Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon visual inspection, there was excessive corrosion on the driver's side door panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was water entering through the front body hinge pillar and down to the rocker panel. The contact was informed that the water should drain out, but instead was causing the excessive corrosion to all four doors. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's side door check arm hinge failed, and the door would not properly open and close. The contact had to enter and exit the vehicle through the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact of an upcoming campaign to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud noise came from the hood with the hood vibrating. The contact stated he had opened and closed the hood several times however, the vibration and the loud noise continued. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic tightened the adjustable hood bumpers however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the president of the dealer test drove the vehicle and verified that there was a failure. The dealer president informed the contact that the dealer could not correct the failure. The contact stated that he was also informed that he could take the vehicle to 3 other dealers to diagnose the vehicle under the Lemon Law provision. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver's side door had experienced multiple defects. The contact stated that a metal piece on the door had formed 3 holes on the inside of the door. As a result, the door would swing open without hesitation; in addition, the window failed to roll down as needed. The vehicle was initially taken to a local dealer who could not service the vehicle and referred her to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was filed. The vehicle was then taken to Hubler Ford Center, Inc. (2605 IN-130 #44, Shelbyville, IN 46176) and diagnosed and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer agreed to cover a part of the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer performed the software reprogramming; however, a week after the recall repair, the display screen and rearview camera shut off again. Additionally, a piece of interior ceiling trim fell and struck the contact's arm, resulting in a minor injury. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired due to the dealer's request for a diagnostic fee for the recall remedy inadequacy. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was informed that the vehicle needed an unknown oil. The vehicle was repaired, but the check engine light continued to be illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that after he opened the front driver's side door, he heard a clicking sound upon closing the door. The contact then stated that he noticed that the front driver's side door hinge had detached from the door and the door welds had fractured. Additionally, the contact stated that he had to hold the front driver's side door while driving to his residence. The contact then stated that he had to dismantle the front driver's side door to be able to safely drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle mileage was over the warrant and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Since the first time I experienced a braking failure incident I have done a lot of research&visits to mechanics to retrieve codes thrown from the car off diagnostic machines. Replacing the hcu carries a premium price tag of $5K-7K. Prior to the first accident,there is no obvious way that I could have damaged the hcu with my very normal driving habits (I.e.no history of towing, no long downhill braking)&the hcu is not a component susceptible to wear to the point of early failure. I believe that the Escape hybrids braking system is defective by design (hence the TSB)&fault lies with Ford.I consider this brake failure very serious&a problem that Ford had never bothered to notify me about or recall.my attempts to get Ford's attention on this matter have been fruitless.to summarize NHTSA is not concerned b/c nobody has gotten killed by these defective brakes. …
I heard a loud clunky from the right rear wheel well, louder when going over bumps. Upon inspection I observed the entire wheel well was missing it's protective coating and flaking rust/corrosion was everywhere with exposed white fiberglass sheeting visible the right rear shock is exposed, missing bolts and with the bracket missing the other side of the care (left rear) does not exhibit this rust. With palpation of the right rusted rear well a person can move the remaining pieces. This is very unsafe and can not imagine why there is not a recall as other reviews online describe the same problem. I called Ford: no assistance or recall as of this date. I reside in wisconsin and took care to remove underbody salt to no avail, evidentially.
NHTSA investigations
Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (105), 2021 (32), 2005 (25), 2006 (9) and 2022 (7) model years. Body complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape Hybrid body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Ford Escape Hybrid model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Escape Hybrid body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (151 mentions), followed by the body › door (15).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.