have to pay for it out of pocket. This door hinge broke about a month ago and I called Ford and they told me that they would not cover it at all. I even called corporate office for Ford and they told me they would not cover it upon bringing my vehicle to formula Ford in Rutland Vermont to have inspected. They refuse to inspect my car, took it to a body shop to have an estimate provided to me and said that they might be able to have Ford cover it upon getting the estimate and contacting ford They refused to pay for it repair and will not inspect my car . I feel that this is unfair since it’s nothing I did to break this door. It’s just really crappy craftsmanship.
The problem appears to be related to defective spot welds at the check arm attachment point on left driver door. The window doesn't go down and the door doesn't shut all the way. Needs to be a recall ASAP before more accidents happen to everyday citizens!
Driver's door check arm spot weld broke. There is a technical service bulletin on this issue but Ford will not cover it because I am out of warranty time wise...vehicle only has 27,000 miles on it. I have been climbing in and out on the passenger side of the vehicle because I am worried that the door will not close or will not stay closed as I am driving. My window is also not operating correctly because of this issue.
The weld that holds the control arm for the front driver side door has broken.
Driver's side door hinge is loose, making cracking sounds and hard to close. Also affecting the window operation - doesn't allow window to be rolled up.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door failed to open and close as needed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to a body shop to have the door serviced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they discovered that the spot weld inside the door was defective, and the door needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 28,400.
Drivers side Front door pops when you open or close it drivers side window won’t let down all the way lift gate doesn’t work most of the time but the most scary issue is riding down the road radio screen will read turn engine on or shut off to save battery this car is only 3 years old I shouldn’t have these kind of issues
Tire pressure monitoring system would go out them come back them go out and now not working at all.
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.
The driver's side door hinge/arm is broken. Sometimes the door cannot shut, sometimes it is very difficult to open. If this is the same issue as that reported by car and driver [XXX], then whoever drives the car could be at risk of the door coming open while the car is in motion. I took the car to my local Ford Dealer/Repair shop today. They said it isn't an issue they can handle: I have to take it to a body shop. I've taken it to 2 body shops. One believes the door must be replaced (for $3,900) and the other thinks he can fix it without replacing the door. The problem first started as a sound like plastic getting caught. Then it worsened (the weather here got worse as well-- down to -25). When the door was hard to open, I pushed it harder and then I started getting metal against metal noises. There were no warning lights on the dashboard at all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The drivers side door started to have a creaking sound and became difficult to open and close. The window was also hard to open, so I stopped and quickly put it back up. I informed the dealer and they told me they are aware of the problem but Ford isn’t covering it under warranty’s. I am currently still driving the vehicle because I have no other and am just very careful how far I open the door and I’m unable to use the window.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the front driver's side door, the door made an abnormally loud popping sound. Additionally, the door failed to open completely, and the window failed to roll down completely. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Left front door check came unwelded from inside door panel causing door to not open and close properly. Left window would not work. Holes in door frame where hinges pulled out.
Heard a cracking or popping when opening or closing front driver side door. Took our 2020 Ford Escape to Authorized Ford Dealership for routine service. While the vehicle was at the dealership we were told that the front drivers door would not close shut. The technician managed to "jimmy rig" the door to get it to close. The door temporary closes but now the drivers window will not operate. Was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealership owner's body shop but due to the mileage on the vehicle it was not recovered under warranty. At the body shop we were asked if the car had been in an accident or if a strong wind had blown on the door. Neither applied. The car has not been in a single accident nor a strong wind pulled or pushed on the door. Was told that we would incur a cost of nearly $3,000, because the whole door would need to be replaced. Was told again that this was not covered by factory warranty. On the estimate from the body shop they listed "t-boned" as reason for damage. We reached out to our extended warranty and they wanted to talk to the body shop but the body shop refuses to work with the warranty company and only speak with our auto insurance. We are in the process of looking for another body shop that might reach out to the warranty company to see if there is any chance this is covered. We contacted Ford Motor Company Customer Service and was told that there is not a recall on the defect and there was nothing they could do. Research on the internet shows that this is not an isolated incident as it relates to the 2020 Ford Escape.