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2020 Ford Escape: gas smell in the cabin

15 of the 1,621 complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape describe gas smell in the cabin.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
47,000
recalls
3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Gas smell in the cabin by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Fuel system · 106,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an engine control software update was performed as an interim repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, smoke was coming from under the hood and the RPM was fluctuating. Additionally, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle even while the vehicle was turned off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact not to drive the vehicle due to a fire risk. The contact scheduled a service appointment with Mike Carpino Ford Pittsburg, Inc. (1097 US-69, Pittsburg, KS 66762). The manufacturer was contacted several times, and a case was opened, but the contact was denied the contact information for the engineering department and towing assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Fuel system · 53,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and being refueled, and the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact observed a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Fuel system · 47,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine control software was updated as an interim repair. The contact became aware of a strong fuel odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the issue, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Body, Fuel system · 38,697 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V829000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 38,697.

Filed Dec 19, 2025 · Fuel system · AL

Cabin fills with gasoline fumes when on. Took it to local dealership to have Manufacturer Recall Number25S76, the federal safety agency Recall Number25V467 repaired. Dealership can reproduce the issue of gasoline fumes filling the cabin, but says they can't repair the vehicle until parts become available. I contacted Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford headquarters tell me the parts aren't yet available for the recall and they will not be able to assist. The case number for my call with Ford headquarters is XXX. The safety of myself and my children is at risk because LIQUID FUEL AND OR 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 according to the recall. Please help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

While driving and idling, strong exhaust fumes enter the cabin, especially when the vehicle is in park or stopped at a traffic light. Air recirculation shuts off by itself and the airflow is very weak even on high settings. Remote start caused the cabin to fill with fumes before entering the vehicle, leading to headache and difficulty breathing within minutes. Symptoms are consistent with carbon monoxide exposure. Cabin and engine air filter is brand new. Just replaced 12/13/2025. Fumes are significantly worse at idle, suggesting an exhaust manifold crack or turbo exhaust leak. This is a serious safety hazard, and I am concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning and risk of losing consciousness while driving. It was so bad I had to have all windows open and the heat off in 30 or below temperature just to breathe. I have a very small child with heart problems and I'm concerned my vehicle is no longer safe to drive.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I am smelling gas every time I put gas and it won't start after putting gas there's a strong smell of gas inside my vehicle the recall has not been fixed yet I am a single mother and this is a safety risk issue how do I go forward powertrain is also still coming up I have other things popping up saying recalls were never fixed please help

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Fuel system · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that the repair would not be performed unless there was a fuel odor present. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jul 23, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · SC

I am the owner of a 2020 Ford escape. My vehicle falls under the recall dealing with defective fuel injectors. The dealership preformed the suggested service or installing the drain tube and updating the software. I’ve been noticing that my vehicle has a slight hesitation while accelerating in speed and I would periodically smell the strong scent of gasoline, but no check engine or warning lights ever come on. Here recently while driving, my car started slowing down unexpectedly by itself and started idling extremely rough, almost like a tractor and the check engine light came on. I pulled over in the nearest parking lot, turned the car off and looked under the hood but didn’t see anything out of the norm except a small wet spot on the engine cover and there was the slight smell of gasoline. I didn’t think anything of it because I had recently had my oil changed and thought it was probably just a slight spill from there they and refilled the engine oil. I was able to restart my car and everything seemed to have went back to normal. I was able to drive my car to the nearest auto part store where they were able to run a diagnostic scan to see why my check engine light was on. The scan pulled two error codes: the first one being P0302 which is a cylinder 2 misfire, and the second one being P3402 which is a Cylinder 1 Deactivation/Intake Valve Control Circuit Performance. I called ford to see what could be done and they informed me that there was currently no fix for my vehicle. And when asked what i should do the person on the phone told me to “drive the car until it was inoperable”. Which is absolutely crazy to me!

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 95,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clanking noise coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust cap and catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the gasoline odor was still present. Additionally, the contact stated that the AWD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the AWD system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · CA

I began to smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. This persisted for several days and I brought it in to the Ford Dealer. They found that there’s an exhaust leak down at the oxygen sensor that doesn’t seal against the catalytic converter. This is a very dangerous issue with this vehicle as it can kill the occupants of the vehicle while the car is being driven.

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Fuel system, Locks · 28,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the doors failed to close securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 28,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported July 11, 2025 · 694,271 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 25V467000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported March 14, 2025 · 33,576 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 25V165000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported November 18, 2022 · 521,746 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 22V859000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2020 Ford Escape fuel smell

Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2020 Ford Escape?

15 of 1,621 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape (1%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

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

There are 3 recalls and 3 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 28Fire or smoke 25Backup camera 24Harsh shifting 24Transmission failure 24Adaptive cruise 23Shudder 19Wipers 17Key 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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