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2020 Ford Escape: fire, smoke or burning smell

25 of the 1,621 complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
2%
typical mileage
90,000
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 57 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

Recall on the fuel injector , recieved a recall alert in the mail . Informed me that Ford dose not recommend not driving the vehicle. Caught fire while I was driving it and burned up .

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · OK

I've taken my car 3 times for the same recalls 1st time was to jack Kisse for power train and fuel injector he told me the recall wasn't to my car I argued I can tell something was wrong with my car it keeps stalling and it's going to end up killing me in traffic from the fuel injectors so I take it too [XXX] of Norton and broken arrow they tell me after sitting there for 8 hours that the powertrain is not taking it takes 4 hours to do it and they only have 30 minutes left and all of a sudden it takes that's a bunch of crap cuz there was only 30 minutes anyway I leave still notice something then a wrench and engine light come on so I take it again were I was charged 've taken my car three different times to get my powertrain recall and fuel injector recall fixed they have failed to do so... and now I have a wrench and engine light showing up on my car I take again cuz my app is still tells me that I have recalls for a powertrain and fuelI injector recalls all they did was charge me to get the code when I knew it was for the recalls over $200 the very next day the lights come right back on my powertrain and fuel injector never been fixed my they told me I have an open fuel line and let me drive off with it now I'm concerned that my car is going to catch on fire especially in the heat and what do I do if you just taking it back for them to not do anything to my car and now I have the ranch and the engine light coming on and off a different time one day one minute will be the ranch next will be the engine sometimes it's both and I have records of it I keep trying to report it to you guys and I'm not hearing anything back I don't know what else to do I believe that my car is a lemon and they're not going to be able to fix it since I'm taking it three times already please contact me back to let me what I should know where I should do thank you you reach me at [XXX] or at my email [XXX] I prefer you contact me through email thank your INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · SC

Got recalls notice but the local dealership in st george SC (family ford) told me they wont do the brake or fuel injector recall until i have issues so i guess until my car catches on fire with my kids in it then they will do something

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · TN

I have a 2020 Ford Escape SE That I am having a lot of issues with the transmission. I looked to see what kind of recall is for on it and I'll see there is a lot of complaints related to the transmission and when I called Ford they said mine was not included with the recalls on the transmission although my transmission is also jerking, hard shifting, along with a shuddering, loud clunking when you shift and to reverse or drive, Also my park break has been kicking on by itself and it's done it to me while sitting in traffic, decrease in acceleration (it about got me hit on the highway) as the car could not get gas It would drop dramatically from 70 down to nothing almost on interstate I-75 highway. Also I've had a burning smell coming from the engine. My car is now at the transmission shop and they are trying to figure out what's going on with it I've had it to AutoZone for them to put it on their tester and a lot of transmission codes came up and one of them so happen to bend the clutch solenoid which could be caused by leaking fluids! I called Ford the corporate office that and they said well you're 20 20 Ford Escape It's not the one in the recalls or the will with the transmission issues but yet it is doing the exact same thing as the other ones that are listed!! It has just a little over 100,000 mi on it The car's not driven hard whatsoever. I was not giving much warning about the transmission The little wrench thing came on flashing and then suddenly these things start happening while on the highway, but then did not stay on! I had to drive my car 45 mi at speed about 30 to get it home.. I do use my car once in a while to drive Lyft which now I'm without being able to make some extra money for groceries and whatnot because of this car! Also the one of the recalls that is on this car pertains to the transmission updates and according to Ford they don't have the tool to update it but yet this update could affect the functioning of the transmission.. I was at ris

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the vehicle and an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel injector failure. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the parts were unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · ME

I am driving a car that can potentially catch on fire due to a fuel injector problem that they can't seem to fix. I have high anxiety about it.The parts for the recall have been on order for almost a year and I do not feel safe driving my vehicle. I have a five year loan to pay off and I do not want this vehicle. I will be contacting a lawyer also.

