FaultScore

2020 Ford Escape window and wiper problems

65 of the 2,104 complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 28,500 miles.

A

65

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Visibility/Wiper 41 63.1%
Visibility 9 13.8%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 7 10.8%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 4 6.2%
Windshield 1 1.5%
Glass, Side/Rear 1 1.5%
Compressor 1 1.5%
AIR Handler/Chamber, Ducts, AND Valves 1 1.5%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Escape year

2001 37 6.3%
2002 36 6.1%
2004 17 2.9%
2005 40 6.8%
2006 22 3.7%
2007 11 1.9%
2008 32 5.4%
2009 13 2.2%
2010 94 15.9%
2011 47 8.0%
2012 20 3.4%
2013 40 6.8%
2014 27 4.6%
2015 20 3.4%
2016 21 3.6%
2017 14 2.4%
2018 13 2.2%
2020 65 11.0%
2021 22 3.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Tomball, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The panoramic sunshade does not work & also droops down.

NHTSA complaint #11755388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsville, TN

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after the dealer performed an unknown recall repair on the front driver’s side door, the failure occurred. The contact stated that the front driver’s side window intermittently failed to roll up or roll down and made a squeaking sound while operating. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the front driver’s side door motor needed to be replaced, and the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11754423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Xenia, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Two open recalls that have not been addressed by Ford.

NHTSA complaint #11752713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Freeland, MI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

While driving intermittent wipers started. After only 4-5 inches in motion, they began stuttering until reaching about ¾ of the full elevation. At that point they stalled. I turned them on, which made no change. When turning off, they returned to the lowered or of position. If it had been raining, my visibility would have been severely impacted. This action continues after 3 days. I learned there is an issued recall for this issue in the same year/make/model, but my VIN / vehicle is not yet covered.

NHTSA complaint #11751210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles New Britain, CT

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that part on the moon roof had detached, preventing the moon roof from closing properly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the dealer stated that the top panel of the moon roof needed to be removed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11747746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ypsilanti, MI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The wiper has stopped working. The part number, LJ6Z17508J, is listed under NHTSA bulletin 26V117, but Ford claims that the vehicle is not covered under the recall. Please expand the safety recall to include this VIN number. This is a dangerous situation!

NHTSA complaint #11745569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roseau, MN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The windshield wipers on this vehicle just stop working without warning. However this vehicle is not included in the wiper recall even though it experiences the same failures as the vehicles covered under the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11741178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prairie Grove, AR

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The sunscreen on the panoramic sunroof has become detached and the shade falls causing a visibility issue.

NHTSA complaint #11741042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garden City, KS

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Several recalls on my vehicle and now ford is calling the expensive ones "customer satisfaction notice". Theres nothing satisfying about bad fuel injectors. Also , the wiper motor Description On your vehicle, the front windshield wiper Motor may become inoperative or may operate intermittently. Safety Risk This may result in reduced visibility or loss of visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Parts are not available. Ford Motor Company is working to provide parts for this repair. When the remedy becomes available, Ford Motor Company will notify you via mail to schedule a service appointment with your dealer for repairs to be completed free of charge. The remedy is anticipated to be available in Q2 2026. Safety Risk SYNC screen update This may result in the image displayed being inverted or flipped, this includes all buttons. While in reverse the rearview camera image, buttons, and camera guidelines may also be inverted or flipped. A rearview camera that does not correctly display a correct image in reverse can reduce your view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. SYNC screen update Issue Date 2025-07-16 Campaign 25S76/25V467 Description On your vehicle there is a possibility that a fuel injector may crack, which may result in fuel accumulating on the top of the engine. Safety Risk Liquid fuel andor fuel vapor that accumulates near a hot surface, such as hot engine or exhaust components may ignite resulting in an under-hood fire, increasing the risk of injury. Its endless and they refuse to take accountability for their junk vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11740127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nova, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The last 2 weeks my wipers have nearly quit functioning. They don’t go all the way up, will stop in the middle of the windshield, will not go down and when I use the wiper stick to try and get them to go back down the back wiper will start going as well even when I’m not hitting the switch for the back wiper. For the last year, three out of four TPS sensors have quit working as well. The dealership checked them and said they’re reading as if they’re working but the alert is on my dash and they do not read the tire pressure.

NHTSA complaint #11738946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, VA

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11736124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Braselton, GA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Subject: Request for Buyback or Trade Assistance – 2020 Ford Escape SE To Whom It May Concern, I am writing regarding my 2020 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L engine, which is currently subject to multiple open safety recalls. Of particular concern is the active fuel injector recall involving a risk of engine compartment fire. I understand that the current remedy does not fully address the underlying defect and that additional actions may still be pending. In addition, my vehicle is affected by other safety-related recalls, compounding concerns about reliability and safe operation. Given the nature of these issues—specifically the fire risk and the lack of a complete and permanent repair— as well as a history of over 15 recalls on this vehicle, I am increasingly concerned about the safety, usability, and value of my vehicle. This situation has significantly impacted my confidence in operating the vehicle. Based on these circumstances, I am formally requesting that Ford Motor Company review my case for: • A manufacturer buyback, or • Substantial trade assistance toward a new Ford vehicle, or • Appropriate goodwill compensation reflecting the ongoing safety concerns and diminished value I would appreciate prompt review by a case manager and a written response outlining Ford’s proposed resolution. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss next steps. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11734477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phillipsburg, NJ

