Used Ford Escape Buyer's Guide (2020–2024)
A roomy compact SUV with a long recall list. Check the 1.5L fuel injector fire recall, the hybrid engine recall and plug-in battery recalls.
Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The fourth generation Escape arrived for 2020 with a new body, a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo as the base engine, a 2.0L turbo option, a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. It was refreshed for 2023 with new styling and an ST-Line trim.
It is a practical, efficient SUV, but it has one of the longest recall lists in its class. The biggest ones cover fuel injectors that can crack and leak on the 1.5L engine, engine failures that can lead to fires on the 2.5L hybrid and plug-in hybrid, and high-voltage battery cells on the plug-in hybrid.
Several of those recalls were redone after the first fix. NHTSA opened an inquiry into the injector fix, and Ford later agreed to replace the injectors. So a past repair may not be the last one. A VIN check and the dealer paperwork matter a lot here.
If the recalls are done and the records are clean, an Escape can be a good value. The regular hybrid is the fuel saver, and the plug-in hybrid adds electric driving range.
- 1.5L EcoBoost turbo 3-cyl
- 2.0L EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl
- 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
- 2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
Used Ford Escape buyer's guide · Watch on YouTube. The narration is computer generated.
Fourth generation (2020 to 2024), sold as model years 2020–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cyl | 2020–2024 | 8-speed automatic | The base engine, rated 180 hp at launch, with cylinder deactivation. It carries the fuel injector and oil separator recalls. |
| 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cyl | 2020–2024 | 8-speed automatic | Rated 250 hp. Offered on Titanium at launch. After the 2023 update, Green Car Reports lists it for the Platinum with all-wheel drive. |
| 2.5L hybrid | 2020–2024 | Electronic CVT | About 198 to 200 hp combined, front or all-wheel drive. It carries the engine failure and fire recalls. |
| 2.5L plug-in hybrid | 2020–2024 | Electronic CVT | Front-wheel drive only. For 2023, Green Car Reports lists 210 hp, a 14.4 kWh battery and 37 miles of electric range. |
SOURCE Motor1: 2020 Ford Escape debut (includes Ford release text) · Green Car Reports: 2023 Escape Hybrid gets ST-Line, PHEV doesn't
- S, SE and SEL (2020 to 2022) These came standard with the 1.5L engine.
- SE Sport and Titanium (2020 to 2022) These came standard with the hybrid. Ford's launch release lists the 2.0L for Titanium.
- Base and Active (2023 and later) The lower trims after the refresh, with the 1.5L engine.
- ST-Line (2023 and later) A sporty-looking trim offered with gas or hybrid power, but not as a plug-in.
- Platinum (2023 and later) The top trim, offered with the hybrid or the 2.0L with all-wheel drive.
- Plug-in Hybrid A separate model with front-wheel drive only.
- 2024 gas It sits outside the big 1.5L injector recalls (2020 to 2023) and the hybrid engine fire recalls (2020 to 2023). It still has smaller recalls, so check the VIN.
- 2023 and 2024 hybrid, with recalls closed The 2023 hybrid is in engine recall 23V-380, where Ford replaces the long-block, so ask for that paperwork. The 2024 hybrid is outside the hybrid engine fire recalls in our NHTSA search.
- 2020 It is in the most recalls: injector, oil separator, hybrid engine fire, hybrid neutral shift, brake pads (25V-693), wiper motor and plug-in battery recalls.
- 2020 to 2022 1.5L These are in all four injector recalls, and the newest fix (25V-467) replaces the injectors and fuel rail.
