2020 Ford Escape Fuel System Problems
NHTSA lists 194 Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Ford Escape, 12% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 51,486 miles. Three related recalls (22V859000, 25V165000, 25V467000) cover cracked fuel injectors that can leak fuel, and NHTSA logs 2 fires tied to this area.
- Fuel System complaints
- 194
- 12% of 1,599
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 51,486 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Owners report a gasoline odor inside the cabin after starting the vehicle, sometimes tied to a cracked fuel injector.
- Some owners report smoke and fire coming from the engine compartment while driving, in one case destroying the front of the vehicle.
- Multiple owners report receiving a recall notice (22V859000) for the fuel system but being told replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
- Owners report the check engine light turning on and off with an evaporative emission code (P04F0) without a permanent fix.
- One owner reported a coolant temperature warning light and visible smoke from under the hood while stopping at low speed.
When 2020 Ford Escape fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 10, 2020, latest Sep 11, 2026.
Fuel System recalls for the 2020 Ford Escape
- NHTSA 25V467000Jul 11, 2025Fuel System694,271 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software. In addition, dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly and fuel injectors, free of charge. As an interim repair, dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed August 29, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S76. This recall expands and replaces previous recall numbers 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-859, 24V187, and 25V165 will need to have the new final remedy performed once it is available.
- NHTSA 25V165000Mar 14, 2025Fuel System33,576 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S21.
- NHTSA 22V859000Nov 18, 2022Fuel System521,746 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed January 9, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Fuel System complaints by Escape model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Escape fuel system reliable?
- NHTSA has logged 194 Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Escape, 12% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 51,486 miles. That share is higher than most Escape model years except 2010-2012, 2021, and 2022.
- Does the 2020 Ford Escape have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three related recalls: 22V859000, 25V165000, and 25V467000, all covering fuel injectors that can crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment on 1.5L Escapes.
- Can a fuel leak on the 2020 Escape cause a fire?
- NHTSA complaint data for this area includes 2 reported fires, with no crashes or injuries recorded.
- What is the fix for the fuel injector recall?
- Per the recall summaries, dealers update the engine control or powertrain control module software and, in the 25V467000 campaign, replace the high-pressure fuel rail assembly.
- Did owners have trouble getting the recall repair done?
- Several complaints in the sample describe owners being notified of recall 22V859000 but told that replacement parts were not yet available, delaying the repair.