132 of the
2,267 complaints filed about the Ford Escape Hybrid
are about the other systems —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2020.
I went to [XXX] for the weekend, and on Sunday XXX I just left a restaurant and my car was parked on the street. As I left I was driving down a one way public street. I thought I hit a parked car to my right because I heard a noise that sounding like I hit something. I looked in the mirror and saw I was far from the parked cars and kept going. I went about a mile more and parked, and when I got out of the vehicle my friend/passenger said what happened to your car? and the passenger side top cover of my tailgate was missing. I told him I had a safety recall with ford and they fixed it earlier this year, but when looked at the remaining clip, it was just a square piece of Velcro showing. Cover was gone. It was there in the morning when we left the hotel and put our luggage in the rear liftgate cargo hold. Note; The day prior I was driving 2 and a half miles from [XXX] to [XXX] on the XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After picking my vehicle up from a day and a half of recall repairs, I immediately experienced a rubbing sound and a shuddering when I turned my wheels to the right and moved forward as I attempted to drive away from the parking space. There were no issues when turning the wheels to the left to back out of the parking space. I immediately pulled into the service bay to report the problem. A maintenance tech came out and asked to drive it. When the vehicle was returned, I was told they felt it was the rear differential but would need to schedule another appointment so they could listen to it more, at a cost of $130 to diagnose. I researched this issue and found out that a recall has been issued for a different lot of VINs for 2021 Ford Escapes for this same issue due to installation errors or incorrect lubrication.
NHTSA complaint #11750868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The panoramic sunroof cover, it is available for inspection upon request my safety was jeopardized while driving my car at the time, the problem has not been reproduced, but it has been confirmed by dealer the Ford dealer told me that it would cost me $2000 plus a $200 labor fee to get it repaired and I did tell him that I had looked on a site and saw that this happened happened to a lot of Ford escape buyers. There weren’t any warnings as I was driving, and I pushed the button to open up the sunroof. The cover just flapped and went all the way back as I was driving and came off of the track and the black plastic part that’s in the middle fell down and I could never get that to stick back up again. I first noticed when I would have my sunroof slanted. I never would open it all the way, but just slanted. I would hear a rattling noise so I would close it and I opened my sunroof all the way up twice and the third time when I decided to open it all the way up while I was driving that’s when the whole thing just fell, fell the middle black part and the cover while I was driving and it scared the daylights out of me while I was driving on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11747278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Panoramic Sunroof Drip Molding will not stay attached. When it falls, it can rip the sunshade causing it to hang down from the roof and block the drivers rear vision. The glue pads that are provided with the molding does not last long and it causes the molding to rattle with every bump as it starts failing. THE RIPPED SUNSCREEN HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY CAR, BUT THE MOLDING PIECE DOES KEEP FALLING OFF...NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF ADHESIVE I USE!
NHTSA complaint #11680033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Water in the cab. Found online a few others have posted about clogged ac drip line. By the time you find it, your carpet is ruined. Have not Been able to locate the drip line.
NHTSA complaint #11677005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The display screen goes black and freezes for long periods and during navigation use; Reverse camera is black or doesn't display; FordPass doesn't connect
NHTSA complaint #11676262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There was a clunking sound when I opened the sun roof. Later when we closed the sun shade, it seems to be hesitating. The next time we opened the sun shade, it seems to be catching. As I drove there was a sliding sound that we finally identified as coming from the sunroof. Something could be seen from the sunshade: an outline of something that continued to slide around in all directions. I looked it up on the internet, concerned about what it could be and discovered that there have been 2021 Escapes with the panoramic sunroof that have a manufacturing defect resulting in poor adhesion of the fixed glass panel and/or front panel to the roof frame. There was a warning that The roof panel or front panel could detach from the vehicle while driving. Detachment could result in injury or death to road users. It can also lead to water leaks and wind noise which it links to the drip rails. I am concerned that this item sliding around is going to tear the headliner and fall on me or a passenger and am not sure it IS a drip rail.