- 2020 to 2024 plug-in hybrid Three battery cell recalls apply, and letters for two of them were only mailed in September 2026.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
A fuel injector on the 1.5L engine can crack and leak fuel into the engine bay, which raises the fire risk. Recall 22V-859 covered 2020 to 2023 Escapes with software for leak detection and a drain tube. It was expanded by 24V-187, and some cars repaired wrong were recalled again under 25V-165. NHTSA opened recall query RQ24-008 into the fix. In July 2025 Ford filed 25V-467 for 2020 to 2022 Escapes, adding new injectors and a new fuel rail, and NHTSA closed its inquiry in November 2025.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recalls 22V-859, 24V-187, 25V-165 and 25V-467, look and smell for fuel around the injectors, and scan the engine computer for fuel and misfire codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-859 · NHTSA recall 24V-187 · NHTSA recall 25V-165 · NHTSA recall 25V-467 · CarBuzz: NHTSA ends investigation into Ford fuel injector recall
Recall 22V-191 covers 2020 to 2022 Escapes with the 1.5L engine. The oil separator housing can crack and leak oil, which can catch fire on hot engine parts. Dealers inspect and replace the separator and seals as needed.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recall 22V-191 and look for oil on the engine and exhaust.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-191
On 2020 to 2023 Escape hybrids and plug-in hybrids with the 2.5L engine, NHTSA says an engine failure can release oil and fuel vapor near hot parts and start a fire. Recall 22V-484 changed the under-engine shield and grille shutters. Recall 23V-380 added engine software, with a long-block replacement if a rod bearing failure is found, and a long-block swap on some 2023 models. Recall 25V-345 fixed cars repaired wrong under 23V-380. Some 2021 hybrids were also recalled under 22V-109 for a badly made crankshaft.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recalls 22V-484, 23V-380, 25V-345 and 22V-109, listen for knocking or rattling, check for oil smoke or smell, and scan for engine codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-484 · NHTSA recall 23V-380 · NHTSA recall 25V-345 · NHTSA recall 22V-109
Three recalls cover battery cells in the plug-in hybrid that can short inside, causing loss of drive power or a fire. They are 24V-954 (2020 to 2024), 25V-789 (2020 to 2024) and 26V-091 (2022 to 2026). Owners were told not to charge, or to use only Auto EV mode and limit charging, until repaired. Dealers update battery and hybrid software and replace the pack if needed.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recalls 24V-954, 25V-789 and 26V-091, scan the battery control module for codes and test charging and electric mode.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-954 · NHTSA recall 25V-789 · NHTSA recall 26V-091
Recall 24V-330 says hybrid control software on some 2020 to 2022 Escape hybrids can shift into neutral without warning and cut drive power. Some cars were fixed wrong and recalled again under 25V-133, and 25V-881 added more 2020 Escape hybrids. A few early hybrids also had battery recalls for sudden power loss (22V-331, 22V-149 and 21V-869).
WE CHECK We check the VIN for these recalls and road test in city and highway driving, watching for sudden loss of drive or warning lights.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-330 · NHTSA recall 25V-133 · NHTSA recall 25V-881 · NHTSA recall 22V-331 · NHTSA recall 22V-149 · NHTSA recall 21V-869
Recall 21V-922 covers 2021 and 2022 Escapes whose brake linings may have been made wrong, which can mean longer stops. Recall 25V-693 added 2020 models. Dealers replace the front brake pads.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recalls 21V-922 and 25V-693, measure pad thickness and do a brake test on the road.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-922 · NHTSA recall 25V-693
Recall 26V-117, filed in March 2026, covers about 605,000 vehicles including 2020 to 2022 Escapes. The wiper motor may fail. NHTSA says interim letters went out in April 2026 and a final fix is expected in October 2026.
WE CHECK We run the wipers at every speed and check the VIN for recall 26V-117.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 26V-117
Recall 26V-123 says the rearview image on 2020 to 2022 Escapes can flip or invert. Recall 25V-442 covers a blank image or one that stays on after backing, and 25V-315 covers some 2023 and 2024 models. These are software updates.
WE CHECK We shift into reverse several times, check that the image is correct and clears, and check the VIN for open camera recalls.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 26V-123 · NHTSA recall 25V-442 · NHTSA recall 25V-315
Recall 25V-372 covers a small number of 2023 to 2025 Escapes whose cylinder head plugs can fail and leak oil. Recall 24V-634 covers injectors built without O-ring support discs. Block heater recalls 25V-685 (2020 to 2022) and 25V-343 (2023 to 2025) cover heaters that can crack, leak coolant or overheat when plugged in.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for these recalls, look for oil, fuel and coolant leaks, and ask whether the block heater is ever used.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 25V-372 · NHTSA recall 24V-634 · NHTSA recall 25V-685 · NHTSA recall 25V-343
- Run the VIN for open recalls and ask which were redone after a first fix.
- Look and smell for fuel, oil and coolant leaks under the hood.
- Listen for engine knock on a hybrid, and scan all modules for stored codes.
- On a plug-in, test charging and electric mode and scan the battery system.
- Road test for loss of drive, rough shifts and brake feel.
- Check the wipers at all speeds and the rearview camera image.
- Read the service records for recall visits and oil changes.
- Dealer paperwork for each 1.5L injector recall, and especially the injector and fuel rail replacement from 25V-467.
- On a hybrid or plug-in, proof of the engine recalls 22V-484 and 23V-380, and any long-block replacement.
- On a plug-in, proof of the battery software updates and any pack replacement.
- Oil changes on time. A low oil level or overdue changes on a hybrid engine is a red flag.
- Hybrid software updates, including the neutral shift fix 24V-330 and its follow-ups.
- Brake pad replacement under 21V-922 or 25V-693.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Ford Escape you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
What is the Ford Escape fuel injector recall?
Is the Ford Escape Hybrid reliable?
Can I charge a used Escape plug-in hybrid?
What engines does the 2020 to 2024 Escape have?
Does the Escape plug-in hybrid have all-wheel drive?
Why were some Escape recalls done twice?
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