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

Ford should act quicker than they are doing. The said vehicle could catch on fire anytime and Ford does not see an emergency here to get parts and take care of problem, they will wait until a life has been taken or someone is badly burned. We are talking of a fire risk here, like the Ford Pinto which could catch on fire anytime possible if hit on the back of car. This could be the same problem that Ford needs to address.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Fuel system · 77,500 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud vibrating sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unsure where the vibrating sound was coming from. The dealer was made aware of the concern. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not available. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle because the vehicle might catch on fire. The contact wanted to return the vehicle back to the dealer due to the safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,500.

Filed Dec 6, 2025 · MI

As a firefighter, I find it concerning that this recall has been issued for so long and no resolution has been found. The amount of vehicle fires that I see with reports of it "just starting to smoke, and then was on fire when I pulled over!" can easily be explained by fuel leaking into the hot engine compartment and combusting. This is my wife's primary vehicle, so I do not see it as fair that we have to send her on her way while there is no resolution to a potentially catastrophic issue. These vehicles need to be pulled off the roads before someone dies!

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Engine · WA

Head gasket got damaged and there was coolant leakage to the engine. There was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes and we did not want to drive the car. So we towed the car to the Ford dealership and they confirmed the issue. Currently they are repairing the car.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Electrical · KY

My Ford currently has 80K miles on it with no accidents and all recalls fixed by the dealer. This morning when I was driving my kids to school, a light I've never seen appeared on the bottom right hand side of the drivers screen. The light was a red triangle with an exclamation point inside of it. Not long after I noticed the light, we started to smell something burning and our car began loosing power. I pulled over immediately and turned the car off. I googled the meaning of the light. Apparently, it was a "Stop Safely Now" light. The various reasons online could not pinpoint any reason I could come up with. I popped the hood, checked the oil, coolant, and I checked that the hybrid battery located in the trunk had a good connection. Everything was fine, as far as I could tell. When I restarted the car, after about 15 mins of investigations and online research, the light was gone and so was the smell. However, now I am super nervous to drive this car on the highway. What if that light comes on again and I loose power when all the cars around me are driving 70 mph? The chances of getting rear ended and seriously hurt are a very real possibility. What if my kids are in the car? I'm scared.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · MI

The exhaust gas cooler (EGR) leaked coolant into the intake manifold and mixed with oil causing the engine over-temperature light to come on, a burning smell from the engine bay, loss of power while driving and while smoke to billow from the exhaust. I had my escape towed to the Ford dealership and their mechanic installed a new K2GZ 9F464-B EGR cooler, bled and filled the anti-freeze, drained the contaminated oil and installed a new oil filter and oil. Total cost of repairs was $1100.52

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm)Reported December 20, 2024 · 20,484 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S79.

Recall number 24V954000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported May 13, 2022 · 27 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L hybrid powertrains. Insufficient welds inside the high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on July 12, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S33.

Recall number 22V331000 · Recall details

Electrical system: body control module/bcmReported October 15, 2020 · 689 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with a key-start ignition system. The Body Control Module (BCM) intermittently may not pick up the signal from the rear Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors or the Remote Key Fob. In the event of a low tire pressure condition, the TPMS system may not provide an adequate warning.
Risk
Low tire pressure may lead to poor vehicle handling and a possible loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the BCM, free of charge. Owners are advised that two key fobs are required for the repair to be completed. The recall began December 1, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S59.

Recall number 20V635000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2020 Ford Escape fire or smoke

Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2020 Ford Escape?

25 of 1,621 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape (2%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford Escape?

There are 3 recalls and 57 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford Escape

Check engine light 74Power windows 60Door locks 49Collision warning 44Grinding brakes 38Jerking 33Hesitation 32Loss of power 29Stalling 28Backup camera 24Harsh shifting 24Transmission failure 24Adaptive cruise 23Shudder 19Wipers 17Fuel smell 15Key fob 13Won't shift 13ABS 11Engine failure 11Overheating 11Fuel leak 9Slipping 9Headlights 8Warning lights 8No deployment 7Lane assist 7Ball joint 6Screen failure 6Misfire 6Won't start 6Knocking 5

All model years of the Ford Escape

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