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The component that has failed is my front windshield wiper motor causing visibility issues. It has been confirmed by a service technician. No it has not been inspected by the police only by an auto shop. No it was not any warning. It was raining I turned on wipers and it malfunction. Got stuck in the middle of windshield and I had to pull over and keep turning on wipers for it to go back into normal position

NHTSA complaint #11733933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Royal Oak, MI

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention), and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11734023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Doylestown, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I purchased this vehicle brand new from Dunphy Ford in Philadelphia, PA, along with a premium extended warranty, with the expectation that Ford would stand behind both its product and coverage commitments. This past weekend, while traveling at highway speeds 75+mph, the sun/panoramic roof began emitting a loud rumbling noise. When I attempted to open it to address the issue, the sunroof liner bunched up in the rear of the vehicle, blocking my rearview visibility and creating an immediate safety hazard. I was forced to quickly close the sunroof while driving to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Although the fabric returned to position, the interior cover failed to re-seat properly and remains dislodged creating a situation that causes me not to be able to use the sunroof safely due to visibility concerns. This is a safety defect. There are many documented cases of this issue out on the internet with Ford Escapes and other Ford models having this issue. The dealership wants $2,000 just to diagnose the issue. This situation—and the lack of meaningful support by Ford—has been extremely disappointing. Independent research suggests this issue is well-documented and recurring across Ford vehicles, and given that it compromises rear visibility, it constitutes a legitimate safety risk. I find it unacceptable that customers are expected to absorb substantial repair costs for a well known defect that directly affects driver safety. This should be a safety recall. This issue should not be dismissed or minimized, particularly given the safety implications. I was truly panicking while driving above 75MPH and I am an experienced driver. If this had been a newer driver, this could have been horrible. I could not see at all out of my back window. I would greatly appreciate the NHTSA look into this safety risk. Please see attached pictures for reference. Tons of customer complaints out on the internet. Thank you kindly for looking into this matter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC

NHTSA complaint #11732722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Diego, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The manufacturer is unable to remedy the safety recall 26V123 & 26V117 for my vehicle in a timely manner.

NHTSA complaint #11731711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Kansas City, MO

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the sunroof shade was loose, bouncing, and sagging while opening the sunroof. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was determined that the part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #11730747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Niagara Falls, NY

VISIBILITY

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 26V123000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION), 26V117000 (VISIBILITY) and ( 25V829000 (STRUCTURE); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11730194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The fabric covering for the sunroof detached and is now sagging down so that you can not see out the rearview mirror.

NHTSA complaint #11725863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owosso, MI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Liftgate hinge cover loose on car but not under the recall. Caused back glass to shatter while driving

NHTSA complaint #11723476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsville, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Wiper started going at a regular pace even when the speed was set to max or slow now the wiper won't go up. Looks like the wiper motor has gone bad and this seems to be the same issue with the recall put in place recall number 26s14.

NHTSA complaint #11722470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

My recall was dated last march 2025. Its almost 1 year and they havents fixed the car yet. It has a recall on fuel injectors.

NHTSA complaint #11722139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylor, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Sunroof shade blocking rear visibility when open, when open it’s not rolling up into cavity

NHTSA complaint #11711677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ellington, CT

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The windshield wipers will slow to an intermittent-type speed while working in either low or high on a wet windshield. Ford had recall 23B35 on the Bronco for this exact issue; the fix was a reflash of the vehicle's windshiel wiper motor.

NHTSA complaint #11704402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

My rear view camera on my ford escape 2020 either is blue color or black out or doesn’t work at all. It has been like this for a few months . The ford dealership has told me that my vehicle is not part of the recall. So what should I do now? Have had a lot of issues and haven’t owned the car for only a year .

NHTSA complaint #11699450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Was opening the sunroof cover and one side of the tracks came off. It will not close all the way now.

NHTSA complaint #11694229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sandusky, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

shade over sun roof folded up and dropped down. blocks the rear view can't see anything behind out back. folded up won't go back in keeps falling.

NHTSA complaint #11693391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsburg, IN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

In my Ford 2020 Escape Hybrid Titanium AWD car, Sunroof shade got misaligned and not closing anymore, resulting in more heat flowing into the car creating impacts inside. Also, as per others comments and online forums, there is a chance that this shade would fall on the passengers during the drive if not taken care quickly, resulting in injuries in adults and deaths in infants. Reached to a Ford dealership to fix this issue and its costing me close to $3000. As its a design flaw from Ford, I request Ford to do a fix for free of charge or recall and fix it for their customers and address their safety concerns immediately. Appreciate your looking into this matter.

NHTSA complaint #11691796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Sioux Falls, SD

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and opening the sunroof, the interior sunshade was opened, but the sunshade failed to close as intended and remained stuck open. The vehicle was diagnosed by a Ford mechanic, who informed the contact that the sunshade sealant had deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA complaint #11678177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Highland, MI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Driving from Michigan to Missouri [XXX] and the wipers stopped working once we got to Missouri. Called Ford dealership in Springfield and they could not fit us in their schedule, so we took it to a Goodyear certified service center and they said it was the wiper motor. we fixed and eventually drove back to Michigan. About1 week later, the windshield wipers again, stopped working, I called the shop in Springfield and they told me to take it to a shop in Westland Michigan (Redford Auto/Goodyear Certified) because the part was under warranty. I did that, they replaced the part (motor). Now a year later and my wipers are not working again. They stop midstream and get stuck. They are inoperable again. Never in my lifetime of driving (I am [XXX] ) have I ever repaired a wiper motor, let alone 2 x and the problem is still not fixed. I do believe this is faulty by manufacturer and needs to be looked into. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11677395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2020 Ford Escape problems

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