RoadVitals

2020 Ford Escape PHEV

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Nov 28, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 14, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2020 Ford Escape PHEV. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V789000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Nov 14, 2025
20,558 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
The risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM), free of charge. Owners are advised to only use "Auto EV" mode and will be instructed by mail to limit the maximum charge of the battery until the remedy has been completed. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, and instructions to limit the maximum charge of the battery were mailed December 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC4. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V954 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 18, 2025.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25SC4View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Nov 28, 2021

Ruido en la parte frontal cuando manejo en cuidad, se llevó al dealer y no pueden precisar cual es el problema, solo me mencionaron que no tienen nada que ver con algo suelto ni nada que vaya a afectar la seguridad. No pidieron dejar la unidad para evaluación pero me dejan sin carro por varias semanas porque tienen demasiados vehículos en turno. No acepte porque no puedo quedarme sin vehículo por tantos días y tampoco me ofrecieron otro vehículo por el tiempo que tome la evaluación y reparar el problema. El plástico que cubre la bolsa de aire de la parte de atrás pasajero detrás del conductor se está saliendo. No se cuanto tiempo lleva así pero no se ve bien y no se si tenga algún efecto en la seguridad de la bolsa de aire.

NHTSA ID
11441843
Incident
May 1, 2021

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Escape PHEV by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025310—
2024420—
2023102054.8
2022782044.3
2021201037.1
2020Viewing110—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.