2020 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 58owner reports
- 74,000median miles
- $1,200median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
413 of the 1,602 complaints on this car are about the engine. 58 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 58 reports
Misfire on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the injectors (7 reports), the catalytic converter (4 reports), the sensor (4 reports) and the spark plugs (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
11 recalls on the engine cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Insufficient welds inside the high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power.
The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.
The Body Control Module (BCM) intermittently may not pick up the signal from the rear Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors or the Remote Key Fob.
All 23 recalls on the 2020 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Escape
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Healey brothers ford / open recall sale. Open.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 27, 2024.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 21, 2013.
Engine stalling. Closed aug 31, 2004.
Engine stalling. Closed apr 15, 2004, led to recall 04V-165.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 10, 2002.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
What owners paid
6 of the 58 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $410 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 48,000 and 90,181 miles, from the 32 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 24 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2020-2026 Escape and 2021-2026 Corsair vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine may exhibit a fuel door that won't open with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04CA stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
In some of the affected vehicles, after safety recall 23S27 has been performed, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate and store Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P1061 and/or P032F.
Some 2020-2022 Escape built and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles, built on or before 28-Sep-2022, equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine and a 8F35 transmission may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 ...
20 more on the 2020 Ford Escape page.
What owners wrote
“My car hesitates when driving forward from a stop and the rpm's jump up and down. It almost stalls when going up a steep hill. I have to leave it running when filling it up or it is very hard to start and sometimes will stall after starting. Check engine light is on and tire sensor light is on. The sound system doesn't work. Have read online about a lot of people having the same problems with their car.”
Filed Oct 17, 2025
“I have a recall been having this problem for months told them what was going on they said nothing was wrong. Months later recall got called for the fuel injector and replacement of high fuel injectors im a single mother. Check engine came on when I gas it..it won't go or goes slowly then takes off into gear”
Filed Jul 25, 2025
“Check engine light came on and car died at stop sign and wouldnât restart. This happened multiple times after filling up car with gas. I took it to my dealership and they said it was the purge valve. I think should have been covered under warranty.”
Filed Jul 18, 2025
“Premature failure of valve cover gasket and transmission. Valve cover gasket allowing oil to seep in to spark plug âtubesâ causing misfires. Transmission showing excessive wear for only 72000 miles.”
Filed Jun 11, 2024 · 72,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 58 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 70 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 63 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 61 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 55 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 42 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 42 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 28 reports