NHTSA complaint #11669806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ear piercing sound coming from what appears to be the stereo speaker system. It was so loud it felt like it blew out my ear drums by the time I got it turned off. Days later my ears are still ringing with intermittent headaches. I have scheduled a warranty service with the local ford dealership. There was no warning and started as soon as I started the car. No one has inspected the vehicle. This took place on 6/14/2025.
NHTSA complaint #11667568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bad battery. Yes, the dealership did replace the 12V battery, however since I do not drive often, and not 60 miles a day. I was advised to install a battery maintainer, which I should have been told at the time of purchase. However, how inconvenient as I will have a power cord in the driveway, and I would have to connect and disconnect the battery maintainer, which to me is a safety issue. I see online Ford has had these problems with their battery. Is Ford doing anything about this problem to ensure this type of problem is fixed? I purchased a new vehicle so I would not have problems.
NHTSA complaint #11662421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
About 2 weeks ago our 2024 Escape had a back-up camera freeze event just like was happening on our 2023 Ford Maverick. The Maverick had a recall for the problem but as of now no recall yet listed for the Escape having the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11659524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I recently found out through a Ford dealer that there was a recall on the door on my Ford escape. I never received anything in the mail. I had the issue fixed by my local mechanic and he used Ford parts. I would like A reimbursement.
NHTSA complaint #11648987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
From the Ford website: "Power window switch chrome tip replacement Campaign/NHTSA# 22N17 Issue Date 2023-05-16" The tips peeled off and I get cuts on my fingers. Ford dealership, Golf Mill Ford in Niles IL, informed me this is a VIN specific issue and I needed to file this claim. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11648468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The sunroof cover came down and blocked my rear visibility. It took a few attempts to get the cover back up because I need to see what is behind me for safety purposes. Then, when I was sesrching online for the solution, I realized a lot of people with 2020 - 2022 Ford Escapes were also having issues with the sunroof cover. It is quite dangerous for it to fall.
NHTSA complaint #11639520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Popping sound coming under body around gas tank and hybrid battery. Dealerships knows the problem but has not come up a solution to resolve it. They know it’s most common problem with 2020 to 2024 models. The noise is big deal that u can hear it over the radio. I fear that will fall off and cause accidents or hurt someone’s. The problem start when you go past 35 miles hour or more.
NHTSA complaint #11632590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car has a panoramic roof with automatic open/close sunshade that cover the interior of the glass. I was opening the sunshade to open the moon roof and the shade all of the suden came down and did not roll as intended and my visibility while I was driving was gone for a second until my wife helped out quickly so we do not crash. The problem is common for this car in the ford forums online and the dealerships are not concerend or applying any responsbility of the problem and the safety of it. there was no message or warning but it put myself and my family in danger. I went and got it inspected by the dealership but they did not take responsibilty.
NHTSA complaint #11630667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parked car in garage on saturday like normally done for 3+ years. Next thing, car is completely unresponsive. Will not start, honk doesnt work, no lights nothing. If this happened in the middle of the road (and it has happened to other drivers), its a safety issue. Tried jump starting, nothing works.
NHTSA complaint #11618658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whenever I shut off my 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid or when I am about to turn it on, a message appears on the touchscreen that says: "System off to save battery, please turn ignition off or start engine." I have replaced the battery but I get the same error message. When I took the car to Firestone, they performed a Diagnostic which did not indicate that there was anything wrong with the battery. When I spoke to a Hybrid Battery Specialist, he told me that the error message was for my "12 volt battery. It is a fairly common problem with your Escape. The Ford dealership may have a fix for it. It is possible that you just need to replace the 12 volt battery." My local Ford Dealership did not have a fix for it. Since this is a fairly common problem with the Ford Escape, I think a recall should be issued to have Ford rectify the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11617837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunroof internal protective part lost its adhesion and fell while driving. Sunroof fabric came loose causing the sunroof to malfunction potentially causing more damage if you try to use it.
NHTSA complaint #11617450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.